To think this is an unreasonable piece of homework to give to Year 4...

[BraveMerida]

DD's been given a "project" homework...basically, she has to choose a major river and write a Powerpoint presentation and then actually give the presentation to the class.

When I first got the brief, I gawped, but thought I'd leave her to get on with it and see how she goes. SHe wanted to get straight to the Powerpoint, so after getting her started with opening the Powerpoint file, she spent ages tinkering around the edges with the slides without much content. So then, I guided her to Google instead and tried to explain the process for her....research, read, make notes, highlight, write the slides and speech/presentation...I ended up spending ages printing out Wikipedia plus other material and gave her a highlighter pen to sit down with, and of course she wouldn't listen and wanted to use a Sharpen pen instead....this is the sort of homework that drive me up the wall cause it creates so many battles when I try to help and yet I know that I can't just leave her to it....

Or one downloads one of the many free compatible powerpoint alternatives.

If one's school or helpful Mn's let one know of such things. (m'lud )

Thanks for the help Just, but that's the point isn't it? It's not that I need the help with the project....apparently, I need help in how NOT to get involved and help dd with the project.

But there have been some good tips about googling age appreciate content, will pass those to her.

Blimey. I'm amazed at the homework your dc seem to get. Standard homework for our junior school is a reading book and a worksheet! No PowerPoint presentations or homework projects here.

I'd say that was fair research topic for a year 4, but yes they will need parental guidance and support to do it - but I have found most of these project type things are similar for needing input.

But I get that it is a pain in the buttocks, especially in the lead up to christmas.

I would chat for 10-15 min with my DD (also Yr4) about which river, key things to find out about it, what some of the subtitles might be - then open several tabs with kids research pages about that subject. She can make her own notes and make the PP speech on paper - then if needed I can help her open and save a file (another few minutes). Finally, I'd review it once she said she was done and check it - so another 15mins. Assuming she was willing, she would be capable of doing most of it solo, with some guidance.

jenny70

Love your world
Have you factored in "I don't want to do it, it's boring, Can I play this game I just found on the website, my pencils not working" ?

"one downloads one of the many free compatible powerpoint alternatives."
What if you don't have a computer?

Clearly we do, but I felt in primary it was only too painfully obvious which were the children with comfortably off parents, who owned a functional computer and printer, had time to help find those child-appropriate websites etc - and which children didn't.

Sure, they can make a paper alternative - although they probably also don't have a children's encyclopedia at home, and the library opening hours are minimal (and at yr 4 they're too young to go there on their own).

I still feel this project based homework is all about reinforcing educational differences, not about actually helping all the children to learn.

"Standard homework for our junior school is a reading book and a worksheet! "

Now I think that is just fine - obviously some children will get help with their reading and others not, but even those with minimal input can still read the book alone and have a stab at the worksheet. It will also be much less obvious than standing up in front of the class with a few bits of paper when others have snazzy powerpoint slides.

I should say I have no problem with them making powerpoint slides at school, on school computers, with help from the teacher and TA!

Usually children without computers are given access to school ones for homework that involves computers...but I agree that assuming all children have computer access is unfair and actually I don't like it.

But, if you have a computer - you can get software, that's all I was commenting on.