Too much Art homework!

Q. Presently my two grade 11 daughters are receiving more hours of homework in grade 11 Art than they are in any other scholastic subject!
They recently spent more than 24 hours on the second half of an art research assignment spending three days of a long weekend hovering over their laptop. The first half that was completed before Christmas took them even longer!!! This time I was in and out monitoring the time they interacted with others and checked their Facebook etc. to ensure they worked efficiently but it still took them easily 24 hours excluding that “me “ time! This teacher [new this fall] also gives many photography projects on weekends and has big plans for more major projects in the second half of this year! When creative classes give more homework than core subjects that already have a high homework volume, the core subject homework time is stolen!!
I want my girls to take art or music, and gym right into grade twelve to give them the habit of physical and creative outlets. Both of my daughters are very scholastic needing this balance in their university years and eventually into their adult working life. With too high a volume of homework in these subjects, it discourages the girls from continuing them into grade twelve!
The girls don’t want to complain directly about the volume in the course as they are concerned to look like they are unwilling to work. All of the class is overworked in core subjects but this Art class is just over the top!!! It seems that the sky is the limit to prove just how scholastic their students are or leadership has no idea of the homework volume being given in Art.
Who should we speak with? How should we approach the problem?

A. You are right to be concerned. It sounds as if this teacher is a little over enthusiastic and possibly not very experienced. It is important that you alert the senior staff to this problem as it will affect all the students who are currently studying art. I would suggest that you speak to Director of Studies (or Director of Teaching and Learning or Curriculum) and explain these issues clearly. It may also be helpful to talk to the Head of Year for Grade 11. If you do not get any satisfaction, talk to the Principal or Vice Principal to make them aware.

It would be helpful if you could notes down the exact number of hours that your daughters have spent on art. They need to be taught by the school to give equal priority to all their subjects and this is not happening at the moment. Good luck!