Would you assign a second grade class to build a longhouse (currently reading Indian in the Cupboard) the second week in December? We will do the project; however, I think it was a totally inappropriate time for it to be assigned. Also, what educational value does it have to these second graders to build a longhouse? They have read and discussed the longhouses and I can see some value in that. Maybe I could see the value if I didn't have ten million other things to do, think about, plan and prepare for at this time. lol
Just this week, DD and I had to decorate a paper Christmas tree with things found around the house for one class, learn 20 spelling words, 24 vocabulary words...spelling and meanings (these words are like perilously, cautiously, escarpment, etc.), build a longhouse, march in Christmas parade with Girl Scouts or Summer Super Achievers, Toys for Tots Santa's Secret Work Shop for Girl Scouts, extra reading to ensure DD meets her AR goal of 26.6 points, work on learning multiplication facts...these are the things that come to mind right off hand. Also, DD's class started writing a book for a contest for the Director's Writing Celebration...which is a pretty intense project. Oh, and won't I please attend the book fair with DD tomorrow?

Ok, I feel better now that I have whined. I just feel resentful on this longhouse project. Is it me (maybe my thyroid medicine needs raised lol) or does this seem like a lot? I do tend to think it is probably just me; but, I do wonder.

I can understand how you would be burnt out. This is a very busy and stressful time of year. Since it has to be done maybe you can personally take the "longhouse state of mind" and take a nice hot relaxing shower. And a longhouse is a place of discovery and spiritual growth. Maybe a longhouse is just what you need right now. Imagine yourself in the longhouse and meditate for a while. Maybe this project was thrown at you for a reason. Sometimes the people and situations we resent the most are the ones we learn the most from.
Maybe you can skip something. As for the book fair unless there are books you want to buy just skip it. Every parent cannot possibly attend everything and it sounds to me like you are a pretty involved parent. Don't feel guilty for saying no.
No is virtually the same word in all languages. God it made so for a reason! LOL so everyone will understand when you say it.

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why would you do it ? It's your dd's assignment, correct ? Not meant to be snippy..just wondering why you would stress over it. what sort of materials would that need ? Wont she have all Christmas break to work on it ? I know many times the kids burn and crash after all the presents are opened..the long house will give your dd time to calmly work on something.

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Hi I am a teacher. I teach 5th grade. From what you have discribed it sounds like your daughter is in an advance group or school. The fact that she needs 26.6 points for AR in the second grade means that she is a good reader and can handle the work. Is the project due before Christmas or after Christmas? Talk with your daughter. She might have ideas already but just needs materials. In fact, you could use the materials that the boy gives to the Indian in the book. Just relax. Your daughter will love doing it.

Last year my class made our hallway into a longhouse.

Anna...great advice and perspective offered in your post. Thanks. I needed that.

Cubmom2...I won't do the project. Yet, I will have to gather the materials for the project. Weather has not been such that I can get the things from nature this week. I normally keep a well stocked craft supply box; however, I just recently depleted it for the Girl Scout workshop. DD's troop is new and has little resources. Troop leader says no other parents are contributing...not even dues. Also we have only this week to complete the project. If we had through Christmas break to complete it, that would be awesome. But she will complete the project and I will round up some workable supplies today. Not such a big deal. I am just a bit overwhelmed with the month of December. I resented the lack of consideration in the timing of said project. I have regrouped my thought process and will carry on. lol

