AIBU to not want to do my son's homework?

[Themayorofshitterton]

DS is in Year 5. They're doing Victorians. For his half term homework he has chosen two subjects, factories and Queen Victoria. All very well, except teacher has decreed that they can't just hand in something written with pictures. It has to be different. Wtaf?! What is DS meant to do? Build a scale model of a Victorian factory from toothpicks? Mould a bust of Queen Vic from cookie dough? He is only interested in football and gaming, but does well in maths and literacy at school. What do they want from him??? DP and I have zero creative skills but we're going to have to think of - and make - something with him which none of us will enjoy as we'll be crap at it. I just want to tell teach to shove it but suspect that won't do DS any favours.... Help!

It has to be handed in next Friday so there won't be time to wait until after half term to talk to his teacher, we are going to have to get started in the hols. When I'm mostly working. Argh.

A poster?

Build a factory in minecraft.

And for Queen Victoria... erm do a podcast of him interviewing her? Ie he writes list of questions and answers and makes a recording of him asking and you answering?

I agree though it does all sound rather a load of shite.

Dont do it. Do not get sucked in. It is his homework, let him get on with it. He needs to decide what to do, not you. Make some suggestions by all means but do not do it for him. It's not your problem.

Buy a factory-made Victoria sponge?

Factories - how global warming was started with the Victorians?
Queen Victoria - how many pubs are named after her?

That would be 'different'.

(I hate 'different' homeworks too. Doesn't go away at secondary either.)

Ooo, I like that idea knitted. Like writing with pictures, only bigger. We can do that! You're a genius.

A PowerPoint presentation?

Was also going to suggest Minecraft factory

I like your take on the subjects teen but still writing with pictures. Unless we video him in a pub called the Queen Vic talking about factories!

Create a word search of words to do with queen Victoria?

Do a power point presentation on factories? Or vice Versa...

Keep it simple but 'different' by making the writing and pictures into a book, with a front cover giving the title, 'Author' etc. He can do a contents page and split the writing into chapters, e.g. 'Princess Victoria', her prime ministers, her children etc. staple together and bob's yer uncle.

To be a bit passive aggressive he could have a dedication page - 'To all those who try to do something different'........

Paint a picture of queen Victoria in oils on a canvas?

Minecraft, great idea.

rhubarb I'd love to not get involved but if I don't get involved on some level he will do nothing and that is seen as a parental crime...

You're brilliant people! In 5 mins you have come up with more suggestions that the entire family could muster over the whole of lunch.

The word search thing is v v quick to do-my DC have used it many a time when time is short and they aren't interested in a subject!

A news report? Record it on a mobile in front of a factory/ picture of a factory? Or interview you dressed up as QVic?

Why don't you let your son decide what he wants to do.

Then let him do it.

This is the type of homework our school has. My DC have to complete one every 2 weeks. My DS isn't very creative and hates it. DD loves it. They can do anything.They have castles this time and DD is making one out of shortbread. DS is doing a poster.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00I5J56PM/ref=mp_s_a_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1486919717&sr=8-28&pi=SL75&keywords=Queen+Victoria&tag=mumsnetforum-21 he could go to school wearing this - and point out it was made in a factory both topics covered with the "different" twist emphasised.

That homework sounds like an off the top of the head random improvisation by someone with a hangover pick a topic and do something different? :o

Actually there are web sites that autogenerate word searches and cross words for free (I use them for EFL teaching fillers occasionally)

www.puzzle-maker.com/cgi-bin/wswo.cgi

www.puzzle-maker.com/

Sorry link fail in previous post

It makes me grateful that most of my homework consisted of copying chunks out of the text book and handing it in..

Like PPs, I have no creativity either.

I agree with just letting the DC get on with their homework - my job is to make sure the time / space / resources (ie pens etc) are available - and then off they go.

Design a new dress for Queen Victoria for a poster/ do a quick facts sheet about her?
Minecraft factory would be great too.

Just don't do it. If parents stop doing this crap, teachers will stop setting it OR will have realistic expectations about what kids can achieve alone.

I would ignore the brief and just get ds just to do something with pictures and a bit of writing - after all, its not like the teacher is going to do anything about it.

Thank God we are done with primary school in our household - it was a trying time!