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Reply With QuoteDid you speak to the teacher DIRECTLY about the misunderstanding?
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On Friday my fifth grader brought home literature regarding National Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children, which is being celebrated tonight, 9/28. My daughter told me the teacher said the related homework was due Monday, which I thought must be a mistake since the information and the website say it's to be celebrated Monday.
Anyway, daughter only had some of the homework done as we hadn't eaten the dinner yet for her to complete the interviews. The teacher made her sit at the "homework table" during lunch for not completing the rest, and even though she knew it was a misunderstanding and that we were planning on having the dinner tonight. So daughter had to work on other assignments not due yet and try to eat at the same time and miss recess with her friends. I may be weird but I don't think any kid should have to do schoolwork during lunch, they need the time to eat.
We're a busy family of 7 with another on the way and lately it's necessary for us to plan ahead to have a meal together. I think the Family Day/Dinner is a great idea and we'd planned on doing it on the date indicated. Is it wrong for me to think she should not have been punished for not having the work in yet?
Re: Frustrated with my daughter's teacher re Family Day Not yet as I was just told a little while ago about what happened. I'm waiting to email or talk to the teacher until I can discuss the situation with my husband. I know the teacher personally (since she was in fifth grade) and the principal/superintendent is our neighbor, so we're very comfortable with bringing up any issues.Originally Posted by beth119
Re: Frustrated with my daughter's teacher re Family Day I agree that having to do the missed work during lunch is inappropriate. Kids need time to eat and clear their heads. Even though it was a misunderstanding, not an intentional skipping of homework, I do think it was right of the teacher to require the work be done during the day. Our students would miss recess in this case, or would do it in study hall.
Re: Frustrated with my daughter's teacher re Family Day The only part of the work she did not complete was that which was to be done at the dinner. There was no way for my daughter to complete it at school whether it was lunch/recess/ whatever. The teacher had her do other work that had not been missed.
Re: Frustrated with my daughter's teacher re Family Day I would call the teacher and principal and set an cousult up with them. This was unacceptable. In no way should they have taken lunch and made her do work, ya silent lunch maybe. I can't say I wouldn't have a big problem with the teacher on this one. I can see taking recess for homework not getting done, but if there flyer said on monday, then, It should have been turned in on tuesday. Set talks up with them ASAP. Sounds like they are trying to make an example out of your child.
Between working, getting ready to move, sports, taking care of my mother, I might get a meal with the family 3 nights a week. And I think thats weekend. lol. Too much to do, not enough hours. lol
Re: Frustrated with my daughter's teacher re Family Day Sorry, but she didn't do the work. It isn't going to kill her to sit at the homework table at lunchtime. It isn't like she wasn't fed. It is unfortunate there was a misunderstanding about the date, but your daughter has to learn that homework is due when it is due. Like at work. The project is due at the end of the month. No one cares if you had a hiccup or misunderstanding. I know that sounds harsh, but this is a great life lesson and you should support the teacher in it while commiserating with your daughter that it was an unfortunate mistake.
Also wanted to point out that either she had lots of company with other people that made the same mistake or everyone else got their work done. If she had company, it certainly wasn't personal and if she was the only one, then come on- everyone else managed to do it despite all the same obstacles we all have and without confusion on the dates.
Tess
Re: Frustrated with my daughter's teacher re Family Day Well, according to the principal and superintendent the teacher made a mistake in saying the homework was due one day yet sending home contradictory information. He said my daughter should have been given another day to complete the interviews. I received an apology and the principal will be speaking to the teacher today. During a conference between the teacher, my husband, and I she said there were several other students punished for not having all the work in on monday, so ours wasn't the only family. The principal also said he'd also clarify with her that she is incorrect in using the lunch homework time as a punishment for missed work. It's supposed to be an opportunity for children to complete missed work, not a mandatory consequence and punishment for missing an assignment.
Re: Frustrated with my daughter's teacher re Family Day Original poster, I agree 100% with you. I would have been livid if this happened to one of my children. Children have enough to deal with during their school years without being punished for a mistake that someone else did. Both the material sent home AND the website said one thing, so I think the teacher should be punished for not doing their work correctly. One mistake may be understandable, but TWO.
As for forcing children to do missed work during lunch, what is the purpose of DETENTION? Children will be in the working world soon enough when they will have to miss meals to meet deadlines, etc. I can see no recess, but I don't think any work should be done during that time. Children need time to rest or wind down. By making them do these types of things during that built in time, the school is setting the child up for a bad afternoon, which can end up in a cycle where nobody wins.
