Homework For Parents?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2005
Homework For Parents?
21
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 3:52pm
In an effort to get parents more involved in their children’s education, a high school English teacher in New Jersey is asking his students’ parents to complete weekly homework assignments. Some parents seemed happy to revisit their high school years, others were more resistant. What do you think? Is this is a good idea? Would you be willing to do homework for your child’s class?

 
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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 4:01pm
I guess my reaction would depend on the reason for the assignments. Would it just be to ensure that parents appreciate what their kids are doing? I don't need busywork. Would it be to "force" parents to spend more quality time with their kids? We happen to spend a lot of time together as a family already, and I don't need a HS teacher preaching to me about that. On the other hand,if there were some educational value to it that would assist the teacher in teaching the kids in the class, I'd probably do it. I'm a nerd, and have always liked homework, especially when I'm learning something too and when it's for an important purpose. For example, I could see an English teacher having their students write about their experiences as adolescents, and at the same time ask the parents to write about their own high school years,and then bringing these materials together in class for some broader purpose.
Avatar for mjaye2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 4:49pm

My first reaction was not no, but heck no!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-2007
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 5:09pm
Avatar for mjaye2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 5:53pm

Thank you.


And nope, nothing in there that makes me change my mind.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-1999
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 6:57pm
My first thought is, I already work 45-50 hours a week, and then I have to do all the housework, be my DD's taxi, I volunteer at a lot of her events, plus I'm actively involved in my church.
Avatar for bookwormmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2003
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 7:14pm

I don't think I would mind doing these assignments if they were required for an English class. As long as it wasn't an extremely long assignment.


I have always enjoyed being involved in my kids schools, not just the PTA type stuff, but the classrooms too. I still read with Jaryd and he is in 10th grade. We both love it, we have adult novels that we read, more I read and he listens, but we both enjoy this time together.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 7:26pm
Count me in on the 'heck no' category.

 

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 8:01pm

Young and male- obviously not a middle aged woman who works 40+ hours a week YEAR round and then comes home and must get dinner on the table and deal with housework, pet issues(have I mentioned the Golden Retrievers golden mouth-$650 and counting)

Oh, I opted not to walk my daily 2 miles in the dark since I got home so late today but I would benefit from that far more than English homework

Heck, NO!

Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Thu, 10-04-2007 - 11:15pm

Heck no!

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2006
Fri, 10-05-2007 - 6:44am

I finally had a chance to read this article (which, I guess speaks to the issue already raised about having time to do homework). I think this teacher is totally off-base. I agree (obviously) that being involved and knowledgeable about your kids work is a good thing, and I try to do that. But I really resent the teacher (and I agree it's galling that he's young, male, and probably not a parent) dictating HOW that involvement occurs. I actually read about half of my daughter's reading assignments last year - but because I wanted to - and we often talk about her US History homework. All this does is add one more stressor to a family's day - and one more thing for a kid to worry about (did my mom read that Whitman poem?).

As for school-home involvement - I'd rather see the TEACHERS have a weekly assignment to EMAIL ME about what's going on in class. I only find out what L tells me, and if she were in trouble grade-wise. If he thinks parent involvement is so important - the burden should fall on the teacher.

Sue, mom to Leah and Seth


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