[3girls1boy]

What do you do about schools who basically stop teaching in the last week of school? All my seventh grader did in the last week was have "free days" or do worksheets, or watched videos (not educational ones) while the teachers sat at their desks and worked on grades. That and go on field trips.

Once earlier in the year I talked to the principal about a different policy I did not agree with and was basically stonewalled.

I am thinking of writing a letter to the discrict superintendent, since this thing kind of thing (hardly any teaching going on in the last week of school) is pretty common.

 

[A&A]

If your child only had one week of wasted school time, I'd say that's pretty lucky. My dd's whole school year was wasted (except for the friends she made.)

 

[2GR8KIDS]

This was our first year in PS and I was surprised at how much the pace varied over the year. It seems like the kids were speeding from one thing to the next for most of the year, then the last few weeks things came to a screeching halt. I think this is pretty common, unfortunately. Especially in higher grades, where they get tested- I have heard that there can be lots of downtime after the testing is over. I don't have a problem with kids having some free time, or less stressed time, at school. I just wish it could be spread more evenly throughout the year! And, I admit, it really bothered me that they watched several movies during the last couple of weeks.

 

[alegna]

Former teacher here- it's pretty common to not do anything the last week or two of school. Among other issues- to get report cards out on the last day of school grades have to be turned in a week or two ahead.....

-Angela

 

[dziejen]

My dd had a terrific year in 3rd grade -- our best yet, actually -- and the last week did have a Field Day, a field trip to see their senior pen pals one last time (at the senior center), and ice cream social with their kindergarten buddies (whom they have been doing activities with all year) and 2 assemblies (one to do a play and a recorder "concert" for the parents, one on the last day of school). While the kids were certainly having a lot of fun, I do think these things all had value. I think the activities gave them a chance to say goodbye and have fun with one another before the summer break as well as putting some closure on the year and the activites they were doing. Having been in school a lot this year as a volunteer (at least once a week) I guess I realized how much the kids were doing and learning this year and think it's nice that they get to socialize and enjoy one another as well -- after all isn't that the big argument that children not in school don't get enough "socialization"

I do think agree with the PP though that worksheets and videos can be a waste of time -- seems they could've made better use of that time for sure.

 

[Patrice#1]

Yup! My kids hardly did anything the last week or so of school either. They did go on field trips though, which was good.

 

[Alkenny]

My kids still did a few things the last week of school, but I agree that it was more winding down sort of things. I think the kids are getting wound up for summer and hard to keep their attention anyways though.

 

[UUMom]

I have an 11 yr old in public school and he's been having a fun time this week. They've played math bingo, watched a couple of 'educational' movies having to do with their studies, went on a fiield trip to The Freedom Trail in Boston and hung out at Fanuel Hall, had take out pizza, played hang man, etc etc. It's not been a week, more like 4 days. He seems very happy, and they do seem productive. I didn't have a problem with it at all. In fact, i think oublic schools would do well to lighten up all year 'round. Math bingo and hang man, reading books aloud, plus cool field trips are enjoyable and still 'educational'. If it were more like this, in general, I wouldn't be transferring him back to his old private school in the fall, where kids bring sleds to school when it snows. Among other really cool things.

 

[CarrieMF]

THis is my dd's last week. I'm not sure what they did Monday, but I heard alot of squealing & whistle blowing from the schoolground. Yesterday was the same thing, from 8:30-3:30, I asked her and the bits I got out of her they spent alot of time outside yesterday. Today I don't know what they're doing for the first 2 hours, but then the school is being bussed to the park to eat their dinner and then go swimming at the pool. Tomorrow is family fun day, the kids do different activities and the families are there to watch. There is a hotdog(yeah I know) lunch provided. It is kinda like a track & field day for all the kids(here they don't start competing in it until grade 3). AT the end is a tug of war between the teachers & grade 6 students. Friday they have a talent show in the morning and their last assembly in the afternoon. Report cards are picked up Tuesday I think.

 

[kris10s]

My husband teaches Latin at a private school and his students were so upset he didn't give them a week to do nothing at the end. He told them, "I'm teaching all of you next year. Why would I waste this time?" They did not understand!

 

[UUMom]

My oldest had 4 years of Latin (won a national gold medal for excellence, if i may brag). During the last month of school, his graduating class worked on a play about the Roman Gods. It was so cool. Learning anything does not have to involve control or pain. The whole school (k-8) , including the little kids, loved it. I don't think it's wrong to lighten up where the heat is literally on. Sometimes people can 'teach' but if children are dreaming of swimming and a long hot summer, they might not be very receptive. One of my problems with any formal schooling is that many teachers think learning is all about them, forgetting about the needs of the students.

Our private school didn't close grades two weeks before the kids were let out. The teachers are paid for an addtional week after that. Public school closes for teachers the same day it closes for kids. They aren't paid to figure grades after the last day of school, so it all needs to be done before the last week of school.

