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Go back to Moms Unite Page Tackling Class Projects

"Mom, I need a three-dimensional model of Victoria Falls by Friday. Can you help me?"

And, yes...that has happened to me. I've become the queen of projects. I had to...I had no choice. My husband isn't exactly mechanically inclined, and if it's not 'put this slot in that hole' and you have to figure out how to do a project with limited resources (clay, wood and things at the local hobby shop), he's stuck.

Now, I know what you're saying. The kid should do his/her own projects. Let me tell you a little story.

My son, in fifth grade, had a project due that I knew almost nothing about. I didn't know the exact topic, didn't know the due date, but did know it had something to do with the civil war. He did his own work, because we'd taught them that the important things in life are learned and not done for you. You do your own work and do it well.

I didn't know what he did for this project until I went to an open house at the school. All the projects were on display, and my son's project in no way could compete with the children whose parents had done the projects for them. My son had done a poster of the battles in the Civil War, and even though he'd done a great job on research, his neatness looked like a fifth grader had done it. That should be fine, right? No. He got an 'F' on that project because, in comparison to the children who brought in REAL swords, or who had designed an entire battle on a painted board with the plastic warriors going at it, my son hadn't done the job right.

My son and I both complained to the teacher. He'd done his own work, and didn't whine to Mommy and Daddy to do it for him. How could he possibly get an 'F' on that project?

She simply turned to the rest of the projects. "How can I give him a good grade when the others did work like this?"

Being an ex-teacher myself, I had to agree. He couldn't compete with his own skills, but was actually up against the parents and not the other students. It was at that defining moment that I made a decision, and one I don't regret, even though other parents berate me for it. I would help out with all future projects for my children. And for my son with Asperger's Syndrome, I'd do whatever it took to get the job done. He's extremely bright, and I didn't think it was fair for him to get bad grades because he has poor motor skills and is lacking in organizational skills.

So, when your child has a project due, don't just let it up to him/her. It's not about that. They're competing with other parents for their grades. It's not like when I was a child, and we did the projects in school.

Since fifth grade, my son has had numerous projects due, and my daughters have the same things due. Even my nephews in California have this type of thing due, and I've helped out somewhat where I could.

Here's a partial list of things that I've worked on for various children, not all my own:

a leaf project consisting of finding leaves from trees and creating a scrap book that's typed and professionally done
a float for a country in Central America, large enough to be pulled in a parade
a recipe and food from Central America along with various other items including a brochure on the Dominican Republic
a monthly project on the country of Lithuania including many 3-dimensional items--souvenirs from that country, a national monument or well-known building, import/export items in 3-D, etc. as well as foods, a bound recipe book and brochures
various book projects that aren't just book reports--like a pizza box, divided into sections describing the book
home made items to sell at a bazaar in class (no kidding on that one)
dress for the olden days, such as an old-time dress and a bonnet for girls and knickers for boys
a website for a country...complete with domain name AND on the internet (no kidding)
powerpoint presentations galore

And the list goes on and on and on.

To all you teachers out there, listen up. Projects are stupid. The kids don't learn as much as you think they do, and you're stressing out the parents. It should be FOR the STUDENTS, NOT the PARENTS to learn and do. Every project SHOULD be done in school, and they don't need fancy media to do it. This year alone, I've contributed boxes...and I mean BOXES of clay for one project for my youngest daughter--and we've only been in school for a month.

As a parent, I'm tired of the stupid projects that are assigned. If I could have all the money I've spent on projects, I'd be rich and I think I could retire to the Bahamas. If it means a promotion to you, forget it. I used to teach. Promotions and kudos aren't gotten by handing out projects to the kids. They're earned by hard work and actually teaching students something worthwhile.

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