Too Much Homework

[MiniGirl]

My youngest just started Kindergarten this fall, and she is really enjoying school. We also both really like her teacher. However, I'm just tired of all the homework she has. She brings home a couple of worksheets to do every night. This is not work that she didn't finish in class nor is it practice work. It is homework -- expected to be done and returned the following day. Then today, the teacher sends home a weekly homework assignment sheet:

Monday: Write new hi-frequency words 3Xs each in D'Nealian.
Tuesday: Write a sentence with each new word. Circle the word in the sentence.
Wednesday: Spelling test on each word.
Thursday: Write whole name 3Xs in D'Nealian
Friday-sunday: Review skills
Nighty: Read small reader sent home.

Now, today she did not bring home any worksheets to do, so I don't know if this new homework schedule will replace those or not.

My 2nd grader has the following homework weekly schedule:

Monday: Write spelling words 2 times each.
Tuesday: Read this weeks reader to a parent and have it signed. Gather books to be returned to the media center.
Wednesday: Math worksheet
Thursday: Study spelling words for spelling test on Friday.
Nightly: Read 15 minutes each night. This is a book of their choosing.

Occassionally there will be additional things sent home to study for science tests or additional things sent home for them to read, but this is pretty much it from week to week.

Am I being unrealistic thinking that my K'er has too much homework? She has more than my 2nd grader. Also, I think expecting them to write sentences is too much at that age. Fortunately, my dd has enjoyed her homework up to this point, but it was all worksheet. We had a special box of crayons that were reserved for homework only and she liked that. I think she will be fighting me a lot with this new homework schedule because she really does not like to write using upper and lower case letters. I know she will benefit from it. It just seems like so much.

Anyway, sorry I rambled. What do you think?

 

[meandtheguys2]

Get "The Case Against Homework" from your library re. the lack of evidence that homework is appropriate for young kids. Then talk with the teacher, if you feel it is relevant.

 

[ljhmom]

Wow!! That is alot of homework when my boys were in kindergarten we got a worksheet home on Monday with three different things listed as homework the kids could pick one or do all three if they wanted, they also had to read their readers at least three times each week. I'm glad we are in a school that really doesn't give much homework.

 

[Mickey'sfriend]

How long is it taking for your kids to complete their homework? Is this a public school? Our school district has a homework policy: (elementary K-2: homework should take no more than 30 min. Grades 3-5: 1 hour and Grades 6-12: 2 hours) Kids are allowed to stop after that time frame and parents can write a note stating they worked for the entire time allotted and no penalities can be instilled on the kid. It's a compromise between the research that states homework does not improve a kid's abilities and the tradition of reinforcement at home. I do believe the nightly reading is helpful at all elementary levels. Reading comprehension is so important for later in school and life.

 

[todd222222]

Wow that is a lot.

My kindergartener gets a monthly calendar each month. Each week has 5 items to do and she only has to do 3 of them each week. At the end of the month we turn in the calendar (no work) with which ones we did.

Some of the items are very simple while others are more difficult, let's us base the amount of home work done each night on our current situation.

We do read her guided reading book each night as well but never makes more then 15 minutes. We often read other books as well.

 

[Merriwind]

That is a lot of HW. I wouldn't get into a research debate on it though. For every piece of research you unearth showing HW isn't beneficial, she could counter with research that shows it is. Not a winning battle for anyone, imho.

What I would do is track how long this HW takes your DD each night for a few days. If she needs help or encouragement to finish, make a note of that too. Then, send a note or ask to speak to the teacher expressing concern over that. I don't think teachers always realize how long assignments take little ones at home. Last year (grade 3) I thought one quarter (2nd or 3rd) started off with a lot of HW. I started noting in DD's agenda how long HW took each night. Her teacher had to sign it each day (it's a communication tool for parents and teachers), so I know she saw my notes. HW dropped off pretty quickly.

This year, DD was obsessing on a week's essay assignment. I emailed her teacher to let her know that DD had spent over 2.5 hours thus far (over a few nights). Her teacher emailed back and said under no circumstances does she want any child spending that long on an assignment and to stop her long before that.

I would be surprised if your daughter's teacher wants her spending tons of time on HW. Keep her in the loop and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck!

 

[livndisney]

WOW, I am glad I am not the only one who thinks this. My dd is in 1st and easily spends over an a hour on homework each night. Not including 30 minutes of reading nightly. And she WORKS that whole time! I think it is WAY too much. Oddly enough, her report card came home tonight with the note she needs to spend more time on homework! I am stopping this.

She gets off the bus at 3:40. She does homework from 4-6pm. With dinner and bathtime, WHEN is she supposed to be a kid?

 

[surfgirl]

Actually, I think the 2nd grader is getting off lightly.

My 2nd has:
- M: math + 2 spelling pages + read 15 min + glue/start to memorize poem
- T: math + 2 spelling pages + read 15 min + illustrate poem
- W: math + 2 spelling pages + read 15 min + finish poem
- Th: review spelling for test + read 15 min + have poem memorized

On Friday, she has spelling test + must recite poem. (btw, our teacher uses the 10 words in the spelling book + a list of 10 additional words for them).

Our public K has no homework, but 'optional' monthly homework assignments -- my DD has them done the 1st week of the month b/c she WANTS homework

 

[ntink]

Writing a sentence seems like a lot for Kindergarten. My Kindergarten DD gets a weekly packet that usually includes: practicing building letters for Handwriting w/o tears, a coloring drawing page (last week was draw one thing you like to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner) and a math page (counting & coloring) or a math game

 

[MiniGirl]

Thanks everyone for your input and listening to my vent. I have learned how to do the multi-quote, so I apologize in advance for the long response. I wanted to comment on several posts though.

