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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fine with the children ignoring all set work for art and drama?

90 replies

Sethy38 · 12/01/2021 10:35

School has developed a truly superb home schooling platform. Lots of live lessons and interesting work. In fact, I’m in awe!

It’s full on though. 3 hours of live lessons my youngest has today (8) and then couple of hours set work on top of that.

Now, art and drama. My children are not that way inclined at all! Never have been. They’re academic and sporty. Art and drama is of no interest. So I’ve been very relaxed about them doing squat all and instead carrying on with set work for English, maths etc or outside in garden playing football/ basketball etc

Anyone else doing the same?!

OP posts:
InTheCludgie · 12/01/2021 10:58

I think you have to do what you have to do tbh. My DCs are 6 and 10 and currently DH and I are helping a child each but he works every Friday and I am a full time student, online classes start back in two weeks. Friday is going to be my busiest day (4.5 hours worth of classes) so there is no way I can do everything on that day. Like you, I'll focus more on maths and literacy between my class breaks or end of the day.

Fuzzmutt · 12/01/2021 11:04

@Sethy38

School has developed a truly superb home schooling platform. Lots of live lessons and interesting work. In fact, I’m in awe!

It’s full on though. 3 hours of live lessons my youngest has today (8) and then couple of hours set work on top of that.

Now, art and drama. My children are not that way inclined at all! Never have been. They’re academic and sporty. Art and drama is of no interest. So I’ve been very relaxed about them doing squat all and instead carrying on with set work for English, maths etc or outside in garden playing football/ basketball etc

Anyone else doing the same?!

This made me think of the scene in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" where the oafish stockbroker says something along the lines of "What's the point of studying the novels of Wordsworth?"
poorbuthappy · 12/01/2021 11:06

Drama and PE are being ignored for the year 7s.
Art is being done because they both enjoy it!

Original poster
Sethy38 · 12/01/2021 11:07

* This made me think of the scene in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" where the oafish stockbroker says something along the lines of "What's the point of studying the novels of Wordsworth?"*

That’s English. Not art and drama

OP posts:
LickEmbysmiling · 12/01/2021 11:12

I think drama is essential actually and everyone should do it - it makes you think about yourself in a different way - consider your body movements, your actions, face expression, it also literally makes you walk in someone else s shoes.

I also think art is super important- however at 8 years old in a crisis, you need to work on what you need to work on. I am not attempting the other subjects, it takes me all day to get DD to do her reading and maths!

peak2021 · 12/01/2021 11:14

Sad to read that your children have no interest in art and drama, but pleased to read your insistence about maths and English.

picklemewalnuts · 12/01/2021 11:14

I'd say that it's important, possibly even more important if that isn't your interest//strength.

The point of a wide curriculum is to develop different regions/activities in the brain. Things like empathy, imagination, visual senses etc.

It isn't about learning about art of becoming a skilled artist, it's about brain and character development.

Love51 · 12/01/2021 11:16

I think that the subjects that you aren't naturally talented at can be the most important. Drama is definitely important, it helps you understand your body and perspective taking, as well as the script.

Icanseegreenshoots · 12/01/2021 11:19

Choose your battles.

Chanandlerbong01 · 12/01/2021 11:20

I think they are being taught that they don’t have to try what they don’t like/aren’t good at. They might lack resilience as they get older. It is also on the curriculum for a reason, I appreciate people have a lot on and are struggling at the moment and I think that is an acceptable reason to cut back, but I think because they aren’t interested isn’t.

Fuzzmutt · 12/01/2021 11:23

It's possible that there's a crossover between English and art and drama, isn't it? However, I respect your right to do what you feel is best.

Smileandtheworldsmileswithyou · 12/01/2021 11:23

Drama is really important, but mostly why would you any them to fall behind in these subjects? When they return they will find it difficult to catch up if they have done no work at all for them. Encourage them to have a go, it’s only 1 lesson a week.

Porcupineintherough · 12/01/2021 11:26

How does an 8 year old "fall behind" in drama? Honestly OP that sounds fine.

actiongirl1978 · 12/01/2021 11:29

We had the same timetable in the spring when DS was in Yr5.

