Another school deep sigh moment. Time to look at the view for a few moments and breathe.
All parents have different takes on life and schooling. No one right answer. Parents can fundamentally disagree on things like schools. So I am fully aware that what O might say now won’t strike home with many. It’s just me.
These are tough times. So much stress, anxiety and fear. It’s bad enough for adults , what’s it like for our children. It must be a nightmare for them. It’s robbing them of a large chunk of their precious childhood. So I’m my opinion it’s time to cut them some slack. Clearly that view is not shared.
Late last night Hawklad had an email from one of his teachers. Sent to all the class. It was a reminder that the homework that had been set over Christmas was due tomorrow morning. The teacher wanted to remind all the class that the large piece of work had to be done on time. One quote stuck with me. The homework is due regardless of the pandemic lockdown, negatives will be issued.
Ok some parents will be happy with that. This one isn’t. For a start why are we giving out homework over Christmas? Really. It happens every holiday. Can’t we just let children enjoy the time off. Especially at this dystopian time. And then those words regardless of the pandemic lockdown. Really…. For me those 5 words sum up everything which is wrong with the school system.
For me it REALLY needs to change.
I 100% agree!! People who were kids living through the 1918-20 pandemic seem to have done just fine. There’s NO need for the ongoing, INSANE, focus on grades… provide teaching, allow kids to absorb or not at their own pace, and deal with it all later – cause that’s gonna be the outcome anyway!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s madness.
LikeLike
Our evil overlord of education resigned!! It’s more response to Rump inciting the violence earlier this week. Mostly symbolic but I’ll take it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a start. Yes I’ve heard all about Betsy…
LikeLike
It’s pretty bad when you’re so insane and evil that even your insane & evil loyalists bail out!!
LikeLike
Yes that is some going.
LikeLike
That really pisses me off. I’m sorry this is happening to you and your son. Where is the heart in all of this. Sad. So sad.
LikeLiked by 4 people
It’s just not there.
LikeLike
Luckily Isobelle is in a special college, and they do not have homework as part of the curriculum.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s how it should be.
LikeLike
I agree. We have had a couple of those emails as well and they are so frustrating. Today the PE teacher told D’s class they needed to take their school-issued iPads outside and take videos of themselves doing certain assigned soccer kicks and then submit their videos for credit. I wasn’t sitting next to D, I was listening from the kitchen, but I knew he was just staring out the window. But still, in my mind, I thought, “Well, that is a nightmare waiting to happen. We will take the failing grade I guess.” Some kids actually spoke up about how their parents were working and weren’t letting the kids outside until their workday was over. They weren’t excused, but told to be “creative.” This is such a crazy year for teachers trying to come up with assignments that work for each student but sometime they just don’t work (or maybe, aren’t worth it).
LikeLiked by 2 people
What happened to putting the child first. It shouldn’t be like this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you! This is sad and unacceptable. Our kids are missing out on so much of their childhood right now and the last thing they need is an inconsiderate teacher. I’m so sorry!!!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you
LikeLike
Oh heavens, the lack of empathy…I mean, I do understand assigning *some* work. Usually we had to read a book over the break, but that was about it. No reports or anything. Anything else just seems…yeah, why even bother having a break, then?
LikeLiked by 3 people
I don’t mind the reading a book, or watching a play stuff but this work is just a grind for them. No wonder mental,health issues amongst the young is on the rise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fully agree! Christmas break is supposed to be just that — a break! What kind of break is it if homework is assigned to be done? Sigh.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And it’s a shed load of work as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree with you on this especially about Christmas… in a pandemic! I’m so sorry it’s been difficult. Please hang in there!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
There just no empathy and care that. I feel that is just ‘fuck you’ if I would have been on the receiving end of that.
And what happened to having a Christmas break?
LikeLiked by 3 people
I heard that the government was keen to extend the school day as well…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my. Not had that one. As extend as in while at home, or in the school itself?
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t agree with you more about kids needing a break! I was never one for a lot of homework. to me it made no sense! Kids are at school all day, their brains need a break when they get home. I understood some, but the way some teachers would pile it on was crazy!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s the type of volume of homework that bugs me. At least make it fun and short.
LikeLike
Exactly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLike
I agree!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do they do that every Christmas?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Damn! Who wants homework over Christmas!
