Too Little, Too Much

One thing (of many!) I have learned about my students is that many of them have no homework support. Granted, for some, the parents do not speak or read English. Yet, there is always a neighbor, cousin, aunt, or SOMEONE to come to school to translate when necessary. I asked a Hispanic friend about this, and was told that many parents feel as though school is the kids' job, they have their own work to do. So, those kids have no one to check for directions to be understood, no rubrics or guidelines to be followed.
Unfortunately, the quality of the work isn't checked, either, or even if it was done. I will refuse to grade an assignment that I cannot read. Call me picky...This week, my Beginners had a project due. One really stood out--lots of pictures, 3D lettering, reasonably good sentences, followed nearly ALL of the project requirements. Really nicely done. It seemed too good to be true. I was right. Mom had done all the writing, and drawn the (required) map, although the student had supplied the information. He had glued the letters and photos on, and that was all.
Another Beginner turned in his homework, all correct and neat. The problem? It wasn't his writing. The after-school program worker had written the words. "She wanted to help", he told me. I wrote a note and stapled it on the next homework page: "Your encouragement and support are welcome, but please let (student) do his own writing, so he can get used to the spelling. Thank you!"
Having raised 2 sons, I know the temptation of wanting to help with homework, especially projects. My older son accepted help much of the time, the younger one refused any assistance starting the day we each took a "learning inventory survey". He was 8. (He is now 23. )Our styles were vastly different, and he recognized that how I thought what he needed was what I had needed in order to learn. Ouch.
I encourage parents and other caregivers to do this--
1) Please go through the directions with your child.
2)Make certain the work is relatively neatly done and complete.
3) If they ask for help, have them explain to you what they already know, and see if you can aid ironing out the kinks.

Learning is a process that is often hard work. We all need someone who will encourage, guide, and coach us to be our best, to do our best. That, I believe, is also a parent's job.

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11:12:00 AM
by mrsriley
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