Mideval Project

Worse than a child running for office in student government, more onerous than a last-minute science fair project, even more abjectly disheartening than the dreaded PINEWOOD DERBY, the so-called "Mideval Project" strikes fear into the heart of 6th grade parents at our local elementary school. And don't think to avoid it by strategically requesting the one teacher who doesn't require it--they have banded together (fine for them, they can reuse their costumes) and ALL 6th-graders are required to prepare a long string of labor-intensive projects which the kids, themselves, have ABSOLUTELY no hope of completing without the resources and time of the parents. Maddy's selection (the bare minimum to meet the "Nobility" requirement) included a handsewn costume (THANKS, Aunt Ellen),

A hennin (weird pointy hat constructed of a piece of poster board, various cloth and ribbon remnants, and a variety of glue, staples, tape, needle, and thread),

A wooden catapult for the contest, engineered by the "student" (dad) and built by the "student" (dad) and his power tools, which even the cub scout handbook prohibits for children.

A labeled castle, with all the parts (last project the night before until 10 o'clock)

As well as additional book reports, powerpoints, and posters. THANK HEAVENS its over for 2 more years!! Oh, and I did a little benchmarking for Nicholas, took pictures of every kid's submissions so we don't have to spend so much time in the brainstorming phase.