Posted on 11/19/2010 3:48:58 PM PST by Califreak
How do you feel about "family tree" homework? My kids have had to do this repeatedly. To me, this seems like something that should be done at home on one's own time.
I should be homeschooling to begin with.
I personally think it is great for several reasons, it provides a connection to history, it gives them research skills that are sadly lacking in teaching today, and it often leads to interesting discoveries.
Probably yes. There might be some things about your family that you don’t want other people to know about. What if you’re adopted and don’t know anything? How is it graded?
Can of worms, IMO.
Yes, it's an invasion of your privacy
I agree with you.
This is an unnecessary exercise that is of suspect pedagogy, and was probably designed by teachers with a stalking / inquisitiveness complex.
I think it’s a total waste of school time.
My sons have done this in Cub Scouts, but the assignment would be waived if we said we thought it was a violation of our privacy. The Scouts are responsive to member concerns about things like this.
For most it is already public record. Schools had assignments like this before every thought they were evil. So I would say no.
whoa!
WHOA AGAIN!
this is awful...what about personal background info that is not told to the kids or nevermind it is none of the teachers’ or other student’s business!
Intrusions everywhere!
patdowns, TSA sexual assaults, now this!
How about teaching them REAL American history!!!
In my family tree, I was the ‘sap’. - Rodney Dangerfield
What if they treat students differently based on who they’re related to?
What about blended families? Or the poor kid whose uncle is in prison? Orphans?
Adolph Hitler had relatives in the United States. I wonder if they inclulde Uncle Dolph in their family tree.
I had similar assignments in the 1970’s. It’s a common thing to use in instruction. Worst case, make-up names.
Make up names?
LOL!
I bet that’s what people in the witness protection program have to do-or does the government provide them with a fake family tree?
I guess I don’t see the big issue. How far back are the asking the kid to go? How detailed? Have you asked if you can opt out? Have you asked what you can do instead if the child is adopted etc? Is this going to be shared? I’m sorry, sometimes it feels like people really are just trying to find things to hate about public schools (as if there aren’t plenty of things already).
But yes, if you think this sort of assignment is really a problem you should be homeschooling.
Aunt Minerva worked as a prostitute for Union soldiers but was really a spy.
What are they going to do research it themselves?
Our kids did phony ones.
We figured it was none of the school’s business and what the kids made up was a lot more interesting than the real thing anyway.
Hmm.
I like that one!
: )
My kids always were proud of the fact that through my mother's side of the family they are related to 5 former US Presidents. They also have relatives that came over from England and took covered wagons across the United States.
I figure if it bothers you that much have a talk with the teacher and ask for an alternate assignment.
I think it was an interesting assignment to give a child, but a better assignment and less invasive of a family’s privacy would be an essay about some moment in history and how it effected you or perhaps your ancestors. That question would reveal less about overall family history, and require more thought. It would even be something that those who do not know their family history could come up with an essay about.
well good for your kids. not everyone has such a stunning family tree and i think it is unnecessary when you consider how broken up many families are. give me a break.
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