I skipped DT, games, PE, ICT, and I helped him a Lot with geog and hist.

We just concentrated on English, maths, science, art, and he carried on having his normal drama lessons with a specialist teacher on zoom.

He has however put on a lot of weight and would happily not leave the house for a month at a time so although I had to drop PE as it was too much like hard work, I probably shouldn't have done.

MusicalTrifleMonkey · 12/01/2021 11:29

Isn’t it an important life lesson that they have to do things sometimes that they don’t want to?

I’m not in your situation so I can’t really judge, but maybe encourage them to give it a go rather than just completely ignoring it?

B1rthis · 12/01/2021 11:31

With some schools doing really well with online work and others barely remembering they have students are parents not tempted to record/share resources with friends whose children go to other schools that are poop?

zaphodbeeble · 12/01/2021 11:34

And what about the teacher who’s spent the time to set that work ?

Original poster
Sethy38 · 12/01/2021 11:35

@actiongirl1978

We had the same timetable in the spring when DS was in Yr5.

I skipped DT, games, PE, ICT, and I helped him a Lot with geog and hist.

We just concentrated on English, maths, science, art, and he carried on having his normal drama lessons with a specialist teacher on zoom.

He has however put on a lot of weight and would happily not leave the house for a month at a time so although I had to drop PE as it was too much like hard work, I probably shouldn't have done.

Oh no chance of that. As I write this they are outside playing hockey!
OP posts:
Meredithgrey1 · 12/01/2021 11:36

Out of interest, what work is set for drama? I imagine it’s very hard for teachers to come up with activities children can do alone?

Fuzzmutt · 12/01/2021 11:37

@zaphodbeeble

And what about the teacher who’s spent the time to set that work ?
I am sure that they will feel that they have done their job.
BlusteryLake · 12/01/2021 11:38

Mine are a bit older, but for my son in Y7 we are focusing on keeping up with the subjects he will be taking for GCSE. He too is not inclined the way of art, drama and music. He is attending all the lessons and turning in the assignments but I am definitely not as all-over the standard of those in the way that I am with his strongest subjects.

Fizbosshoes · 12/01/2021 11:42

My DS was 10 in the last lock down and it was a drama to get him to sit and do work for more than about 10 min at a time. In the end I made sure we did all maths , english and science, and anything else was a bonus.He is not naturally artistic but he has really enjoyed a couple of the activities (although they were step by step guides to drawing a particular thing, I think he would struggle/lose interest with free hand, or more creative tasks)
My DD is doing GCSEs and very diligent and sticks to her work and timetable. She isvery artistic and spends a lot of extra time on art. However she is the least sporty person imaginable. If I can get her to go for a walk once a week, it's a win and shes certainly not interested in any of the optional pe challenges! I'm not forcing anything

actiongirl1978 · 12/01/2021 11:42

@Sethy38 I wish. We have all the equipment a child could wish for and a large garden and the countryside outside the door. He'd rather watch science experiments on YouTube or build lego.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 12/01/2021 11:43

I would see it in the same way as perhaps other families might ignore PE! If you substitute with something productive and not just watching TV then I don't see a problem with it. But I would say try to do some of it. Even if you do your own version of it. If they don't like art then maybe see if you can get them to try a different craft. Or even outdoor arty stuff like arranging twigs, leaves etc to make arty things in the garden, doesn't feel like traditional art but still is. I do think all subjects are valid ones but equally I agree it is currently a best efforts basis and as long as the main subjects get done then especially in primary I think it is ok.

actiongirl1978 · 12/01/2021 11:45

@Fizbosshoes my DD is 13 and the same. Incredibly diligent academically but another one who has turned her nose up at the amazing hiit and yoga bids posted by school!

I should just say OP that DS10 has not suffered from letting some of the curriculum slide last year. He is kow in Yr6 with a full timetable 8.40-4 and does every piece of work for every subject and does his prep without complaint. He does not appear to be behind.