I just sent this to one of The Boy's teachers in response to yet another packet of projects and vocabulary sent home over the weekend. Do you think I'm out of line
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I both agree and disagree. Note that I didn't really go to public school after second grade, so everything I say is with respect to my specific private, college prep, school. I was one of those kids who could get the gist of the subject, but without doing homework would never do better than a B or C in the class. If I actually did homework, I'd get an A, easily. It's that extra rote work, almost like building muscle memory in a more physical pursuit, that can help many of the kids internalize what's being learned so that can actually answer consistently and quickly when test time comes.
Plus, 3 hours a day for band? And nine hours on a game day? Do you guys not have band as a class? Is it all after school? If so, I could understand an hour or more, but 3? Every day? That's absurd. I was in a marching band in college, and the symphonic band, and with BOTH of them we didn't practice 3 hours a day, every day (unless you're counting individual practice, at home, which is homework.)
And 9 hours on game days? What are they doing for 9 hours?
In high school, we'd get out a 3pm or so. Then we'd have sports or P.E. of some kind. I did cross country and swimming, but that would be over after an hour or two. Clubs were on days we didn't have our sport. By 6 pm, we were home. Even if every class gave 15 minutes of homework, we'd be done by 8pm.
While this doesn't give much extra time for Eagle Scout stuff (except weekends) that also assumes they're getting homework in every class, every day.
I hate to say it, but it sounds like the band teacher's the one giving too much work to the kids. I'd think he or she needs to be the one an email is sent to. It also seems like this is one of those situations where you might have to choose what activities your son wants to do, if the teacher's can't be flexible with it. No one kid can do every activity out there, and going for eagle scout is a pretty demanding and time consuming activity, which might have to take priority over other activities.
I don't know all of your specifics though, so feel free to ignore any or all of what I'm saying as appropriate.
I do think the amount of time the band takes is ridiculous. I have voiced this to the director (and yes, they have a 50 minute class every day as well). Unfortunately this is Texas, where marching band and football are hardcore. And honestly, the values of physical coordination, exertion, teamwork, and camaraderie of band are just as valuable IMO as academics.
I have always thought 7 hours per day is plenty for the kids to learn AND do enough rote work to retain a subject. When the kid gets home, he should be MINE. The state does not own him, and I resent their taking more and more of his time away from what we as a family want to do.
Now they're talking about extending school hours and/or year-round school. I VERY much doubt that would improve academic outcomes, but it would be convenient for all the working families who would rather not have to find someplace to warehouse the kids during the summers. As for me, I think kids don't get nearly enough "down time" as it is. Most of them could easily learn the same amount of stuff in half the time. Most school work is busy work as far as I can tell.
Perhaps within 10 years or so, most instruction will be via video and video games. I think kids could learn vast amounts this way, rather than sitting in a chair and listening to lectures for hours on end.
Fair enough, and of course a lot of things depend on an educational model that assumes teaching can only be done in one, specific way. As you said: different ways of handling in-class time, or other ways of shifting the priorities and schedules might eliminate the need for homework (though in certain subjects I'd still argue that it's vital, like the more advanced math courses.) Still, you've got a huge point: the state doesn't own your kids. This is what drives a lot of people into homeschooling.
Plus, 3 hours a day for band? And nine hours on a game day? Do you guys not have band as a class? Is it all after school? If so, I could understand an hour or more, but 3? Every day? That's absurd. I was in a marching band in college, and the symphonic band, and with BOTH of them we didn't practice 3 hours a day, every day (unless you're counting individual practice, at home, which is homework.)
And 9 hours on game days? What are they doing for 9 hours?
In high school, we'd get out a 3pm or so. Then we'd have sports or P.E. of some kind. I did cross country and swimming, but that would be over after an hour or two. Clubs were on days we didn't have our sport. By 6 pm, we were home. Even if every class gave 15 minutes of homework, we'd be done by 8pm.
While this doesn't give much extra time for Eagle Scout stuff (except weekends) that also assumes they're getting homework in every class, every day.
I hate to say it, but it sounds like the band teacher's the one giving too much work to the kids. I'd think he or she needs to be the one an email is sent to. It also seems like this is one of those situations where you might have to choose what activities your son wants to do, if the teacher's can't be flexible with it. No one kid can do every activity out there, and going for eagle scout is a pretty demanding and time consuming activity, which might have to take priority over other activities.
I don't know all of your specifics though, so feel free to ignore any or all of what I'm saying as appropriate.
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I have always thought 7 hours per day is plenty for the kids to learn AND do enough rote work to retain a subject. When the kid gets home, he should be MINE. The state does not own him, and I resent their taking more and more of his time away from what we as a family want to do.
Now they're talking about extending school hours and/or year-round school. I VERY much doubt that would improve academic outcomes, but it would be convenient for all the working families who would rather not have to find someplace to warehouse the kids during the summers. As for me, I think kids don't get nearly enough "down time" as it is. Most of them could easily learn the same amount of stuff in half the time. Most school work is busy work as far as I can tell.
Perhaps within 10 years or so, most instruction will be via video and video games. I think kids could learn vast amounts this way, rather than sitting in a chair and listening to lectures for hours on end.
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