Ok, my child's coming home with nothing. What can I study?

The school policy is really "read/study" with an allowance for 5th grade projects.  This way, families can enjoy free time and after school activities unencumbered and unstressed.  From my own personal experience, I'd have to say I agree with the policy.  I normally see high achieving students frustrated that they have to repeat what they already learned, becoming exasperated with the school experience and quite often beginning to enjoy school less.  The lower achievers tend to be unable to have time or assistance with homework, often receiving low grades for low quality work or suffering consequences the next day for not turning it in at all.  They also enjoy learning less due to the stress incurred.

That said, I can also understand people who want their children occupied in the late afternoon.  Perhaps there are no after school activities on a certain day, and I want my child learning instead of playing "Minecraft".  I get it, as I like to keep my own daughter intellectually occupied on the days where not much is going on.

I intend to use my blog to communicate what we are currently learning.  This way, you can make informed decisions on planning your children's spare time if you are so inclined.