primary school homework

[alecstilleyedye]

our two youngest kids (years 1 and 4) seem to be getting a lot of homework with, i have to say, things which end up requiring a lot of parental intervention.

the older two of course had reading books, spellings and the odd bit of something or other in the main holidays, and lack of current levels of primary school homework seems not to have affected them adversely, certainly not the eldest who's off to a top uni next year (a level grades permitting).

i can't help thinking that this is counter-productive; far too often it ends up with my wife (in the main) having to come up with ideas, make things etc. we would just leave the projects where the school clearly believe that each child is an only child with a mother that is at home all day, but the school (an academy, by the way) forces our hand by turning show-and-tell into present-your-homework once a term.

surely primary school is there for the children to learn to read and write and attain basic numeracy, whist fostering a zest for learning that will prepare them for high school.

i know teachers do a great job, under at times very difficult conditions, but i can't help feeling that this 'homework max' policy is achieving nothing but making work for us, and keeping the kids from good old fashioned learning through play…

 

[Profpointy]

our two youngest kids (years 1 and 4) seem to be getting a lot of homework with, i have to say, things which end up requiring a lot of parental intervention.

the older two of course had reading books, spellings and the odd bit of something or other in the main holidays, and lack of current levels of primary school homework seems not to have affected them adversely, certainly not the eldest who's off to a top uni next year (a level grades permitting).

i can't help thinking that this is counter-productive; far too often it ends up with my wife (in the main) having to come up with ideas, make things etc. we would just leave the projects where the school clearly believe that each child is an only child with a mother that is at home all day, but the school (an academy, by the way) forces our hand by turning show-and-tell into present-your-homework once a term.

surely primary school is there for the children to learn to read and write and attain basic numeracy, whist fostering a zest for learning that will prepare them for high school.

i know teachers do a great job, under at times very difficult conditions, but i can't help feeling that this 'homework max' policy is achieving nothing but making work for us, and keeping the kids from good old fashioned learning through play…

we never had any homework in primary school in my day. Borrowed books to read, but not set work

 

[Fnaar]

the school clearly believe that each child is an only child with a mother that is at home all day

My kids are all grown up now (just one of three still at school) but I found this to be very true indeed... still clinging to a model that is decades old (and was never true for me, anyway... both my parents worked full time).
Most of the 'homework' they set is rather redundant, and kids would be far better off learning in a way that doesn't have to be demonstrated quite so obviously.

 

[RedRider]

Definitely too much homework and at junior school too. Was talking to a junior school teacher friend and she said with her own kids if she doesn't think the homework useful she'll tell them not to do it.

 

[Markymark]

I got As in both maths and further maths A levels back when that meant something. I'm having to learn all over again how they do it now for my eldest in yr 2. 2 hours homework each weekend. She's just 7. I never had that much in my day. I feel the school are dumping part of the learning on the parents. My maths and science is excellent. Other parents I would imagine less so.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

I got As in both maths and further maths A levels back when that meant something. I'm having to learn all over again how they do it now for my eldest in yr 2. 2 hours homework each weekend. She's just 7. I never had that much in my day. I feel the school are dumping part of the learning on the parents. My maths and science is excellent. Other parents I would imagine less so.

indeed. the youngest is using grammatical terms that i never heard of until a level english language. i'm all for grammar being taught, but in the classroom formally and, informally, by example at home; and not the other way around…

 

[Sara_H]

I got As in both maths and further maths A levels back when that meant something. I'm having to learn all over again how they do it now for my eldest in yr 2. 2 hours homework each weekend. She's just 7. I never had that much in my day. I feel the school are dumping part of the learning on the parents. My maths and science is excellent. Other parents I would imagine less so.

I really struggled with the maths homework when son was at primary school and in Y7.
He doesn't ask me for help anymore! He does seem to be doing well alone though, thank goodness.

 

[screenman]

I think it important that parents help educate kids, so many do not. As for 2 hours homework, not a lot really, maybe it is designed to get kids and parents working together.

No qualifications, no parental support and expelled at 15 despite staying on for o levels. My kids on the other hand have faired somewhat better, they did have support and did plenty of homework and extra curricular.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

I really struggled with the maths homework when son was at primary school and in Y7.
He doesn't ask me for help anymore! He does seem to be doing well alone though, thank goodness.

our policy of parental involvement with high school homework is to limit it to asking them if they've got homework, reminding them they need to do it, and bollocking them when we get a text to say they've not done it…

 

[RedRider]

I'll double check with Danish housemate but I think in their system the kids don't even start school until 7.

 

[screenman]

I'll double check with Danish housemate but I think in their system the kids don't even start school until 7.

I think you may find that the parents have more involvement though.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

our policy of parental involvement with high school homework is to limit it to asking them if they've got homework, reminding them they need to do it, and bollocking them when we get a text to say they've not done it…

Schools text message parents?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

this came home in the youngest (5) one's bag. if this was couched as fun things to do, with no expectations, i'd have no problem. making the children present what they've done just blackmails parents into 'helping', which really should not be the point of the exercise...

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Schools text message parents?

yep. one of my other educational bugbears. poor lad can't fart in the playground without us getting a text. in fairness, they do send texts about good work too...

 

[screenman]

Is it helping as you say or wanting parents involved? I see it has to be in by June 21st.