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Friday, March 31, 2006
Homework During Spring Break
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An e-mail from a parent tells the following tale of woe:
“Young teacher, who will be getting married and honeymooning in the islands during spring break, assigns a project consisting a Power Point presentation due the week after returning from break. For many of the students it’s the first such presentation. This week (the week before break) she allows them 4 hours of computer lab to work on their projects.
Two students, my child included, get as much as possible done on the assignment this past weekend to free them up over the break. When they go to their first computer lab the teacher discovers they are light years ahead of the rest of the class. She then threatens to assign more work to these two students increasing their requirements on this project. Let me explain my child really gets into projects and has a track record for turning them in at least a week early and generally receives one of the highest grades given on a project.
Should I have a chat with the teacher and explain that, while I understand her stress level at this time, students, too, often make plans for spring break? Should I just let it slide? Or, should I broach the subject with the administration leaving the teacher unnamed?”
Advice for this parent? Do your kids have schoolwork to do over spring break? Teachers, do you assign work over spring break? Or is spring break supposed to be homework-free?
Speaking of spring break, I am desperately seeking parents accompanying teenagers on a spring break trip for a story I’m doing. If you are such a parent and you’re willing to help me out, please shoot me an e-mail at pghezzi@ajc.com. Thanks!
