Happiness of the Day : New John Mayer album out - WooHoo!

Gripe of the Day : Elementary School Homework

Figured I would start with a brief positive item, to retain my Zen, but really, this homework thing in elementary schools pisses me off. I mean, I am a teacher, and homework has its place and all, but I never really realized how much I hated it until I became a parent. It wasn't such a biggie in K and 1st grades, as my son wasn't as involved in other activities, but now, it has just gotten crazy. I mean, tonight, my husband and I both had meetings after school, so the kids didn't get picked up until 4:30. Which, realistically, for most families is EARLY. Then we had to have dinner by 5:30 so that my son and husband could head out to soccer by 6:15. Yikes! So here I was at the kitchen sink, cleaning up, and thinking about this whole phenomenon. I mean, I remember VERY LITTLE homework from elementary school. Projects every now and again sure, but when did honest to goodness homework become status quo? At our school, and I know this is where my son's young, non tenured teacher is coming from, it is EXPECTED that I will have a homework policy in my classroom and it is EXPECTED that I give homework 3 nights a week, minimum. Being the little rebel that I am, I find creative ways around that, but still. My son has had homework each night, and it is easy and all, but I still find it an annoyance. It takes away from our time with our family, and dictates, yet again, how we will spend our time. It is a "little black cloud" of school still hanging over our heads, when we really want to just come home and do something DIFFERENT. My kids come home and they do play outside first, then they want to zone out with some TV, God forbid, perhaps play a few video games, talk with me and my husband, help cook dinner, or just PLAY at whatever thing or toy or game they missed while away at school all day. They just want to BE. We allow children so little of that type of free, unstructured time anymore, and I am seeing this homework as just another thing on the laundry list of "grow up faster" societal pulls.

I also got to thinking, homework in a Jr. High or Highschool MIGHT get done in a studyhall. Also, don't those kids get out of school and HOUR before the elementary kid thus making for more TIME to do homework? AND, lo and behold, don't they go to bed later? Here I am, cramming more school into the 4 hours my kid has between sitter pickup and bed! IT'S INSANE!

Well, I didn't do much to retain my Zen here did I? Better luck next time, but hey, at least I got my gripe off my chest...this blog IS good for something...see Dad!

- Cheryl