Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Argh! Homework!

If you have kids in elementary school you will undoubtedly feel my pain. The 4th grader has a project due. Only one problemo, he doesn't really care about the project, at least not as much as the parents and teachers do. Apparently children are lacking in wisdom and perspective about things like how important it is to practice the skills of organization of information, making a rational argument, and presenting it in a compelling manner. The also seem to lack the discipline of adults, especially high achievers who send their kids to charter schools.

This lack of wisdom and discipline usually seem like character flaws when you are tired and frustrated with your kid not toeing the homework line. But of course they are really just traits of normal kids.

It doesn't seem to improve dramatically until they hit the middle of high school or so. Then they can begin to really take responsibility for it.

Maybe other people's kids don't have this problem with homework. They are the lucky people, just like the people who are remarkably beautiful; rare people.

I have always hated homework. After about 15 years of kids in school, good thing I only have about six more years of it. Wait a tick... ARGH!

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