Homework

Dear Parent,
Did you see today's homework?!? What a joke. We need another worksheet like we need a damn hole in the head. Honestly, what is the point of this shit. All it does is create a stressful time of getting this out of the way so we can shlep our kid to activities. We also need to shlep the sibling to activities. We do not have time for this crap. And what about the creative poster thing we have to make? What the hell? Why do these teachers think we have all this arts & crafts lying around our house?? Now we need to go to Hobby Lobby and/or Michael's to buy stuff because we'll be damned if we let our child just use crayons. There is no way our kid's poster thing is going to look the worst. No way. What is this read for 15 minutes? We read every night. Sure sometimes we forget or don't have time or our kid reads on their own, but we do not need a reading log parenting us. The teachers need proof our kid read? Why they don't just call us a liar to our face? Homework fucking sucks. Let's ban together and send nasty emails to the teachers about how homework is ruining our lives and our child's life.  There is no point to the homework and we know we all spend countless hours bitching about it to each other.
Sincerely,
A Parent

Dear Parent,
I know I have homework. I know I need to do it now. I know we have somewhere to go. I know I need to hurry. I also know I need some down time. I need to process my day. I need to use the bathroom. I need to unwind. Please stop telling me to hurry. Please stop telling me I cannot play with friends or siblings because I have not finished my homework fast enough. Also, will you please stop hovering over my shoulder and pointing out my mistakes? I know you think you are doing what's right, but you are making me nervous. I understood the material at school, but now that you are asking so many questions, hurrying me, and parenting my sibling all the while making dinner, I am getting confused. I need help, but not the answer. I need you to provide me a quiet area and time to complete my homework. My homework is important to me. My teacher has told me to complete it independently. I love my teacher. You raised me to respect my teacher and now you are complaining about her and this assignment. I know you think you are mumbling or whispering to a friend, but I heard you. Is my homework not something I should take pride in? I don't get why it is bad. Isn't homework my job as a student? I also like the reading log. It gives me time to read or if I am lucky, you will read to me. Please do not teach me homework is a nuisance. It will not pave the road for good study habits or a positive outlook on my education. Complaining about my homework, constantly monitoring my answers, and rushing me does not make me feel good.
Sincerely,
Your Child

Dear Parent,
Yes, I know I assigned homework. Yes, I know it is annoying to you. Yes, I know your child has activities or stays late at school because you work. Yes, I know every excuse you are going to email me. Do you know homework is not my decision? I did not create that worksheet. I did not decide to start the reading log. I did not choose the creative assignment that has caused you so much angst. I have a grade level chair, a department chair, and administrators telling me what to do. I have state legislatures telling me what to do. I have curriculum to follow. I have a list of standards each child must learn by year's end, no exception. Yes, I know your child is gifted or has a learning disability. Every child has "something" they need. The homework is used for reinforcement. It is not new material. Please trust me and my years of experience over the miscommunication you hear. Please do not give the child the answer. Please just check for completion. As the teacher, I need to know which child needs to be retaught. If the child is struggling at home, take that as an indicator of to how they are doing in class. If the child is breezing through the homework, that too is an indicator of they are doing in class. I know if your child is struggling. I know if the work is too easy. I know because I am the teacher. Homework should not tear us apart. It should bring us together. Homework shows you what we are learning, shows you how the child is doing with this material, and gives an opportunity for the child to practice what has been taught. Again, this is the child's work. It is not your work. Homework also teaches responsibility and pride. Homework is not the evil you have made it out to be. Please do not send an email to me complaining about homework. Please do not send an email to my administrators complaining about my homework. These same administrators approved my lesson plans last week and approved the homework. Please remember I became a teacher because I believe in your child, all the children. I believe they can succeed. I want what is best for them, just like you.
Sincerely,
The Teacher