Summer homework.

Chatterbox: Down to Earth

Summer homework.

Summer homework.

All right. Who invented this stuff? Why do teachers feel the need to defeat the entire /purpose/ of summer by shoveling on mindless work? This year we have to do a book report, a science report, AND one hundred math problems. I understand a reading list, even an obligation to review such-and-such math work. Or something like that. But really... In addition to that, our math teacher has made it even more unfair. The math doesn't affect your grade in any way... unless you're in the *advanced* math class. Which I am... ugh. Unfair!

Sorry, I know this must sound whiny. Anyone else have summer homework? Is it hard to work in the summer if you're homeschooled? Would anyone agree with me that this is cruel and unusual punishment, and therefore illegal?

On a brighter note, school in general. (haha, if that's the brighter note, this is sad.) What are everyone's thoughts on the upcoming school year?

submitted by Mary W., age 11.64, NJ
(August 11, 2009 - 1:21 pm)

back to the Down to Earth

I had to to do "homework" this summer! Math, and some science that I keep putting off and forgetting about but should probably finish. I am homeschooled.

submitted by Brynne, age 14, Flying away on
(August 11, 2009 - 2:19 pm)

Like right now. I could be finishing my reading. Instead I'm Cricketing/talking on the phone. Procrastination!

submitted by Mary W., age 11.64, NJ
(August 11, 2009 - 2:52 pm)

Not me, but my brother has stuff to read. I'm sure I'll get homework in 9th grade! :(

submitted by Maggie S., age 13, MN
(August 11, 2009 - 4:28 pm)

I have to read books off a reading list and write a large outline of an essay on it using 1 side of an index card for each. Then we have to use them for what our teachers call "book talks" which is probably just a fancy name for extra homework. :( And the books are like, 3rd grade level and I'll be in 7th grade!!! Ahhh! Plus, they are boring. Why?!!!

submitted by Ema, age 11, NY
(August 12, 2009 - 7:13 am)

*rubs homeschooling in face* tries to then cheer fellow New Jersian up* I am now going to call you fellow New Jersian forever! MWAHAHAHAHA

submitted by Adina , age 12, Mostly in fanta
(August 11, 2009 - 8:12 pm)

Nope, I get off scot-free in the summer...now. When I was littler I had to do summer school, though. My (homeschooled) friend's mom is making her do math during the summer. Not like I don't homeschool too, but at least I get summers off!

submitted by Emily L., age 14, WA
(August 11, 2009 - 7:46 pm)

I don't have a problem with summer homework. It doesn't defeat the purpose of summer break - the original purpose of summer vacation was for us to be able to help our families with the harvest, not for us to stop working. The tradition just happened to stay in place, even after so many people stopped farming. And I really don't mind the actual work/learning part of school.

What I do mind is the socialization. Everyone seems to hate me because I love animals and am vegan. I wish I could be homeschooled.

submitted by Ima
(August 11, 2009 - 8:16 pm)

Come live with me and Fellow New Jereyian in NJ and we could homeschool you! Puleaze?

submitted by Adina, age 1997, Mostly in fanta
(August 12, 2009 - 9:52 am)

Thanks! I would if I could!

submitted by Ima, age 11, Texas
(August 12, 2009 - 10:25 am)

Well, I had to switch math books in the middle of the year and move up a grade in math. I did math until July because of that. It wasn't so bad. And now my mom wants me to read my book report book for the first quarter of school so I can get it done faster. The book is The Yearling. The characters talk like, "I'm gonna git me a cow and learn you how to milk 'er. Yor here ma cain't do all the work." (I made up those sentences, but that really how it is. It's even spelled like that.) Now I need to go and enjoy Harry Potter for the next few days, since I'm only allowed to read it during the summer (Mom's thinks we'll get obsessed with it). I only have about 15 pages left in the 7th and then I have officially finished the series.

submitted by Mary Jo, age 13, Georgia
(August 12, 2009 - 10:12 am)

I was the one who invented it. To make children suffer through the summer "holidays" as other individuals get to have fun. HAHAHA!

submitted by Cramer N., age 13, WA
(August 12, 2009 - 10:53 am)

CRUELTY TO CHILDREN-HOMEWORK IN SUMMER

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH My mom makes me do this. I had to do 2 full pages of math every day. At the begining of summer,I also had to do 1 full page of english. I just dropped the english and I did all the math. But now there are only 2 weeks left of summer. *pouts*

submitted by Clair, age 12, Nebraska
(August 12, 2009 - 12:30 pm)

@ Adina: Haha. :D I've had worse nicknames, though, so I like that. ;)

@ Cramer: YOU!

@ Ima: Since farming has (mostly) died out, that makes the general idea of summer a time for recuperation and dividing the time between grades. If I were to go straight from fifth to sixth grade without at least a little time in between to gert myself together, recover from last year, get new supplies, etc., well... I dunno if anyone could handle all that.

*thinks* Although if I had to name one person who could, it'd probably be you. (That's a compliment, by the way.)

submitted by Mary W., age 11.64, NJ
(August 12, 2009 - 2:46 pm)

Thank you! :D

submitted by Ima
(August 13, 2009 - 11:04 am)

:)

submitted by Mary W.
(August 13, 2009 - 4:51 pm)