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Original poster

Y8 English Lit - is it appropriate to ask pupils to draw characters/scenes for homework?

36 replies

cavell · 25/01/2013 20:51

That's it, really.

DD1 is in Y8 of a grammar school and, for the fourth time this year, her English homework has been along the lines of "read the description of so-and-so on pages 18-21, and make a sketch of him/her/it".

Is it me, or is this pointless and inappropriate homework for this age group (supposedly of high ability, given that it's a grammar school)? I feel inclined to complain, but wonder whether I am simnply out of touch with how things are done in schools these days.

OP posts:
Original poster
cavell · 25/01/2013 21:05

I've just asked dd for clarity on this and she said: "Mrs X said she doesn't like marking essays as she's dyslexic so that's why we have to do pictures". Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
cavell · 25/01/2013 21:02

"fourth time this year" means this school year.

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LineRunner · 25/01/2013 21:00

I think it sounds rubbish. But that's just me.

Original poster
cavell · 25/01/2013 21:00

Sketch in this instance very definitely means "drawing a picture" in the literal sense, not in the metaphorical sense of "drawing picture with words". She is meant to colour it in, fgs!

One homework specified labels - but this was along the lines of "brown wavy ahir" and "ragged dress".

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ReallyTired · 25/01/2013 20:58

Drawing a character is quite a challenging homework if done properly.

Ie. inference of knowing what period the character is in. Expression on their face, behaviour. I would expect the diagram to be labelled and the child to show that they truely understood the text and could read between the lines. (inference)

Engelsemama · 25/01/2013 20:58

If I set reading homework, then I want to make sure the students have done it and that they understand it. I either ask my students to write a paragrpah summary, a bullet point summary or answer some study questions which require them to demonstrate their understanding. This is just another way of getting the students to show they understand what has happened.

They're probably heading towards an essay or extended written task which they may not be able to start working on until they have finished the whole novel/play.

ravenAK · 25/01/2013 20:55

If that's all there is to it, then it's not brilliant.

If it's 'read the description, draw the character & label with 6 key quotations selected from pages 18-21', with a view to the discussing their quote choices in class & using them as the basis of an analytical essay, that would be more the sort of thing I'd set for top set year 8.

(I teach English in a good comp.)

Engelsemama · 25/01/2013 20:54

fourth time this year - do you mean this school year or 2013?

Roseformeplease · 25/01/2013 20:54

Although a "character sketch" can also mean sketching with words ( ie notes) so you could choose to get your daughter to interpret it this way.

GinandJag · 25/01/2013 20:53

I don't see why it would be inappropriate for an occasional homework.

Roseformeplease · 25/01/2013 20:52

Totally rubbish....teaches nothing. If you want them to show understanding without formal writing then a mind map or notes would be better.