What is the average amount of homework for a Kindergarten student?

Question

My son started Kindergarten this year and I'm stunned at the amount of homework he gets. I'm 39, and when I was in that grade, it was all about learning the structure of being in school, starting on the alphabet, maybe some numbers, and lots of coloring and playing. For the first quarter, the goals for my son were knowing all 52 upper and lower case letters, 60 or more "sight words" to memorize, counting forward from 1 to 20, backwards from 10 to 1, and recognizing all numbers up to 10. Also know the sounds of most of the letters of the alphabet, plus shapes, colors, writing his name, and on and on and on. On a regular basis, after 6 hours in school, I am expected to work with him on his "homework" for 2 hours. On top of that, I'm to read to him. He is the first of 3 children entering school, and I can't imagine what it's going to be like a few years from now. He comes home from school with pictures that he's colored and little things he pasted. What are they doing during class? Help!

Answer 1

My daughter (now in gr. 1) went 2/3 days per week. There was always 3or 4 pages of homework given. It was rediculous. She learned tonnes, but it was rediculous. You should talk to the teacher.

My son's kindergarden teacher did lots of art and music, and crafty stuff. She was awesome. Rarely was there any homework. She sent stuff ocassionally so parents would interact with their kids (like we don't do that already. My son was reading at a grade 2 level as well. Homework did not make any difference. He was far more advanced than my daughter.

Answer 2

My daughter went through kindergarten not too long ago, and what you mentioned does not seem at all unusual. The sight words, the numbers, counting, and the reading are all right on target. However, why does it take your child 2 hours to complete homework assignments? Are the assignments really that lengthy or are there other things going on that distracts your child? Also, have you spoken with the teacher? I remember when my child started kindergarten it seemed to be a lot, however after having curriculum night & parent/teacher conferences, the goal was to have the child exposed to homework. The policy in her class was that if assignments take longer than 20 minutes we could leave them incomplete as long as an honest effort was put into it. Maybe you should speak with the teacher & find out what is expected of these assignments, is your child having trouble grasping concepts?

Answer 3

Well get ready is all I can say. It was this way with our son and he's now 9. The TWO hour homework concerns me though. He never had TWO hours of work. Maybe to write the letter A in upper and lower case one night and then the B the next and so on. Yes he had to write his first name (not last), he also had to know the alphabet, also the sounds. Numbers yes he did to 20, and backwards from 10. Sight words are a biggie...we made them on index cards and kept them in a baggie to go over and over. Reading to him? yes..it was for 20 min. each night. We live in Florida and they have the FCAT on these kids, it's horrible. However more states are looking at Florida and doing the "same" thing because it actually PAYS the school money.

Final note: My son is now in 4th grade and is doing great. He has homework every single night, but it isn't really alot. You can help your son by getting him JUMPSTART phonics. We did this just for the purpose of the sound / sight of words. (if he needs the help)

G'luck
I wish I could say it got better. But I can't.

Answer 4

Kindergarten is the new first grade. Most kids learn the structure of school in preschool, as well as their letters, numbers, shapes, colors, name writing etc. In kindergarten they are learning the skills they need to become emergent readers - sounds of letters, beginning printing, basic arithmetic.

In first grade, he'll need to know 100+ sight words - so it's best to get the first 60 out of the way in kindergarten.

In class, they are probably meeting in small groups w/ the teacher or aid to work on letter sounds and numbers - so the rest of the class does coloring and pasting. All the kids get attention, but the ones waiting for their turn have to do something.

Two hours is too long - are you sure that's what's expected? We were told 20 minutes, + 20 minutes of reading (you're reading to your other 2 anyway right? The best readers are read to for 20 minutes a day, for 3 years before starting kindergarten). Of course, you might need extra time right now while you help him catch up.

I know it's a shock - it was to me too. But my oldest ended up in a remedial reading program in first grade and I realized that I had to step up. (I also blame the teacher - she left kindergarten with a shattered self esteem and fewer sight words than when she started). She now reads 3 grades ahead of her age.

Keep this in mind - for the early grades they learn to read, but by 3rd grade they're reading to learn. All of school will be much easier if he gets a good reading foundation. You are fortunate to have a school that pushes the basics and expects the kids to excell - I've heard stories of schools that are no more than glorified babysitters.

