Wednesday, 10 June 2009
-
Congratulations; it's an egg
Monday began the most exciting time of eighth grade; the kids became parents to their very own egg babies. For the entire week they must carry around their babies and follow a feeding schedule as well as keep a log of when the "babies" are left in the care of another.
Somehow we lucked out and both Jake and Whitney were given twins. Add Travis (Whitney's boyfriend) into the mix with his twins and I am the grandmother of six egg babies. I am having a blast watching them all care for the babies. I can say without a doubt that Whitney has taken the most interests in the little details. She is diligently working on her baby book and had me go purchase some different things to decorate it with. There are plans in the work to take the "babies" to the park for some pictures of them on the swings.
Jake and Travis; not so much. As a matter of fact; Travis forgot his babies over here last night and poor Whitney had to take both sets to school with her this morning. This was no easy task. The "babies" are required to be placed in a basket and carried that way. She had to run Travis' twins to him and then come back up for her. As the mother of a two teens; I was cracking up.
I personally find this to be a great experiment. The eggs must be attached to a five pound bag of sugar or flour. They must have toys with them and appropriate clothing. While I know that this will not end premarital sex or teen pregnancy; I think it is definitely a lesson worth undertaking.
All of the kids are required to make a baby book, maintain the daily log, keep the feeding schedule, and write a story in the event one of the "babies" suffers an injury during the week. If the "babies" are left unattended they run the risk of being eggnapped. If your child happens to get taken; your grade suffers significantly.
It is so funny watching how the different kids are reacting to having the babies. Some have really gotten into it and made elaborate baskets for the eggs while some have done the bare minimum and placed them a grocery basket. I for one am enjoying watching the process and hope that they all come away with a new understanding of the responsibilities involved.
What do you guys think; great idea or a waste of time? Did you have to do something similar in school?
-
recommend
- recs 0
-
share
-
email
- sent 0
Post a Comment
- Back to gwacemom's Momaroo Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in gwacemom's local time zone: GMT -08:00 (Pacific Standard - US, Canada)
Comments (11)
We did that in 7th grade but we didn't have eggs... we had computerized dolls! They would cry and we had to stick a key in it's back and hold it until it cooed. 2 minutes of a diaper change, 25 for feeding. It was a PITA if it happened in class but it did get me out of PE.
The key was attached to our wrist, we couldn't take it off so the baby could be left with anyone.
It also recorded how long it cried, if it's head was held properly, etc. It's called "Baby Think It Over". We had the babies for 3 days. I think it is an a great program... but obviously didn't get me to think it over. Maybe if there was a repeat in a later grade. I know there was a family elective class that had something similar but it was obviously an elective so not everyone had it.
@TornadoChaser - I just read a story about those dolls. A girl in Britain died the day after having one. Her father says the baby was to blame.
Here is the link to the story. I would have loved to have the real baby, but they are making do with eggs.
That is really strange but you have to think that if 12 hours of taking care of a fake baby was that awful for her with her condition, do you think she would survive the stress of being an "early childhood caregiver" which is why she was taking that course? I'm sorry that she died but it makes me angry that the father is solely blaming the doll.
@TornadoChaser - That was how I felt about the whole situation. I understand they are in pain and my heart goes out to them, but I find it very difficult to believe that this baby was the cause of her death. As you know, Emily has a heart defect and I know that things can change over time, often without realizing the subtle changes; and I sense that this was what was occuring. I just hope the whole program doesn't come under fire as a result.
I had an egg baby in 8th grade. Mine was murdered during chorus class. It was only the gifted class that had the egg babies. Following the responsibility unit was a unit about how the law system worked. So there were trials for all kinds of things - neglect, murder, whatever. So lots of people tried to murder the eggs so they could get out of a later class for the trial.
I cried when my egg was murdered.
@der_lila_Stern@xanga - While I hate that your egg was murdered; I would have LOVED the trial portion. Even then I loved the law. LOL
Haha, egg babies! That's pretty funny. When I was in high school, some of my friends were in the child development class and had the "think it over babies". I wanted to take that class so badly, but couln't get in. I was always a baby nut, and would hold my friends' "babies". But I've never head of a class really having the egg babies, except on TV. I think that's a really cool idea.
@gwacemom - yeah it was definitely tons of fun. In 6th and 7th grade, the gifted students were the juries. I learned that I never want to be part of a real jury! lol It was probably one of the best activities that we did. I learned more about the legal system that year than in the rest of my schooling.
We also had Baby Think It Over Dolls. My teacher was not nice and she always put the baby on crancky so it cried ALL the time! If she thought you were "at risk" she gave you twins. It was neat! They should offer them in high school as well though.
Lol thats cute. I never did that in school, but I think its a neat idea. I've come across a few young girls who think motherhood is a walk in the park... all frilly dresses and giggly, happy babies. I make sure to offer them the chance to spend the day at my house and help me out while I get things done
Kids really do need to understand. How are they doing with their eggs?
Great idea. I don't think this project alone will solve the teenage pregnancy issue, but if it makes just a handful of kids think twice about the idea? Totally worth it. I never had the chance to do that in school...I don't know how I would have faired...LOL...