Comments on: Grade Two Homework

By: Cat

Cat — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 09:26:41 +0000

Once again, it’s always interesting hearing about homework from the parent/family perspective - I tuck all these little tidbits away and hopefully I will remember them when I (hopefully) get a job as a teacher next year.

By: Gemisht

Gemisht — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:13:35 +0000

Homework is an absolute nightmare in this house. It is the cause of much stress, both for the kids and me. BUT I do agree with River, I think that the habit of doing homework is more important than the actual work that they do. There is no way that any kid can survive high school and get through the work without doing homework. Its much easier to start the habit early so that it is a habit when they are older.

As for the words, I think that you should all get an A for effort on that one.

By: Kelli

Kelli — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:15:22 +0000

I have spoken to the teachers at my boys school about homework. Most of them would just like you to read with your child. But there is an expectation from parents that their children should have homework, and they are asking for it. For example, my son in kindy is now bringing home maths homework because a lot of parents asked for it - for me, a kindy child should just be reading and reading at home, not continuing on with what they are doing at school. He is happy to do maths because it is all counting & he is an expert counter.

My son in year 3, well I have just asked his teacher for extra homework for his handwriting - it is terrible & becoming a concern for me. She agrees and has been trying to work on it in class, but it is very difficult given that at year 3 their writing should be OK. We have chosen to go this way as there as only so many hours in the day for the teacher to teach her 20 kids. She is really happy that I am trying to take this problem off her hands. She has also told me that she doesn’t care if he doesn’t do any other homework if he is working on his handwriting. He also has an assignment for the term on the olympiucs, which he & I will do together & I think it will be fun.

But, if you have issues with the amount of homework talk to the teacher because you may find that it is being driven by demands & expectations from parents rather than the school, apart from reading.

By: Marita

Marita — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:09:34 +0000

I would have no idea. Looks like when Annie starts Prep next year I will need to ask to have a cheat sheet included to help me.

By: lightening

lightening — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 10:06:28 +0000

Stuffy - yes, he did have the same teacher.

By: river

river — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:12:32 +0000

Dina–my dad was of the same opinion, so all through primary school i didn’t bother too much with homework, barely finishing a few scribbled bits before class started the next day. When I got to high school and hadn’t developed a study habit I was in real trouble. Suddenly I had to work much harder to keep up and actually failed! Had to repeat the first year. Looking back now I wish I’d grown up living with mum, who always had the kitchen table cleared after tea and homework was brought out and finished, even inspected before bed. I may have had an entirely different adulthood.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:00:09 +0000

I’ve spoken to the deputy principal and principal of a top rate govt primary school recently who both disagreed with homework being sent home as they felt the kids completed enough work during the school hours. Unfortunately some of the teachers under them continue to hand out homework, one with very misleading instructions like Singstar Princess’ teacher!
For people who’s main role is communication, some of them lack the basics of it at times

By: Sharon

Sharon — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:05:20 +0000

Like I said to you today, homework is over rated. Especially in someone so young. Scott (in year 7) is doing three times more homework than Steph (in year 10). He has noticed this of course, and we hear every day about how unfair it is!

By: Bettina

Bettina — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:03:36 +0000

Some weeks we are on top of it and other weeks it’s a real struggle to get it all done. it all depends on how busy we are, but a quick note on the bottom of the homework sheet always takes care of it if things are hectic.

The thing I do though, is I often write a note saying that they found this bit really hard, or could they explain this bit better cos we weren’t sure what to do or that this bit was too easy or whatnot. I’ve written notes to ask teachers to explain to TJ that he can’t use a calculator for his maths homework or to ask them to explain what they want for certain questions.

Feedback certainly helps both parties to be on the same page.

By: Horse

Horse — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:04:21 +0000

Dina I’m going to have to with you on this one… Homework for kids is about rushing to get it done, so that they can go outside and play. The real value is at school imo