Expecting sick 7 year olds to make up all classwork AND homework is ridiculous.

[lostnfound]

This culture is so nuts. Give me the educational system of Sweden or Norway or wherever it was that doesn't really start academics until age 8. After 6 days of illness, a kid just starts to feel better and he's given a chance to fully recuperate, right? Wrong. He goes straight from a miserable illness to a miserable stack of makeup tests, homework, and classroom work in addition to his normal tests, homework and classroom work.

Seven is too young for all of this. When I was a kid, we occasionally had to makeup major tests, perhaps, in 2nd grade -- but not every last thing. I swear, it's another example of how judgment has been thrown out of the window among adults in this country.

I really feel that this situation is psychologically injuring to children. It's fine when they are age 10 perhaps, but for 2nd grade? Grrr.

Why is it that 'challenging work' is only found in schools that test-and-grade, test-and-grade?? I really think that for the early years, the emphasis should be on a rich, challenging environment intellectually, not constant testing. I want teachers that challenge kids to think -- quality and depth, not quantity.

[wildeyed]

1. Amen.

My older attends a charter school where the focus is on open-ended problem solving and my younger is homeschooled and for exactly the reason you point out. The emphasis at the local school was on compliance and rote learning, but my kids weren't being challenged to learn how to think or solve problems creatively, which is what you need to know to succeed in the global economy anyway. Like an employer will care that you know how to sit quietly in your seat and fill out bubble tests. In the school's defense, a lot of the parents seemed to be completely on board with the teaching methods. Maybe they have Stockholm syndrome or something.....

[elleng]

2. You are right that 'judgment' has been thrown out the window!

Have something to do with politics > public schools? Fortunately for some, there are alternatives, like charter schools (see wildeyed comment) and private/'religious' schools.

[tigereye]

3. it's just sad the way the work is piled on little kids and teens, sometimes

kids should enjoy schoolwork, as well as time to rest, play and be kids. I think that is is damaging to some kids, and a price will end up being paid down the road.



Hope your child feels better! They should be able to take some time to get better and still get schoolwork straightened out!