What Paying It Forward Means to a Kindergartener and How I'm Going to Look Like a Bad Mom
Oh yes, I'm going to do it.
Something I never thought I would do back when I was a teacher and not a parent.
I'm going to call total B.S. on a homework assignment brought home by my kindergartener.
Friday afternoon, Monkey brings home a letter from the kindergarten team explaining how his school is a "service learning school" and how each kindergartener now has an end-of-the year service/pay it forward project to complete, along with a "booklet, poster board(flat or tri-fold), model, photo album, scrapbook, or mobile" to share their project with the school. Due in one week.
Now, I think the idea of teaching children that they need to help others is fantastic. But, the display??? Is not homework for the kindergartener: it's parent homework. And Mrs. Kindergartener Teacher, I have enough to do.
Not to mention that there was very limited time given to complete this project and display, when it's obvious that this is something done each year. Why not send this assignment home with a month to do it instead of a week?
The actual intent behind this assignment? Is fabulous. But, the time frame given to get it done and the display requirements? Notsomuch.
There was a list of suggested projects to get us started.
Donate clothes/toys/books/cell phones to a nonprofit organization: oooookay. We do this several times a year. But, too bad we just did this last week: we cleaned out and donated to my middle son's preschool for their yard sale. Sure, we can scrape up a few more things to give away, but we really cleared out for this sale. And of course, I didn't take pics for a display since I had no clue that this project was coming.
Donate time to a soup kitchen, volunteer at the USO, or participate with Habitat for Humanity: all good ideas, but again, giving us a week's notice makes this all a little hard to do.
Locks of love: a very worthy organization. But, my boys don't have hair long enough to do this. And while I do, they don't take my bleached hair. Yes, I bleach my naturally blonde hair just for fun. *cough, cough*
Since I know that they have been talking about this at school, I thought I'd ask Monkey if he had any ideas about how he could help someone.
"If someone falls, I could help them up."
Okay, that's very true. But, I explained that we have to do something planned. And we can't KNOW that someone will fall down. Monkey found a loophole.
"Well, I could tell someone to shove them down and then I could help them up and we could take a picture of me helping."
So, obviously, he's been missing the lessons I thought I'd been teaching on helping others. So, we need to figure out something to do to help others.
And we will.
But, will I be creating a trifold display to show it off? No.
Something I never thought I would do back when I was a teacher and not a parent.
I'm going to call total B.S. on a homework assignment brought home by my kindergartener.
Friday afternoon, Monkey brings home a letter from the kindergarten team explaining how his school is a "service learning school" and how each kindergartener now has an end-of-the year service/pay it forward project to complete, along with a "booklet, poster board(flat or tri-fold), model, photo album, scrapbook, or mobile" to share their project with the school. Due in one week.
Now, I think the idea of teaching children that they need to help others is fantastic. But, the display??? Is not homework for the kindergartener: it's parent homework. And Mrs. Kindergartener Teacher, I have enough to do.
Not to mention that there was very limited time given to complete this project and display, when it's obvious that this is something done each year. Why not send this assignment home with a month to do it instead of a week?
The actual intent behind this assignment? Is fabulous. But, the time frame given to get it done and the display requirements? Notsomuch.
There was a list of suggested projects to get us started.
Donate clothes/toys/books/cell phones to a nonprofit organization: oooookay. We do this several times a year. But, too bad we just did this last week: we cleaned out and donated to my middle son's preschool for their yard sale. Sure, we can scrape up a few more things to give away, but we really cleared out for this sale. And of course, I didn't take pics for a display since I had no clue that this project was coming.
Donate time to a soup kitchen, volunteer at the USO, or participate with Habitat for Humanity: all good ideas, but again, giving us a week's notice makes this all a little hard to do.
Locks of love: a very worthy organization. But, my boys don't have hair long enough to do this. And while I do, they don't take my bleached hair. Yes, I bleach my naturally blonde hair just for fun. *cough, cough*
Since I know that they have been talking about this at school, I thought I'd ask Monkey if he had any ideas about how he could help someone.
