i'm against homework idea.
Kids spend 6 hours (give or take) at school already. Not to mention then extra ciricular activities.
If they WANT to do more than by all means go for it...but normal homework....no
Kids need time to unwind and be kids. Go out have fun with thier friends etc. No wonder we have so many kids who crumble under the stress because there is so much homework forced on them.
Some adults find it hard to cope with our jobs and the demands, how can we expect a child to cope with the massive demands of study when they haven't yet developed the skills to do so.
The only thing I will do with my primary school aged children is spelling words and reading to them. If they have problems with maths, I will help them at home.
I found that my dad had a way of explaining things to me so I understood them immediatley.
I don't particularly mind homework at the moment - but my eldest dd is in grade 2 - so not much to do. She has a week to complete a few sentences (using new spelling words) and a couple of maths facts. I like knowing what she is doing in class as well. They are meant to take home a reader each night and read to parents, but thankfully her teacher saw that she was doing well and allowed her to read whatever books she likes to herself.
One part of the homework that I really like - is that they have to help out in some way at home and get marked on it by us. We also have to grade them on how they have 'made Jesus real' at home.
I might come back and comment next year though when i have 2 children with homework to complete
My DD's school is anti-homework. Its a small independant school, and there is an emphasis on life skills during the primary years. If a child is worried with something (like my DD is with reading) than the teacher will discuss with that parent what they want to do. We take readers home and read 3-5 books a weekend. We play some games with words that the teacher has given me, games like matching games etc etc.... The teacher will give me the things to work on at home on Thursday and my DD goes back to school on Tuesday (she's doing part time kindy at the moment for those in NSW, or a transition year).
I think to an extent homework is good. Using lessons you have learnt to help review the knowledge can make sure a child has truly grasped the concept and helps them to remember it.
That being said I also think that it has got a bit out of hand. I was in high school 4 years ago and the amount we had to do was ridiculous. It was like each teacher didn't realise we had 5 other subjects to work on as well so we were swamped! It was between 3-4hrs every night and by the end of year 12 you could see so many people getting burnt out, there was no down time. I agree with what daniellabella has said, no wonder there is an obesity problem when children have no chance to get outside and run around for a bit.
I think more self-directed homework, like what was suggested in one of the above articles, is a great idea. Encourage children to read a book they like or find the answer to why something they use works seems a good way to instill a thirst and love for knowledge! I think we need to take the pressure off.
i find one maths sheet say 20 questions and some english literacy work is good. but the amount Ds has is crazy.
wsome fo his projects are so full on, like the one he forgot about and isnt doing now. but i think if they ahve a big project then no other homework.
he is made to spend a good hour a day after school on work, all he wants to do is play and chill out.
i can remember school was only 7 years ago and it was horrible 5 assignments all due within a week of each other plus nightly homework and work sheet for 6 subjects plus the extra work i had to put in for my dance subjects and artsubjects which couldnt be completed during class time.
i am anti- homework as it disrupts my family life, my sanity and ruins my night.
DS has an incredible amount of homework, which i used to like (for him to do) now it is a battle. We are at each other's throats. I hate homework too.
I do believe though, if a student needs extra work in an area of study, then fine give them a sheet or two per week to complete, so they can better grasp the concepts, but other than that definitely no homework.
He asks why is there homework? I tell him to ask his teacher.
I also hate homework with the exception of readers and projects here and there.
I'm of the opinion that homework is more to keep parents happy than the kids education. My mum is a teacher and doesn't send any home with the exception of unfinished work. She has so many parents come to her complaining about the lack of homework! After years of trying to explain her reason for not sending any home she now just gives out a homework book to the parents who a desperate for their kids to have some.
I am actually dreading the impact it will have on family life when the kids start school. DH is under the delusion that we will be off camping, or back with our medieval hobby, having the kids help out with the garden etc I just don't see that happening with the amount of homework that kids are getting these days.
I would love them to have to time to do things that interest them, if they take an interest in our hobby, then they will be wanting to spend a fair amount of time on research, craft, sewing etc. It is all learning, but what they want not what the school wants.
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