Homework question for any elementary teachers out there (or parents of elementary aged kids)?

Question

Hi! I have a question regarding the homework (or lack thereof) for my two girls in 1st and 4th grade. And so you know my background, I teach high school math...so this isn't any type of slam against teachers at all.

Last year, my kids were in a different school, and they had weekly assignments, even Kindergarden.

Now that we moved, and are in a different district and school, they rarely get homework, or it is sporadic. As a teacher, I would think that even in the younger grades that it is a good idea to assign regular homework, of course, small amounts for the young uns, but at least on a regular basis so the kids can develop those habits that are lacking in my high school aged kids.

I mean my wife and I work with our kids at home with extra things to keep their skills up, but I'm worried about the kids that don't do ANY schoolwork outside of school!

Thoughts? Should I just let it be? Talk to somebody? What are your opinions?

Answer 1

Reading a spelling and basic math should really be assigned regularly. Students need to be practicing and it is a good way for them to stay busy. However, I work with first graders and it is unbelieveable how many students and their parents don't even do the reading piece, reading for 15 minutes let alone spelling and phonics. It depends on the parents if they will take the time to help with homework. The teacher should be giving homework but it doesn't mean that it will get done.

Answer 2

I am currently student teaching in a second grade classroom and I have brought up the issue of homework with my mentor teacher before. I know that some teachers do not feel comfortable sending homework home, because in some cases the parents end up doing it for the students, or they just give them the answers rather than explaining it to them.

When I was in Elementary School I was given homework every day even on the weekends. However, at the school I am at we do not give the children homework on the weekend. I dont understand why.

From my personal experience in the classroom the last two years, I have notice that parents tend to get upset if their child is given too much homework each night, and by too much homework I mean 3 or more worksheets. I do the homework check each morning, and I receive the majority of the homework that was assigned. However, I do have parents who make excuses for the children on why the homework was not completed.

I would talk to the teacher to see why the child is not receiving homework. I would think that if you would like to homework to be sent home, that your child's teacher would be more than happy too.

Answer 3

I am not an elem. teacher but a middle school one. I have taught first grade in the past however. I am also the parent of two middle school children.

I teach at an inner city school and live on the other side of town so my children go to a school that is rather....how should I say it...full of upper-middle, wealthy children...except for mine :)
My children have homework every night. I assume most students in their school can receive help from parents if needed.

I assign homework about 2-3 times a week. I usually am lucky to get 25% of my students to turn it in to me. Why? The group pf students I teach have very little if any parental support, spend their time after school trying to get in with a gang or as a babysitter for siblings, or have no room at home to sit and work. While I wish that I could assign homework and get it back the next day, I basically am tired of fighting the system after 6 years.

Some things you might could ask..
1. Is there a district or school policy? I have had principals that require homework every night in every subject and some that limit it to X number of days per week.
2. The teachers would probably be willing to send home asisgnments that you can do with your children if you asked.

Answer 4

I have a 13 yr old 8th grade daughter who never has homework, she tells me she always finishes it in school, and since she is an honor student (3.87 GPA) I have no reason to doubt her as she has also recieved special awards and honors that other kids dont get. i.e. yearbook honors, taken out to dinner by teachers and so on.

Now on to the problem I have a 9 yr old 3rd grade son who is swamped with homework everyday except wednesday he even attends tutoring 2 days a week as his grades are not where they should be and i'm all for that. My boggle is all these class projects that keep getting pawned off on them as it is the parents who usually wind up having to do most of the work and spend their hard earned money to purchase items for these projects, now not everyone can afford to do this and it becomes a burden on the students when they are graded or judged by how much money went into a class project. I think our whole education system is due a much needed overhaul. Hence no child left behind....

Answer 5

We moved from one state to another. In both schools, teachers rarely gave homework, as time was given during class for assignments to be completeed. In the current school, it is homework if it is not done before class is over. I think many schools/teachers are doing this because many students never do the work or turn it in if it goes home. It gets lost or simply ignored.

Answer 6

I would call the school and voice your concerns. Maybe their not aware of the kids not getting homework. Most kids like to get homework. When my daughter was in kindergarten, she rarely had any, and now that she's in 2nd.grade, she gets alittle more. She loves it when she can do book reports. I would even have a conference with the teacher. Maybe it'll help and maybe not, but its worth a try.

Answer 7

Talk to your children's teachers and express your concerns. You are certainly qualified to have an educated opinion on the subject, and as a parent, a right to express your point of view for the good of your children and the other children in that school.

Answer 8

I definitely think you might first want to ask the teacher and then, the principal. I think small amounts of reinforcement is always necessary.