My son is in 3rd grade this year. He hardly gets any homework - usually only 1 math worksheet and is supposed to read a book (his choice) for 15 minutes. I am tearing my hair out trying to get him to do his work. Ideally, he would do it as soon as he gets home from school and just get it over with, but it's not happening. I've tried giving him about 1/2 hour to have a snack & relax a little, but then I can't get him out of relaxation mode.
I'm tempted to stay out of it altogether & just let him face the consequences at school. Unfortunately, his teacher is "nice" and I don't think he really penalizes the kids. I'd like my son to develop good study habits now, so he isn't overwhelmed when he's bringing home hours of work in the upper grades - but at the same time I'm tired of being the only one who cares about it!!
2006-10-11 07:06:10 · 12 answers · asked by Quarter Midget Mom 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
Best bet would be to do the homework right away. That way he hasn't started the "relax mode". I would take away one of his favourite things... an item, activity, something. Be consistent with it and don't give it back until the work is done. Sooner or later he'll catch on that you're serious and will realize that there are consequences to pay. He'll do his work. This will also help him in the future, not only with school, but work and life in general. You have to work for what you want...
2006-10-11 07:12:06 · answer #1 · answered by KMAB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, talk to the teacher and find out how long he expects the homework to take for the kids. Then also ask him what the consequences of not completing the work would be. (Usually loss of recess around here.....they stay inside and do their homework instead.)
Get a timer for him. When he comes home, give him maybe 30 mins for a snack and to unwind. My son usually watches a show on PBS while he has his snack. Then sit him down somewhere with all the materials he will need (kitchen table, desk, etc.) and set the timer for however long the teacher says it should take. (I add about 10 minutes.) You can make the rule that if it isn't done by the time the timer goes off, then it's packed away for the night. If he wants, he can get up early to work on it in the morning after he is dressed. Otherwise, he faces the consequences at school the next day.
You could also have him do it at the kitchen table while you are cooking. We often do this so I can quiz him on spelling words.
2006-10-11 07:12:01 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are some very good answers given here. A little down time is good after being in school. However, if he does not get into the homework mode afterward, you have a problem.
Sometimes, and you seem to fit here, punishment is needed to enforce the rules. When he gets home, give him a little snack and a little relax time. Put his homework on the table for him - and put a paddle (like a ping-pong paddle) on the table, too. Tell him it is now time to do the homework with no arguement OR it is time for a hard spanking. If the homework is done with no arguement, tell him he did good. If he whines about the homework, you give him the hard spanking. If you give him the choice each afternoon of homework or the spanking, chances are that he will do the homework.
2006-10-12 07:36:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When he gets home from school, have a good snack ready. Something with a little protein and a whole grain carbs. After he eats the snack, he should do some kind of activity, like go for a walk with you, or if you have a dog have him take the dog for a walk, or even play with the dog in the yard for about 30 minutes. After that he should sit down in a quiet area and do his homework, let him know that there will be no tv, games, music, etc. unless he completes his homework. You will have given him a snack and some activity to get his blood pumping, as long as he has a good place to sit and do the homework, he shouldn't have any excuses at this point. Tell him the relaxation time can come between the time where he finishes his homework and Dinner time. Be firm on this, you want him to start automatically doing it without being told. If he does do it on his own, "catch" him in the act and praise him for it. Think of putting him an activity that happens once or twice a week. I have my daughter in dance and karate and she's energized after those classes and ready to do her homework. We save tv time for the weekend, unless it's sunny, then we try to get out.
2006-10-11 11:23:00 · answer #4 · answered by nimo22 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems to me that the problem begins not with your son, but with the teacher. Because there are no consequences for not turning in homework, your son probably feels that he doesn't really "need" to do it.
I agree with you on the workload that he's receiving right now- when I was in 3rd grade, I got way more homework than that.
I would suggest talking with the teacher and changing his homework rules. If he doesn't believe in penalizing kids for not doing homework, how about if he rewards those who do homework? It doesn't have to be big- a sticker or a cute stamp on their homework paper will suffice. Once in a while, maybe he can use a bit of candy as a "Top Prize". The other children ( hopefully including your son) will then want a sticker too and start doing their homework.
Good luck!
2006-10-11 07:24:33 · answer #5 · answered by Kaonashi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your homework sessions are turning into power struggles. You need help. First talk to the teachers and make sure the work is at his level. Next, listen to yourself as you work with your child. Do you hear kindness, encouragement, patience, and love? Do not let your frustration do the talking. You can let your child go into school without having the homework done, once, and let him take the consequences. Work this out with the teacher so he is sure to have a consequence. Just don't make this a habit. Hug him a lot. Encourage him a lot. Don't seek perfection, just improvement. Good luck to you. This is a common struggle. Kids work hard all day and it is dificult to then spend 3 more hours at it at home. You need your sanity, too. Let the teacher be your partner in this. I forgot to mention. Have a discussion with your child when you both are calm. Explain that homework no longer needs to be a battle and that you will work together lovingly and happily. He must do his part to make this work and tell him you will do your part.Make it fun and a wonderful time to be together.
2016-03-28 05:08:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't do the relax thing for the half hour. He will get out of the work mode like you said. You are the parent, demand it be done even if you have to sit there and watch. My daughter is the same way with the reading and it's a struggle everyday. If she does not do it, she loses privileges like she cant go out and play.
The homework will get to be more over the course of the year. My daughter has to do 2 math sheets, spelling and grammar and 20 mins of reading every day. She is in 3rd grade too.
2006-10-11 07:15:37 · answer #7 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is your job to make sure he does his homework. Give him a break after school, he just spent all day doing this. I think the best time is right after dinner. If he can not do this at time talk to him and ask him when he thinks would be the best time. If it sound reasonable agree to it. If he can not do it at the agreed time start by taking away something that means a lot to him. (it can be anything as long as it it something he loves) Give the privilege back on the days he does his work.
2006-10-11 07:22:14 · answer #8 · answered by Nani 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't make him do it as soon as he gets home. He just got home from school and wants a break--not more work. Have him do it when there's something to look forward too. Say to him "Why don't you start your math now and when you're done dinner will be ready". That usually helps kids because they have something to look forward to when they're done.
Another thing you could do is to have a reward system. Tell him he needs to have his homework done by a certain time. If he gets his work done, have him keep a sticker chart and give him a sticker for each night he gets his work done. If he gets 10 stickers then he gets to go out for lunch one weekend. Just something simple like that will get him excited.
2006-10-11 07:09:49 · answer #9 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's all my daughter gets for Homework in 3rd grade as well. One math sheet and do an HSG(Home Study Guide) is all she gets each night. As soon as she gets home at 2:40 she is to sit down and do her homework before she can do anything else. That includes her Jr. Cheer-leading. If she fights me then she loses her cheer-leading. If there is something she wants she has to do her homework first then she is free to do what she wants! Try getting him involved Jr Football. Something to make he do his homework or he will lose what he likes! Good Luck!
2006-10-11 10:45:46 · answer #10 · answered by kolowski4 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