"If someone falls, I could help them up."
Okay, that's very true. But, I explained that we have to do something planned. And we can't KNOW that someone will fall down. Monkey found a loophole.
"Well, I could tell someone to shove them down and then I could help them up and we could take a picture of me helping."
So, obviously, he's been missing the lessons I thought I'd been teaching on helping others. So, we need to figure out something to do to help others.
And we will.
But, will I be creating a trifold display to show it off? No.
Labels: school stuff
posted by Shell at
7:00 AM
87 Comments:
ARgggggghhhhh...service learning through public schools gets.on.my.nerves.
Yes, it's annoying and you shouldn't have to do it. You should challenge this assignment not as an annoying parent, but as someone who wants to see things get better and more appropriate for other kids. If you really want a 5-year old to understand things, they need to be built into his/her world...not done once for show.
Great...now I'm frustrated!
that is absolutely ridiculous...I bet the other mothers are thinking the exact same thing you are, but are too scared to say anything...
A tri fold display and a model? No way...
maybe a big drawing on a posterboard, that my kindergardtner can handle...
and a week? are you freaking kidding me...sure, let me just pop down to the soup kitchen in my spare time with no planning on who's going to watch my other kids...and I'm sure the homeless/less fortunate are going to be thrilled with my camera in their faces...
please...sounds like a first year teacher to me!
I'd be pretty frustrated as well. I cracked up at Monkey's loophole!
I wholeheartedly agree... I hate projects... I don't like doing them with my kids, I don't like assigning them and I don't like grading them when they are done!
I agree this is a frustrating one for so many reasons...not sure if you are up for suggestions? I don't think you need to go beyond a 5 year olds ability. How about taking him to Kroger (or any other store) and let him pick a few store brand can goods, then he could take them to a food pantry???
My kids love helping food pantries. And they get what they are doing, they understand they are helping to feed others who otherwise may not have food.
Ugh, a week isn't much notice. Go walk dogs at the SPCA - kids always love that. Animals need help too ;-)
This is so funny! I love his idea about helping someone up. And yes, a kindergarten doing a display board like that is ridiculous. Can't wait to see how it goes with the teacher.
I like the food pantry idea. Also, I know that our children's hospital likes getting homemade cards from other kids to give to their patients. That's kind of an easy one.
Then, while he is crafting, you can whip up his presentation for him. But just skip the old tri-fold board and go straight to interactive powerpoint presentation. (Maybe his teacher thinks she suddenly has a classroom full of sixth graders instead of six year olds!)
Wow - that is really short notice for a project like that (and seriously that is a kindergarten project?!?!)
Maybe have him help his grandma plant flowers or something at her house?
A week is really too short notice. Why not have the entire class participate in a service project over the course of the school year, then the whole class can help in making the display.
Both of my kids are out of school now, but I've always had an issue with 'busy' homework.
As a former teacher, I get this. I really, really do. it's easy to call BS on something that you know could have been better planned.
As a side note, that story about the shoving-helping-photo opping? Freaking priceless! :)
I can't believe that they only gave you one week to do this.This so should've been something that was discussed at the beginning of the year and then told that it should be done by the end of the year and reminders should have been sent home. One week notice is definitely not enough. My hubs has some great tri-fold skills since he just did Jacob's for a project a few weeks ago! =) But seriously, the end of the year and a trifold for a kindergartner? Ridiculous.
I like Monkey's idea!
Good grief even the high schoolers got to have a month to do a science fair project. That is ridiculous
"Well, I could tell someone to shove them down and then I could help them up and we could take a picture of me helping." <<Smart boy! Though a little off base with his thinking lol.
Seriously though, that really is TOO much of a task to ask of a Kindergartner. Hell that's too much for kids up to the third grade!
Someone needs a lesson in Child Psychology and in Child Development. It's one thing to have them do a SIMPLE "help/service" (like plant a tree, help someone with groceries being put in the house, etc.) and write a *sentence* (or two) on HOW THEY HELPED SOMEONE.