LikeLike
No one
LikeLiked by 1 person
Homework over Christmas break?? That’s insane! Here in the US there are more and more teachers embracing the concept of no homework. They give students time during the school day to get all their work done. The students might take a little home that they couldn’t finish during the school day.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s completely mad and the work is often just so biting and takes forever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No room for individuality when you can just press a button to send to everyone on the mailing list
LikeLiked by 2 people
Absolutely none.
LikeLiked by 1 person
JIMINEY CRICKET ON A MOTORSCOOTER!!
And that’s all I have to say about the mess of dog poo.
Sending HUGS!!💌💌💌💌
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Angie. Hugs to you as well ❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such an outdated approach! I’m so surprised at how things are handled in a developed country
LikeLiked by 1 person
Madness!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Completely
LikeLike
Homework over the holidays? Good grief.
I’ve seen various educationalists argue that homework is largely a waste of time. We should be moving towards less, not more.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, some quite compelling research that suggests homework is a waste of time for a large percentage of young people. Also plenty of evidence that taking a punitive approach to non-completion of homework is counterproductive. But more than ever we live in an era when opinion seems to hold greater sway than facts and it seems that too many people within the education system still hold the opinion that homework has value.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes I’ve read that as well. I heard a government consultant saying that homework was to get kids use to working long hours later in life. Wow……
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard that it’s designed to get kids use to working longer hours later in life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reading this made me bloody angry.. you know what? Those fucking teachers arent at peace so they pass it on.. for God’s sake when can kids be kids have a bloody break and kick back? This sucks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s so annoying
LikeLike
I seem to recall, rightly or wrongly, that kids in Finland get no homework yet top the tables in academic achievement in Europe.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s how it should be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My thoughts exactly
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
For too long schooling in the UK has been more of a box ticking exercise rather than an educational one.
I rarely did my school homework after a certain age and I don’t think it affected me negatively in later life. 🙂
(I liked the first post on this blog, the brexit one; interesting photo.)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you
LikeLike
Arrgh…Grinch indeed. Homework over the holidays is uncool. I feel you Hawklad! As if Covid did not give us enough stress? Here in Lil Red Dot, our schools are taking it easier in light of Covid and home school through zoom or webinars. Your school system must improve really and keep up with the times – Covid times!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has to change.
LikeLike
Good luck…maybe pressure from parents will reverse this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope so.
LikeLike
Those five words are really pretty terrible. We are having trouble motivating our 16 year old daughter who has her GCSEs this year. The absence of structure that going to school every day has left her with little to get out of bed for. She can’t go out, she can’t see her friends or family all she can do is log on to her computer, see what work she has been set and then get on with it. All kids learn differently and some will be ok right now, but for a teacher to say ‘regardless of the pandemic’ is in my view pretty disgusting and takes no account of those that are really struggling.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I thought it was so heartless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Surely some flexibility should be allowed, at the very least and a reminder just the day before…I agree, this is not the time to be adding pressure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sadly those in charge don’t see it that way.
LikeLike
I will keep it short because everyone knows my feelings about the school system over there. Reminiscent of Dickens time…..only instead of orphans it is school children being forced to outdated ideals. And that teacher good god. When I listen to T go on and on about his game he is playing right now with strategies and making alliances with other countries etc would make a great learning tool for him. Why? Because it interests him and it causes him to further research things needed so he has a better understanding of it. Things like that. While I understand the need for continuity amongst lessons I think there should also be leeway in how the children are learning their lessons at home. And being allowed to use their own study styles. It is one thing to remind another to bully. And seriously what type of a dick gives fricken homework over Christmas break? Really…..bah humbug to you too school teacher.
Hugs to you and Hawklad.
And not to bad didn’t run away too much. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hug to you. Must admit that although the call is his I’m starting to etch out a true home schooling approach. It has to be fun and interesting for him. x
LikeLike
Exactly! As long as they learn what they need to although to be honest I don’t remember a damn thing about Canadian history. Or the math I took.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t. It’s stuff they want to know.
LikeLike
So wrong. It’s getting a bit ridiculous. I am so sorry. 😔
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😔
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏
LikeLike
I completely agree with you Gary – something needs to give. It just seems that despite the pandemic, things are carrying on full steam ahead. Where is the time to adjust? Where is the compassion?
Sometimes I feel as though everyone is so afraid, they are projecting their fears and pressures rather than acting with kindness. It might seem naive, but Evee and I try to take a step back and lead with love and understanding. I think the world needs it now more than ever.
All the best,
Katie x
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world would be a much better place if we all did that xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! xx
LikeLike