My child's 3rd grade homework is ridiculous!?

Question

They want the kids to make a collage every week of their spelling words. They have to find them in magazines and cut them out. Now, the problem is that you cannot find all the words they have in some of the magazines. My child, my boyfriend and I all looked in several magazines and cannot find some of the words. I think it is ridiculous. If he does not have them all then it is an F. I am not going to go out and buy a ton of magazines just to find one or 2 words. It has to be the whole word, not just letters pasted together either.

Should I say something to the teacher or what? It would be easier to find pictures of some of the words than the words themselves. Like the word puddle. I cannot find it in one single magazine! There are 4 other words we cannot find. They told us to help our children with the projects. I am not doing it for him. He started out doing it himself and couldn't find but 2 words and so we began to help him search. He was right, it was difficult.

I apolgize if my spelling is not correct, I am tired. Please serious answers/ comments only.

Answer 1

your kid isn't learning anything by cutting words out of magazines. tell the teacher-i'm sure other parents will too.  

Answer 2

that is ridiculus. I have a 3rd grader as well and his homework is crazy too. They give these assignments as if the following year they are going to college. I agree it is his/her responsibility, however parents help and teachers know that.

If it takes much more of an effort and homework is still being done after an hour - tell his teacher.

Maybe suggest that they get a bonus for all extra words they bring in. Having to complete this project is too cumbersome for him and your family.  

Answer 3

Honestly I think that the concept of homework before the age of 10 is insane.  It's more work for the parents than for the children.  I have a 13 year old daughter who brings home the dumbest c**p that I end up doing for her (For example, tonight we had to write an essay to convince her teacher why they should have free day on Fridays).

This is what I would do.  Go out, to the dollar store or Wal-mart and buy some cheap colored paper to print on.  Then go and print the words out on the paper in different fonts and different sizes on different colored paper.  I would also add the pictures of the word from the magazines.  It not only is more creative and pleasant to look at, but it also gives the child a visual source to remember when they have to take a quiz.  

I hope it helps.  But seriously, don't stress out on it.  Remember that you can also use old washed food container labels cut out as well.

Answer 4

Have your child type the words out on the computer and then print them.  He gets the practice of spelling them, and he gets the assignment completed.  Do this for only the words you really can not find in magazines.

However, watch out!  We teachers are pretty smart, and the teacher may not accept words done like that.  I am sure it is probably impossible to find EVERY word, and the teacher should know that too.

Answer 5

Sounds like they are trying to get the kids to read more by searching for words. Ask the other parents if they are having a hard time.

Instead of searching for the words you would think they would be better off learning how to spell them.

Answer 6

I think you should have a talk with the teacher.

Wow that is ridiculous.

I'm sure other parents feel the same. I would!

Writing the word however many times each would help more to learn spelling.

What a waste of time, money, and effort.

Answer 7

Join the PTA and complain! lol but you know you could also find them online too.

Answer 8

I would ask if it is ok to put the picture instead of the word and I would talk to the teacher and express your difficulty with these assignments.

For the mean time if you are ok with cheating get some paper at office depot that is kind of glossy like a magazine and search "puddle magazine"

Look what I found:

http://www.maximumink.com/images/Copy_of...

Answer 9

That is quite absurd.

I think you should definitely talk to the teacher. Plus, that activity doesn't really sound helpful at all. Maybe if you suggest to her that the children be able to cut out the individual letters to create a collage of the words, that might be easier. Seems like it'd be more helpful to me at least.

Good luck though.  

Answer 10

give the teacher a piece of your mind

Answer 11

its part of their life expeience...b

Answer 12

please do no attack us!!!! send a note or call the teacher saying that you were not able to find all the words in the magazines and "ASK FOR OTHER SUGGESTIONS"  if you go possitive towards her she will come back possitive towards you...

I absolutely agree with NOT DOING THE HOMEWORK FOR HIM..but if you are trying to help him by getting him the resources and still are not successful then she should not punish your child for that.  You may use my words when you send her a note, and dont worry, this assingment is not going to determine the academic success of your child...Keep it up, MOM!