But a freaking DISPLAY? C'mon!
That little monkey is an excellent problem solver.
LOL - I love his idea to ask somebody to shove somebody else. Classic! Really though, this is bad timing - who has this kind of time at the end of the school year!?! I do like Oka's idea thought ... maybe pick out a few items from your pantry and donate them to a soup kitchen or food bank? Our church even has a permanent box for food donations. Could be easy.
And, I say go for the crazy display! Make a mobile with strings and pictures you print at the drugstore. Make it LOOK like a lot of work.;)
Wow, that's an assignment for a kindergartener?? That's just nuts. And a week?? Seriously? Man.
Monkey has a great sense of logic, I have to say.
It sounds impossible, but Shell, I'm confident you'll come up with something!
I love Monkey's idea!
That is flipping ridiculous, although I can see the show-off Supermom types having a field day with it.
I'm in your corner 100%! I hate when teachers assign homework for parents.
Wow, I agree this assignment should have been given earlier and in a different way. This is not the type of project you give at the end of the year. It would be a good project to give in January and make it due in March or something like that. Sorry you have to deal with this
I love the idea of teaching our kids to pay it forward. It should be taught at an early age. But to practically give a presentation of what they did? That sounds more like a senior project. Not Kindergarten.
Are you friends with any neighbors? Maybe he can help them pull weeds or plant flowers. Take a picture and call it a day.
LOL - so funny -
I find that MOST of the homework sent for my preschooler and kindergartener is homework for ME! It is very annoying....
I could trip someone for Monkey to help up? I kid, I kid!! That would be counter productive right? ;)
There's nothing more I loathe than homework that is CLEARLY intended for me...not my kids. Sigh. I've got a loooong ride.
that's something that should have been given to you as a semester project, not end of the year project. For real. I wouldn't make that trifold either...ok I would but because I'm a pansy and a teacher's pet. lol Always have been. :S
That is ridiculous. And I agree with you.
Can't wait for kindergarten.
Oh man, that's crazy.
I would be so upset with the teacher. A WEEK? During an already packed time of year? That's so mean.
I say go with the clothing giveaway you already did and fake the pictures. Or have Monkey draw the pictures on a Tri-Fold piece of paper. I mean, if it's a Kindergarden project, a Kindergardner should be able to do it, right?
One of mine had to do this project in elementary school.
We made sack lunches to give to homeless people.
The same kid was assigned this project again this year and just made up a whole story about he mowed lawns and donated the money to the American Heart ASsociation.
I really wish he had given me a heads up because I had NO IDEA what the teacher was talking about when she started complimenting me for driving him around with the mower????????
A week IS a short time period!
Don't blame you. I wouldn't do it either. The teacher should have given the kids more time to complete this. Especially this time of year when it is crazy.
I feel for you. Homework is my least favorite part of motherhood.
Nice that they added this so close to the end of the year too. Turbo is in second grade and I still don't really get the way they are teaching him some things.
And really a display of the child doing the "service activity"? Isn't that a bit much?
One of our Girl Scout projects was making cards for the senior citizen's home, but that was at Christmas. The donate to the food bank is probably the easiest. You could take a photo of him putting canned goods in a box and then taking them into the donation center. And I would totally get him to do the poster. It is a kid project; let a kid do it. That's what I do with the stuff they send home.
I so hope you sent a note to the teacher. This is a lot if work with the expectation soley on the parent!
Frustrating!!
OMG I would so be pissed too! Argh good luck with that...leave it to the school to add stuff to your plate last minute!
I would get a poster board and let your child draw a picture of the things you donated... add a few words and be done - who says it needs photos..
I love how Monkey was thinking outside the box. :) Do you think the teacher meant to send it home weeks ago and totally forgot, or is she not the best planner? That's a major #TeacherFail.
Have him take a picture of you sitting all pretty.
Then make a sign that says, "This is my mom paying it forward by not giving Mrs. KG teacher a throat punch for assigning her homework."
:)
Winning!!!
I hate parent homework. We get it all the time.
