why the f do they set "make a model" homework when they know it's the parents that end up having to do it!? grrrrr!!!

[RedOnHerHedd]

Just that really!!!
Make a model of a

Why????
Just why???

They know the kids version will be a pile of crap, and they know that that one kids parent spends a grand on hobbycraft items and makes a scale version of the Taj Mahal.

And your kid's attempt is 2 yogurt pots and a butter carton glued to a box of coco pops.

Why don't they just tell your kids "ok, so your parents homework this weekend is to make a working model of the international space station, complete with the ability to self orbit around the globe".

Guess what I'll be doing tonight!?
Making a fucking model.
Yet again.

My child had to make a model of Ernest Shackleton's ship, stuck in the ice at the South Pole. It was hopless-she did her best but other children had very professional looking efforts, and one was completely made of lego, so our toilet rolls, straws and cotton wool didn't cut the mustard. By the end of year 6 it had become a standing joke between me and the teacher- I would say 'oh no,not more craft homework' and then beg her for some maths worksheets. Luckily my daughter is laid back and wasn't fazed. I just told her that teachers know who has done it themselves, and not to worry. So she didn't.

I always let the kids do it themselves
I used to to be asked to judge fancy dress comps in the primary where my dcs went and I always gave first prize to the homemade ones.

Today I've been talking to a 5yo about his model. He is not at all academic. He designed the model, directed his daddy in the glue gun/screwdriver bits, and spent hours painting it. It is both utterly glorious and utterly childish at once. It will almost certainly turn up on the school's Twitter feed this week.

His mum told me he has spent all half term on various elements of it, and how excited he had been about going back to school.

I'm more in the "contents of the recycling taped together" camp and we're delighted if a stranger can work out what we intended to make.

But I'm far more convinced now of the benefits of such projects, maybe once a term as an absolute maximum.

'twatting around with models'?? Look around you, look at the buildings, the architecture you live amongst, if no one had 'twatted around with models' these places wouldn't exist. There 'is' a craft in making things and it is one 'we' need!

I know that taking an 'interest' in the people I love, is an expression of my love for them. It is one element and there are many other ways of demonstrating love for your child. Supporting your child in their school life is not just represented by making a model with them but I certainly am 'involved' because my DC are happy when I show this interest- I want my children to be happy so its a win win situation!

Depressingly, there are lots of children whose parents don't show an interest but the answer is not to prohibit my DC's imagination and limit their interest in the world, the answer is to raise expectations of these children and enable them to be equally inspired!

The above was in response to Jizzy's twatting around comments.

Perfect - then let the chdren decide.how they want to express their creativity. For some it's glueing boxes together, for others it's drawing, or painting, or writing. This narrow focus and slight obsession doesn't encourage creativity - for many children it stifles it. It really isn't rocket science.

*Obsession with model making

Lego and Hama beads are the answer here.

Always, always, get your children to make their models out of lego or hama beads.

Or cake.

Not if it's to be made out of recyclable materials unfortunately

'twatting around with models'?? Look around you, look at the buildings, the architecture you live amongst, if no one had 'twatted around with models' these places wouldn't exist. There 'is' a craft in making things and it is one 'we' need!

That rather depends on what you define as 'twatting'. If you've decided that term extends to any kind of making things then yes, you'd have a point, although that would be your definition only and you'd have no reason to assume it was anyone else's. Personally I think that's quite a stupid way to look at things, though. For those amongst us who are not talented in this way and have ruled out becoming the next Christopher Wren, any model making we do would indeed be 'twatting'. I can assure you that if you were to see any of my attempts, you would not be referring to them as a craft.

And this is the problem with expecting considerable parental investment in homework generally. When the parents are capable at whatever they're being asked to invest in, it's helpful. When they're not, it's considerably less so. Just the same way as my children wouldn't get as much of reading at home with me if I was illiterate. Stuff like this entrenches disadvantage. Needlessly. It's all very well rhapsodising about how the answer is to inspire the children out of their disadvantage blah blah, but this only goes so far. A child who doesn't have a space in the home to make a model, any resources to do so or any help is going to require a bit more than go grrl/boy positive thinking. Your DC can be inspired by you doing model making with them at home without school being involved, if you think this is particularly important for their creativity, and the expansion of your children's horizons is not more important than other children's right not to be unnecessarily excluded from learning.

Can you say the lego is second hand sirchenjin, or is that reaching a bit too far?

Exactly. They should be doing model-making at school, where it's a level playing field and they can all have access to the same materials at no personal cost. Involving parents is nice in theory; in practice it over-involves those parents who are involved anyway, and highlights disadvantage for those children who don't have that. And financial disadvantage too.

