Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Homework x 3 or 4, someday 5.

Remember the good old days? When you would read a book and then have a to write a book report? Or maybe you'd learn some math and then have to go home and do some math problems? Or maybe you'd read about some wonderful Indian tribe in Social Studies and then take a multiple choice quiz on that tribe. Those days are gone, folks. Those days are gone.

Trisha is also working on a "hogan" for social studies. This has to be made out of materials found in nature...just like the native americans did back in the day. Listen, people, I can help a child with writing, some math, but creating a hogan out of materials found in nature...forget it. What makes this extra fun is how every suggestion I make gets shot down:

Me: "Trisha, what if I went to get some plaster and we got the basic shape with plaster and then glued things from nature to it."
Trisha: (In a screeching, over the top, how could you be so stupid tone of voice) "The teacher said we couldn't do that."

Well, did the teacher maybe tell you how I am supposed to pull a hogan out of my a**. Although...that does give me an idea.

Then, Jonathan is working on a book project. He gets to make a movie poster to "sell" the movie rendition of the book he just read. His original rough draft was basically a reworking of the cover, which I have to say, I thought was brillant. I mean afterall, if a publishing house thought it was good enough to sell, well it should be good enough for the teacher...am I right? However, he now sits upstairs looking at a blank page and asking me for ideas. I have not read the book, so I have no ideas. I am now going to read the book so I can have some ideas (unless anyone has read Frindle and can help me out)

Jaden surprisingly seems to have no homework. Ever. I am not sure what this means. When I ask him, he always says he did it at school. There was one project he had where he said he had to watch TV for 90 minutes each day. Something about tracking commercials. You don't think he's pulling a fast one on me, do you?

Ah, yes and then there is Ryan. So far, he's pretty independent. Except that once per week he has to bring in a current event story. He always likes to pick odd news, and believeyoume, there is plenty of odd news out there, which brings up tons of odd questions like: "Mom, what's chocolate body spread? It's been recalled" or "Mom, why would a naked man try to go down someone's chimney?" or "Mom, what is sex and why did people get arrested for it on the beach?" Good times. Good times.

Just think, in a few years, Hayleigh will be in the mix. I can hardly wait to see what ridiculous, er I mean, educational things they come up with by then.

18 comments:

Kristine said...

LMAO

Oh boy, I'm just dealing with kindergarten homework. Can't wait for the real stuff...NOT.

And ummm...I kind of like your hogan idea! Made me laugh. Oh yeah, and the tracking commercials bit. Good one!

Echloe said...

Hi. Visiting from ICLW. Sounds like you are having fun with homework. At least their teachers are creative.

K @ ourboxofrain said...

I'm embarrassed to admit I had to look up a hogan when I read this post -- I would be totally useless.

And in Jaden's defense, I had that assignment (commercial tracking) once -- fourth or fifth grade, I think. I suppose you'll know soon enough if he isn't doing work he's supposed to be doing...

Ginny said...

This is why Summer replaced Fall for my favorite season. I hate the homework!!! I hated it when I went & I think I hate it more when my kiddos have it!

I'm tagging you, hope you play along ~ http://scrappyd.blogspot.com/2008/10/ive-been-tagged.html

Photogrl said...

Wow. I'm tired for you just reading about the homework.

(ICLW)

Erin said...

ICLW!

Oh boy, homework certianly isn't what it was in my day. I can't wait for all of that fun that lies ahead of me.

Five kids, you must be a saint :)

Michelle said...

ROFLMAO This is hilarious! HMMM Jaden seems a little suspicious ;) tracking commercials I wish I would have thought of that. LOL

Anonymous said...

I am tired reading about the homework.

ICLW

Bella said...

Geez!!! That's a lot of homework! Scares me! Good luck with all of it. That hogan crap is ridiculous!

ICLW.

Jessica White said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog.

I don't blame you about those projects: They all seem rather intense!

Good luck with them.

Anonymous said...

LOL, oh the things I have to look forward to. (ICLW)

Anonymous said...

Hi. I'm visiting from iclw. The homework sounds extremely interesting. Not sure what a Hogan is, but the current events homework sounds neat.

Muser Grace said...

Thanks so much for your very kind and insightful comment on my blog. It helped me to reframe how i think about my experience of pre-natal and post-partum depression. Thanks for that gift. :)

CappyPrincess said...

Homework sucks! We homeschool now so it's not that much of an issue, but the amount of homework they had in public school was just outrageous - by 4th grade they were up to 90 minutes per day. Like when where they supposed to be kids and play?

Good luck with it as it multiplies for your kidlets.

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

I don't miss doing my 15 yr olds homework ... but how am I going to be creative with my twins sons and help them come up with something different.

I hope they scrap it..

Here from IComLeavWe... (adoption,pregnancy loss, IVF twins)
My Little Drummer Boys

Anonymous said...

Whew, that sounds like more trouble than it's worth ;) Good luck with that!

(ICLW)

SassyCupcakes said...

I don't know what a hogan is but it sounds scary. Good luck.

Kristin said...

Actually, he probably isn't bs'ing you about the tracking commercials. My oldest has had to do that. Too funny about the homework though.

ICLW