Ha! I like MiMi's idea!
The very thought of projects and trifold displays and powerpoint presentations almost - almost - makes me consider homeschooling. But then I wake up and realize there's not enough wine in this world to make THAT happen.
OM gosh, your son's idea of pushing someone down then helping them up--so cute! My son just had a big project for school, his first report and speech. I get that they have to learn to do this but that was my complaint too--it kind of became my responsibility because he didn't know how to do this type of project yet. And over a holiday week off from school too. It all turned out good though. Good luck with your son's project!
That's beyond ridiculous! Not only is it work for the parents, but kids are going to grow up thinking volunteering = work.
I love his solution to the problem of having someone to help up. That is so funny! I hate the end of the year projects for kindergarteners too. It really is mostly just homework for the parents. My daughter had to do a report on an animal and has to present it to her class. In Kindergarten. Oy! Good luck with your project!
Way too little notice, isnt school only a week or so left? Lesson for future ive picked up...take photographic evidence of good deeds.
I think one picture and a short paragraph about the experience would be fine. This? Too much.
Holy Good G.....um, no way. ONE WEEK?
You have got to be kidding?
I think that the idea of paying it forward is WONDERFUL, AWESOME...but it's all for YOU to do, aren't they the ones going to school.
I know it will be a great project for Monkey and both of you will do a great job, but I'm with you...no way this is fair or enough time.
GOOD LUCK
My middle girl had a 1st grade teacher fresh out of college. She called all the ridiculous projects she strapped these kids down with, enrichment projects. The only thing it enriched was my temper. It is impossible for kids of such a young age to complete projects of this sort of magnitude. And even though, your son's teacher's suggestions were noble, they really weren't very realistic. I'm not sure a soup kitchen is a completely suitable environment for a young child, maybe when he's a bit older. And please, Habitat For Humanity? I volunteered for many years for them. Is your little guy supposed to help build a house? No offense, but I really wouldn't want my house built by a 5 year old.
I like your son's idea of the shove. Sounds like a good plan to me.
And by the way, I'm back. And so glad to be here.
Apparently, we were all slackers in Kindergarten! Whatever you do, don't over think the presentation aspect. I think sometimes parents go overboard with assignments because they use their own standards, rather than allowing their child to turn in an age appropriate project. A child that age can draw a picture of the service he's done, or cut pictures out of a magazine/sales flier and glue them on a board to explain the project.
I agree that the time frame is far too short and I think she could have framed the "project" in a way that makes more sense for the age. And I'm just annoying enough of a parent to say that to my kids' teachers if that stuff ever comes up! Good luck!
My first grader has weekly book reports and monthly "family projects" that often don't get sent home until a day or two before the due date. I'm DONE with projects! It's been a long time since I was in first grade and I don't appreciate having to do the work all over again! I'm more excited about the end of this school year than my kids are. 3 days left!
Good Luck!
That's a little much for a kindergarten age child. You are 100% right that it's really homework for the parent. And really, a 5 year old volunteering at Habitat? Really?
Call it BS or whatever you want. It's ridiculous. And hello, school is almost over! This needed at the very least a month! And tri-folds are for the 5th graders and up. I have never heard of such a thing for kindergarten! That is crazy.
You didn't get much time! How about making get well cards for some sick people at church!
That is crazy... that is an assignment for a 3rd grade that they know about a month a head of time. What is going on the schools are getting so paranoid they are going way over the top. I have Kindergartner an we did one poster on the 100th day of school. We glued down 100 pompoms that was realistic. we knew a month ahead of time. I would call BS as well.
This is crazy for a kinder student to do. I understand the purpose behind this but seriously, parents need time if they are going to do these things because really it is the parents that are going to be the ones completing this assignment.
This is a contrived gimmick, not a valuable lesson for a child this age. Your child will learn the value of service and giving by observing and being included in your example--not through a "make work" (for YOU!) assignment.