I don't know why we continue to think that learning can't take place in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Or that learning only looks like *one thing*-- Using a boxed curriculm.

Of course, I'm torn. 50% of my children attend school, 50% are hs'd. We learn everyday, even though we aren't sitting at desks. Even my schooled kids learn outside of school.

Any why don't kids just get dismissed from school--why even make them sit in a classroom at all in June? It's because their bodies *have* to be in the classroom a certain number of days--whether it's 'meaningful' time or not. (and if they are not doing 'school' work-work, obviously they are not learning). It's clear our system needs overhauling.

 

[sarasprings]

When I taught 4th and 5th grade, we worked up until the day before the last. I think the key is finding extremely motivating projects that are engaging and social. It's not really that hard, although it would be harder with very young children.

 

[UUMom]

Exactly! Let's accept that the children are mentally/emotionally gearing up for the luxury of summer vacation. They are antcipating some freedom! Is that so wroooong?

 

[umbrella]

I don't have a problem with them not doing anything technically academic at the end.

I do have a problem with the fact that if you don't send your kid on these free days, they're truant, and you're the neglectful parent. Most schools have strict attendance policies. Our schools are such that you get so many days you can misss in a grading period, and anything beyond that, you get automatic F's in all the classes for that period. So if a child got the flu at one point, kept up fine, but didn't bother showing up the last week where they do nothing but watch movies all day, then they fail the term?

 

[UUMom]

They need their hot little bodies in the classroom a certain number of days for funding purposes.

But i would think flu is an excused absence? At our school it would be. I also suppose I could keep him out of school for the last three days, and call him in sick. But then he would miss the fun. & from what I can see, it's pretty fun. My 11 yr old literally danced out of the house this morning, his last day of school. I think they are getting ice cream and the teachers are going to sing to them.

I am supposed to meet him at 11 with the gift he got for his teacher. (GC to book store)

i agree with the poster who talked about bonding. My son had a wonderful year and is full of stories. I think that some of us (I include myself) who can get nasty about school forget how wonderful some teachers can be and how some classroom dynamics are full of fantastic chemistry. My son's teacher says that she's not ever had a class so nice to each other and so helpful. The chemistry was nearly perfect. I am glad my son is getting all this fun time with his friends.

 

[Kirsten]

I know you are talking about the whole last WEEK... but I went to my dd1's last day of school (3rd grade) and was going back and forth between crying and laughing the entire time. Absolutely nothing "academic" but it was one of the most important days of the year - and I'd NEVER let my kid miss out on what they did that day.

For their last morning meeting (group circle), they went around three times, complimenting each other on things they'd noticed others doing. Some were hilarious, some were touching - I would have given $1000 to have a video camera! A boy who had come in new a month before school ended complimented "the entire class for being my friend". Many kids complimented a very shy girl who had grown comfortable enough to get up in front of the class and do the schedule, have a part in the annual class play, etc. A boy who has struggled academically was complimented on always stopping to help others. This went on for 20 or 30 minutes and was absolutely the neatest thing I've ever seen.

Kids were signing each others' yearbooks. Moms were taking pix. Hugs all around. No one was giving a book report or taking a spelling test but it was just as important (if not more) than the regular, school year schedule.

 

[girlndocs]

One of the reasons people send kids to school is for "socialization", isn't it? So why begrudge them the space to make their social adjustments?

As someone pointed out, these kids are gearing up for a big change in their status and schedule. They're getting ready to say goodbye for 3 months (an eternity to a little kid!) to most of the structure that has surrounded them, and the people who have interacted with them daily. It takes time to switch gears like that. For some kids it can even be traumatic.

For Pete's sake, they're not little learning machines that can just be switched on and off on an arbitrary schedule. Neither are they empty jugs that must be crammed full of "education" till the very last possible moment.

 

[Flor]

I dread those last days of school. Their brains are not there!! I plan educational activities but my classes, so respectful and on task the rest of the year, are suddenly doing no thinking, are more concerned with their yearbooks and "graduation" (from 8th grade). Plus, they know their grades have been turned in, so it's "why do we have to do this? Will this bring up my grade?" I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle by trying to teach during the last week. They don't even have pencils with them! I try to save a book related movie for that time, but I know they are watching "50 First Dates" in other rooms.

 

[Shell_Ell]

As someone who worked in a school district, it makes me ANGRY.

I saw a teacher recently who gave out a "take home exam" and reading homework for his students, but showed a video (not an educational one!) in his class periods. You guessed it- taking that time for himself to work on grades. IMO, the school year isn't over until the bell rings on the last day. Every day that our children are in class, they should be getting the most out of it.

'Free days' are NOT okay with me. Easier on the teacher, yes. And easier on the students, but we do not go to school to screw off.

 

[girlndocs]

Wow, um, I am kinda sad that kids who go to public school are apparently often surrounded by adults who regard them as little learning machines instead of social beings