I don't think model-making in itself is unimportant at all, but I don't like it being used to highlight which kids have parental support, involvement and cash and which don't.

Yes, people who think model making is very important should be the ones who are most against it being shunted onto homework instead. If you want all children to have an opportunity to develop this particular craft, why are you advocating a method of teaching that excludes some of them? You should be demanding adequate school time access for all! Yarning on about empowering children out of their disadvantage is going to do absolutely sod all. Meanwhile, how much creative talent is being pissed away?

Jizzy

Stretching things a bit too far, I fear. I pushed my luck with clay, but figured it could be recycled into an ash tray with a hammer if required. There was no 'craft' involved in his model, I can assure you. A bit of Pritt, a paper towel scrunched up in fury and a hastily and half hearted and hastily scribbled window for the squirrel to peer out of was the sum total of his model making.

I didn't prohibit his imagination though - I let him go back to his Minecraft world where he's at his happiest and where he finds inspiration. In between mouthfuls of coffee and back episodes of Judge Judy I showed vague interest in what he'd built. Win win!

My least favourite make ever was a gingerbread house a la Hansel & Gretel. Mainly because it had sweets & biscuits so I couldn't keep it for younger DCs in case they got same project. I have stashed away, amongst other things, an Egyptian jewellery box, a Viking shield and a bike with pedals & wheels that actually move (DH did that one). So far I haven't managed a "here's one we made earlier" but I just know the minute I chuck them out that will be next week's homework.

One too many hastilys there

Just let your kid do it, so what if its not perfect. That's the beauty of art.

I am talking about 'design' and you are being quite narrow minded and dare I say it, 'unimaginative', if you think the only benefit of 'model making' is just that- to make a model. 'You' may not be the next Christopher Wren or Norman Foster but how about if your child is and wants to be encouraged in that, are you going to say, 'Sorry but we can't make this model despite your undeniable passion for the activity and the process of model making, it is not fair on the children who have shit parents and it entrenches disadvantage.'
'Parent, can't you just indulge me in my childhood desires a bit and stop politicising my life?'

'No, sorry dear it's not just about you, dreary as that may seem.'

'Oh...'

I'm happy to buy all the related tat they need (glue, skewers, tape, paint) and even cut the skewers and wire.

But - why have them in Half Term?
What about pupils who are away on holiday or visiting relatives or just relaxing as it's their holiday

Oh my actual god squirrel - that's exactly what I said to DS. Quite uncanny.

The narrow minded and unimaginative is to throw one medium at them and tell them to 'make a model'. The more open minded and imaginative approach would be give the children design options - whether that's 3D, 2D, IT based, paint based or the written word - and ask them to come up with something themselves. But of course, you know that really.

I agree that there should be answer like 'homework club' so it's an equal playing field but the answer IMO is not to not do it at all!

If you had a child who was passionate about model making, but you wouldn't let them do it at home unless it was a school project goldensquirrel, that would be your bizarre and idiotic decision and the responsibility would rest solely with you. If you're only going to do things with your kids that are homework, you probably shouldn't be calling anyone else a shit parent. Because really, this particular problem could be solved by you, like, letting them make models that they don't then take into school. Would mean they get to make even more models too, if they were doing it in school as well as at home. Radical I know!

Meanwhile, since you're so passionate about the benefits of model making, let's hear what you'd say to a child who's not yours, but nonetheless really wants to do it. And is being denied the opportunity because for whatever reason their home life won't allow it, and the school is dealing with that particular curriculum requirement by devolving it to parents. Go on, I'm sure we'll all be amused to hear it. It'll be almost as funny as your desperate attempts to ignore the fact that if parents aren't good at something, be it model making or literacy, they're not going to be able to do as good a job in teaching their children as parents who are and/or could buy in help if needed.

Jizzy what a load of cobblers. There isn't a subject on earth that doesn't exclude someone - if measured by lack of interest or lack of ability. Design, engineering, the ability to work in 3D, technology - they are all important and where they start is with wobbbly piles of cardboard boxes stuck together.

Right Jizzy, so let's extrapolate that. Kids, no reading at home because not everyone has access to books. No football for you Lily, cause John doesn't get opportunity to play. In school or not at all. Really?

'Drawing' is a different skill to 'making' so maybe at primary level, when alot of children haven't discovered their aptitude for things yet, it is important to help children discover these skills rather than never being exposed to methods that would allow them to find out!

But what if you (the parent) are still crap at models? I can't make anything myself for toffee. Ridiculously pleased to have been able to put together a flat pack desk at the weekend - even if I say so myself.

My daughter (9) can draw better than I can - my people look like the ones on road signs.

I leave her to do all the making - I really don't think she would thank me for helping.