Oh my gosh, totally laughing at his loophole. And good for you for not doing that project. My oldest often gets projects that are not in her realm of abilities and I finally started refusing to do them and going back to the teacher for realistic projects for her. I finished my homework a long time ago.
Good for you!!!! I absolutely love that I am not the only one who realizes this and how these teachers throw things on you at the last minute, or how they need a school supply that is not sold in any stores nearby. Its ridiculous, if the child cannot complete the assignment with minimal guidance, they shouldnt assign it to begin with!
I think a project like this should be saved until they are a little bit older so that they can understand better what exactly they are doing. A weeks notice? I would be beyond irate! Do they think everyone just sits at home doing nothing and can drop everything to run and do something like this??
I have twin kindergarteners, in different classes. My son's teacher doesn't assign "homework" she sends audio tapes home with the kids (players are provided) and their assignment is to listen to the tape. The tapes are usually a teaching instrument and the kids can follow along with a book or papers, whatever. My daughter has homework every night and it is something I always have to do with her, not something she can do on her own. She was even assigned to do a report on an animal last month. So who had to do all of the research for it? Me. Who had to turn all of the information into words that a kindergartener could write and understand? Me. I did more work than she did, and when it was time for her to read her report in front of the class, she didn't even remember what it was about, lol.
Ugh. That's kind of crappy to only give you ONE WEEK to figure something out. I'm sure you will come up with something. Because you're brilliant like that. :)
That is total BS and not cool at all for a flippin' 5 year old. My sons first grade teacher has all sorts of high hopes about teaching them 3rd and 4th grade concepts & then sends home these complex packets of worksheets as homework. After the first one took my like six hours to finish with him, I emailed the teacher and told her not to expect me to spend that kind of time ever again. The work was way beyond them and I ended up doing the whole damn thing- well at least giving him the answers. He has come home with the packets on a monthly basis since, but they've only included 4 or 5 worksheets, which is much more managable that the 20 she sent home the first time.
I have felt that way about soooooo many projects through the years. I don't know where they come up with this stuff!
That is so crazy. Good for you. Love this.
This is whole project is wrong in so many ways. I will give you two.
1. Obviously the project part is so off. Seriously a 5 or 6 year old doing a tri fold. You have got to be kidding me. And in a week! This teacher is way crazy.
2. I don't even know if developmentally these service projects are concepts a five and six year old can understand. Do they really get working in a soup kitchen or contributing clothes, food, etc. I know we do the Christmas gifts for unfortuante families every year and my youngest really doesn't understand the whole idea. I think your Monkey had the right idea: Helping someone up when they fall is more the kind of help they do (maybe not knocking them down first, but whatever).
The teacher could have done so many other things with this concept and she obviously dropped the ball.
Great project.... terrible timing!! Have you spoken to the teacher about this?
My girls have big projects like this too but usually they are given a couple of months to create them. But even with time they still end up being a lot of work (and money) for the parents!
That is just craziness! Definitely too much for a Kindergartener.
But I gotta say I love his last idea...lol too funny.
My kid always does his own projects, and anyone can tell that. So with one week? Have Monkey draw a picture of helping someone up. Hopefully he also won't draw the shoving part! ;)
Well, on the upside...Monkey's a creative thinker??
Shell, I don't blame you a bit! The project board for a kinder-kid is the ridiculous thing I have ever heard of! Keep us posted on the reaction! :)
LOL!!! I L.O.V.E. your son's idea! That rocks! LOL!!
I totally agree with the whole one to plan a huge project/life lesson??! What's up with that?
Good luck! Keep us posted.
His solution cracked me up! I even know a few people that I might volunteer to shove down for him! :)
LOL! That is too funny-totally a PMM :) Hey and at least he wasn't the one that was going to shove the person down.
And yes, totally BS and stupid, espeically with such little notice. It is crazy what they make them do in kindergarten now.
Oh please update us on the reaction of the teacher! I totally agree with you and the time frame is ridiculous. You could always write on the board- "We donated everything we own a week before the assignment was handed out. Sorry you missed it."
I thought I was the only one that bleached my natural blond locks just for kicks!
