Answers From The Teacher
Darra Wheeler Happ

I recently received a letter from my daughter’s school reminding students and parents of the school rules concerning homework and behavior. My daughter has never been in trouble in school and frankly, we were offended by the letter because it seemed to be addressed to everyone, not just the trouble makers. So, what’s my recourse? It was signed by all the fifth-grade teachers and the assistant principal.

You need to share your thoughts with the authors of the letter. It’s often easier to do a one-size-fits-all mailing, but it’s not always the best way to go. At the very least, administrators and teachers forget the all-important line that compliments the good behavior of some students, because not every student is breaking the rules on a regular basis.

Spring had been traditionally a difficult time in school because testing is coming up, and both student s and teachers could be suffering from the stress. But again, your daughter may be handling the work and behaving properly. Therefore, you have every right to ask for a meeting and discuss this matter with your daughter’s teacher and the assistant principal. Be sure to tell them that if your daughter was getting in trouble, you would expect to hear about it in private, but that you and your daughter don’t appreciate the tone of the letter to everyone.

My son is playing baseball this spring and his participation is leaving very little time for homework. Sometimes he can barely finish it because he’s so tired. Any hints to get it all done on time?

You have to get creative and use the small bits of time that your son has to complete the work that’s assigned. First, if he isn’t doing so already, be sure your son is keeping a good homework assignment book. He needs to know what has to be done and when its due. Explain to the classroom teacher that he’s playing a sport, and that although you aren’t asking for any special favors, you’d appreciate any advance notice for upcoming projects. Some teachers know well in advance what certain homework assignments will be, so if your son can get them ahead of time, that will help him. Often, though, since teachers work day to day through the content of a subject area, the homework depends on how much gets accomplish-ed during the day.

Don’t make your son fall asleep at the kitchen table doing his homework. Size up the assignments and decide which ones he can finish if he gets up a little earlier in the morning. This may not be the best plan, but in a pinch it can help him.

Find out what time is available to him during the school day. Some teach-ers give study hall time at the end of the day to complete the day’s work or to start on homework. Make sure he is using that time wisely. Also, if his class has a snack or free time, or even a choice to stay in at recess, he may be able to get some assignments completed. You could ask his teacher to re-mind your son to use that time wisely. By teaching your son to balance his baseball and his homework, you’ll be teaching him the life-skill of getting everything completed in the allotted time. Then he’ll be just like the rest of us!

Send questions to: Answers from the Teacher, P.O. Box 54, South Egre-mont, MA 01258. Questions may also be emailed to ateacher@bcn.net.