Read52... DD is in advanced reading and math. Those are the two leveled classes her school has. She maintains them well with no less than a 97% grade on grade card. AR points have not been a problem for her ever. However, she is a bit behind this month. She reads for an hour each night...at her own insistance. She goes to bed at 8 and reads until 9 because she desires to do so and resents interruptions to her reading schedule. If she can manage to read the last 100 pages in her Diary of a Wimpy Kid book (by tonight) that is worth 3 points, she should make her goal. Reaching this goal has been her focus this week and she reminds me that we need to get materials for the longhouse but has no ideas for it. I have thought about what she needs and will gather materials today. She will do the project. I would love to have had the time and focus for us to gather materials from nature to complete the project. That would have been awesome. I don't resent the project so much, just the timing. We had hoped to have the weekend free to bake cookies and make candy, listen to Christmas music and sing, wrap some of the gifts, etc. That has great value to a child too. On a brighter note, this will teach her to face challenges and accept detours (better than her momma lol).
I love the fact that your class make a longhouse in a hallway at school. That is awesome! Great and fun learning experience. I can see where it could build excitement for the lower grade classes of things to come as they reach higher grades. I am going to suggest this idea to DD's teacher.

Thank you all for your help in adjusting my way of thinking. That is what I needed.

One thing I have noticed with my kids when they have projects, is when they were younger, I would start to formulate a picture in my mind of what it should look like, what materials they needed, etc. I soon learned that they do the same thing and they are the ones putting it together. I started taking them to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and just walking around the store, they can take the picture in their head and figure out what they need and then they can do the project. They always do great and I help very little, if at all. So, maybe if she knows what she needs to accomplish, if you take her to the resources, she can figure it out and it's no stress for you - other than paying for the supplies.

I also keep a cabinet full of leftover supplies from each project where we "shop" 1st before we head to the craft store.

Lisa

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Now that my son is grown I look back on his (and my) torturous 2nd grade class. They required the same high intensity of work. It was miserable and such high pressure. Gee whiz the kids are only 7-8. He was my first and very bright and I went with what the teacher told us. I was very involved, yet my son didn't tell me everything that was going on during class. Another student told his mom who told me towards the end of the year: my son did so well that the teacher made HIM tutor kids DURING HIS LUNCH BREAK and RECESS. My son was so intimidated he never told me. There were other things as well.
Now my son was in the special honors group in elementary, junior and senior high. Graduated with honors from HS and College. Looking back, was all that pressure necessary? I don't think so, ESPECIALLY at 8 years old.
Just my take on the issue.

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Do you have to use nature products ? I am assuming you mean twigs or branches for the siding of the house..perhaps you can go to Michael's and buy some sort of brown paint and stencil a wood design on popsicle sticks ? ( also available at Michaels) You may run into some great markdowns while you're there too !

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Lisa, I agree. That was my original plan. Yet there is no time for a shopping trip with her due to other things she must complete and do. I try not to get involved too much in the actual project. I make supplies available for her to choose from and tell her have at it and she does great. So, I will go today and get some supplies and she can pick and choose what to use.
Rose, the pressure I think is worse for me than for my daughter. lol The biggest pressure DD has at school is to be careful not to be a kid. She is a good kid but she is 7 and does tend to act her age but no more so than others. I hate that they are so strict and punishment is unreal for offenses. It is a big stress for her and I personally think that is why she is a bit behind on AR this month. But she is strong and has a good support system at home so she will survive it. I won't let the school get too outta hand with their expectations. Aliyah did tutoring in computer lab in kindergarten and first grade. She loved it and acted as though it was the most natural thing and no big deal. I was surprised.
Cubmom, she doesn't have to use nature products. I just thought it would be awesome to do it that way, for many reasons, if time permitted. Nature products were suggested but not required. Since she has to read so much this evening, I will just go to Hobby Lobby (we have no Michaels) and restock our craft supplies with this project in mind as well. She can pick and choose what she wants to use. If she needs something I miss, I will run out to get it this weekend. Sure hope there are some good markdowns. That would be a mood lifter. hehe Thanks for the good suggestions. They will spur my imagination when shopping.

I just wanted to add that my school just started this year with the AR program for reading. It is a great program but it is interesting how some kids are handling it.
Some of the best readers are not reading as much as they should. It is part of their reading grade in my school. The school set a goal of 30 minutes a day for leisure reading. Most of the teachers give at least 15 min. a day in class so they only have to do another 15 min. at home.

I am sure your daughter will do well. P.S I read "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Watch out for the cheese touch.