Good to know I'm not alone ;)
And a one week deadline is bogus.
Bwahahaha! I still call BS on parent homework. You know how old my kids are! Now I just tell the teachers, "This would be a great opportunity for you to teach project planning. Lord knows they'll have many more throughout their academic career."
P.S. That line works a lot better on the teachers that are younger than me... But the older ones seem to know better...
Yuck. Maybe you could have your son pay someone to push his teacher over?
This is very annoying and exactly the type of thing I am dreading about our impending journey into kindergarten this fall. I'm a pleaser, I will have to do it and it simply makes me ill to think about how ridiculous it is.
Good luck on your service! :)
Maybe just go take some colorings up to a nursing home and hand them out? Then you could take them back after the photos and pin them up on the poster board? just thinking here.
Wow! They are expecting this from a kindergartener? Amazing! The teacher needs to realize she is giving the parents the work and not the kids!
Holy cow! That is a lot to expect in one week from a kindergartener! Good call on not doing the display!
Gee, silly me! I thought it was my responsibility to teach my children to serve. Good for you Shell. I hate "parent created projects". I just had a Pinewood derby flashback.
Have you seen "Race to Nowhere" yet? It gave me the confidence to push back against homework projects that are simply "busy work" that reinforces nothing. My children's education is my biggest priority- but that doesn't mean that homework (especially at the elementary level) is always the right path to building their knowledge.
This is exactly why I sucked it up and just CANCELLED my plan to give my students a big project to do at the end of the year--We've run out of time; it's not worth the stress for everyone, even though it's one of my favorites. It's no big deal; we'll all survive. Too bad Monkey's teacher apparently has a hard-and-fast checklist (without reminders to tell her this assignment should have been given more than a month ago).
OMG, his last comment made me laugh outloud, only because I can totally see one of my kids saying the same exact thing!
Yeah, that sucks that you only had 1 week's notice. So not fair and you're right that it's more work for the parents than it is for the kids.
Your post cracked me up! A week is ridiculous. I would take a stand too. Maybe he could do a skit instead. :)
I cannot believe that they give kindergartners homework in the first place. It is ridiculous!!
The evil mommy inside of me thinks that you should stage that whole "helping someone up" project and videotape it.
That will stop the crazy homework!
Wow, what a crazy project for kindergarten! When my son was in K last year he didn't get any homework, aside from reading club stuff, never mind a display project. Who does she really think will be making that display? I totally don't like it when people give me extra make work projects to do, like I don't have enough going on taking care of 2 young kids and running a house. Maybe she doesn't have any kids of her own and thinks moms have tons of time to do extra things. Or maybe she's trying to show off to the principal or the other kindergarten teacher, "see what my class did." Either way good for you for standing up for yourself. And I love monkey's idea, that's totally something my son would say.
That's a total bullshit assignment. A month for a 5th grader would make sense, maybe . . . a week for a parent (because you're right, it's a parent assignment - and there is no way that you can pretend it's anything but) doesn't teach the kid anything.
Though I do really enjoy the staged evil & filmed nice workaround your son is suggesting. You may have a politician in the making ;-)
Kindergartners have homework?? crap.
(my twins start kindergarten in august:)
I just had to prepare an oral report with props & a display on the meerkat. At least I had more than a week's notice!
Any kindergarten at home project is just homework for the parents!
Shell, I have to agree that this is a crock! Especially with NO TIME TO DO IT! Maybe if it's such a service-oriented school, they should assign this year-end thingie at the beginning of the year.
I love Monkey's idea! I think that the project is totally inappropriate for a 5 year old? How is he supposed to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity!?
As a former kindergarten teacher, I'm very disappointed in this assignment. Paying it forward isn't something you throw in at the end of the school year to fill up some time. It's something that should have been a part of the classroom all YEAR. I would have let parents know about it at the start of the year, and asked them to send in pics any time the child participated in something that would apply, so that at the end of the year I could create a photo collage of all the good things the class had done, to be part of a bulletin board in our classroom. JMO, of course.
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