My advice: schedule a discussion w/ the teacher, make sure you fully understand what the homework expectations are. Start reading to ALL your children, every night. Get your younger ones into preschool that will teach them the "hows" of school (lining up, sharing, listening), as well as introduce the letters and numbers in a fun way. They'll be much better prepared.

Answer 5

Did the teacher inform you that you needed to work with him at home for 2 hours? My daughter is in kindergarten and her hw takes 5-10-15 min a day depending and that's only Mon-Thurs. She already knows her upper and lower letters, is working on sight words (6 weeks into it she knows about 20) can count to 100, can count backwards 10-0, and can recognize most numbers up to 100. She knows all the sounds (that took one week with a rhyme they do...it's amazing) she knows her shapes, colors, she can write her name.....she's also doing simple math. Honestly, most of these skills she had going into kindergarten. She's learning the new things rapidly. Kindergarten isn't what it used to be....at all. Talk to the teacher about the time involved. Of course much of this is to be taught at school. Expecting a kindergartner to do 2 hours of hw is just silly. Make learning fun at home too and he'll pick up on the skills in no time. The teacher here sends home little flash cards, papers to practice writing letters, a weekly poem with sight words for them to read, a book of letters with words starting with the letter they're learning. They work on each a little at a time. Good luck :)

Answer 6

The only homework a kindergartener should have is the fun kind. You know the arts and crafts, reading, etc. And even then in should be limited to at most 3 hours a week.

I'm trying to think of what the kindergarten equivilent of building a volcano would be *lol*. But I mean activities like that that are fun for parents to share with their kids but they may not think of on their own (Helping to bake maybe as part of counting?)

There are a lot of great studies on the fact that homework before highschool does not improve any measurable outcome of education.

http://www.alfiekohn.org/books/hm.htm
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1376208,00.html

There are tonnes more, I'll dig some up if you want -drop me an e-mail

Answer 7

My 2 boys went to catholic school - They did exactly what your kid is doing, and more. With this plan though, they will be ready to start to read by the middle of the school year to the end of the year - you have to get kids excited early on while they are surpised at learning - at this age they are little sponges and will soak up things real easy - also by putting you in a spot where you become not only a parent but a mentor to the child they have a stronger family backbone when they do have trouble in school. They each had 1-2 hrs of homework in Kindergarden and it has increased by 30 minutes each school year.
My Daughter is 4 and in Monessori - last year she started writing her name (and good! at 3!) and knew her bones (by the correct anatomical names like femur, humerous, patella, etc.) and is starting to identify words and will be reading by the end of this school year - she has 2 years before she can start kindergarden because she has an early September b-day.
If your kiddo seems burnt out, speak to the teacher. But it goes along with a good educational process - if your kid is in public school, consider yourself lucky because most of the public school kids around here don't do the things my kids are doing - and they are in 6th grade! HOWEVER - your kid is the best indicator of too much homework. Split it into 2-3 sessions if ti's too much and see if that helps. GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 8

Wow, where does you child go to school at, those things were the goal for the whole year for my son. He is seven and in the secound grade. Site words started in the first grade. That is a lot, unfortunately, there may not be much you can do about it. I am sure he is getting all this at school, but I am amazed that he has two hours worth of homework, my son doesn't even have that.

Answer 9

My daughter also just started and she has a packet she brings home on Mon.. and has until Thur nite to complete it.. Most of the time it is about 3- 4 pages. Then she has a book she must read every nite. I feel that the schools are starting them to young they put to much on them and by the time they reach high school there burnt out! My 3rd grader is already feeling the stress of 3-4 homework assignments a nite. You should talk to the teacher to find out what they do in class. You have to be involved just as well and if you want to know what is going why this is happening find out that is your right as a parent...

Answer 10

I would talk to the teacher about why there is so much homework. That is ridiculous for a child in Kindergarten-2nd grade to have that much homework. Most of the things you listed, however are things that are usually taught in pre-school, or at home. My son is 3 and already can read his own name, knows his shapes, colors and can count to 20, knows his ABC's, etc, and that is without pre-school.