How long is it taking for your kids to complete their homework? Is this a public school? .... It's a compromise between the research that states homework does not improve a kid's abilities and the tradition of reinforcement at home. I do believe the nightly reading is helpful at all elementary levels. Reading comprehension is so important for later in school and life.

Actually it doesn't take them long at all -- 10 or 15 minutes maybe. That was with the worksheets. Since the new schedule seems to emphasize writing, I'm sure it will take longer. I also believe in the nightly reading. We would do that anyway just as we have done since they were babies, so that particular assignment doesn't bother me. I added it just because it was on the sheet.

My kindergartener gets a monthly calendar each month. Each week has 5 items to do and she only has to do 3 of them each week. At the end of the month we turn in the calendar (no work) with which ones we did

Oh yeah... I forgot the calendar. We get that as well.

That is a lot of HW. I wouldn't get into a research debate on it though. For every piece of research you unearth showing HW isn't beneficial, she could counter with research that shows it is. Not a winning battle for anyone, imho.

What I would do is track how long this HW takes your DD each night for a few days. If she needs help or encouragement to finish, make a note of that too. Then, send a note or ask to speak to the teacher expressing concern over that. I would be surprised if your daughter's teacher wants her spending tons of time on HW. Keep her in the loop and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck!

Thank you for your response. Truth is I'm not against homework. I think my girls are a lot like I was in school. The work came very easily to me and I had to study very little until about 11th grade. Then I struggled through the last 2 ears of high school and the first 2 1/2 years of college. I know that part of that was because I never developed good study habits, so I would like to instill those in my girls early.

My youngest really does breeze through her work. However, like I said, she doesnt like to write, so I know this will be harder for her and she does give me a bit of a hard time when she has to do it. I do like her teacher, and I agree that I don't think she'll want this to be a big struggle. We'll have to see how it goes. I'm also wondering if this homework schedule is for just a handful of children. I volunteer in the classroom once a week, and there are 4 children who finish their work way before the others. My dd is one of those kids. I noticed last week she gave them a rather difficult assignment to help keep them occupied, so I wonder if this homework schedule is a part of this "enrichment work."

She gets off the bus at 3:40. She does homework from 4-6pm. With dinner and bathtime, WHEN is she supposed to be a kid?

Poor thing. I agree. Around here the weather is finally starting to cool down some, and my girls are loving playing outside. I would hate it is they had to miss that.

Actually, I think the 2nd grader is getting off lightly.

My 2nd has:
- M: math + 2 spelling pages + read 15 min + glue/start to memorize poem
- T: math + 2 spelling pages + read 15 min + illustrate poem
- W: math + 2 spelling pages + read 15 min + finish poem
- Th: review spelling for test + read 15 min + have poem memorized

On Friday, she has spelling test + must recite poem. (btw, our teacher uses the 10 words in the spelling book + a list of 10 additional words for them).

Our public K has no homework, but 'optional' monthly homework assignments -- my DD has them done the 1st week of the month b/c she WANTS homework

Actually, I did leave off a few things. I always forget about them because we don't always do it. I didn't leave off much though. She has to study spelling words daily. She does this independently though, so I often forget about it. She makes 100% on the spelling test every week though. On Thursdays, she has a "Ten Important Sentences" assignment. She also does this on her own before she settles down to read. I agree though. She really doesn't have much, but I think it is the right amount for a 2nd grader. It just struck me as odd that my younger dd has more homework than my older one does.

Writing a sentence seems like a lot for Kindergarten. My Kindergarten DD gets a weekly packet that usually includes: practicing building letters for Handwriting w/o tears, a coloring drawing page (last week was draw one thing you like to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner) and a math page (counting & coloring) or a math game

I think the writing is a lot. Also, I don't do my kids homework. They generally work on it while I'm cooking dinner. I am available to answer questions if needed and check to make sure they are doing it correctly and not rushing through it, but it is their homework. My youngest can't write sentences because she can't spell, and that is when she gets frustrated. Right now, I just want my kids to enjoy school. I think developing a love of learning and a love of school wil help them a great deal in the long run. So far, so good. My girls do love school. I don't want her to start hating school because the work is too hard.

Anyway, thanks again. I'm going to ask some of the other moms if they also got this homework schedule, and I will definitely discuss it with her teacher. We'll see what comes of it.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Wow! I think it is way too much! My kind. gets a contract on Monday with about 8 choices. We pick three, and it is due on Friday. I would say the choices range in time from five to fifteen minutes. They are starting guided reading next week and will get to bring home books to read with us. I am not sure if that will replace the contract or be in addition to.

When I taught, our schools' guidelines were 10 minutes per grade level. At the time, I didn't think much about it. I taught second and probably gave 20-30 minutes. I remember there was a big uproar from fifth grade parents about too much homework. I think they said they were getting about 2 hours. That is when the principal told us we needed to follow the guidelines.

Now, my third grader is on his second hour of homework. It is not always this bad, but it is way too much. When is he supposed to play and do his after school activities - piano, Cub Scouts, and one sport- which he really loves and I think they are all beneficial.

About the sentences - Unless most of the class can do them independently, I don't think they should be assigned. Homework is not about the parents being the teacher.

Good luck!

 

[tinkandpan]

According to our K teacher- the homework was just restructured this year. Apparently the past few years, the homework had gotten out of hand and kids were spending an hour on it each day. This year the school would like us to spend 10-15 minutes a night on homework in addition to nightly reading. Here is what we have- we get a folder on tues and it is due back on friday

write their full name 3x
they get 3 upper and 3 lower case letters to practice 5x each
practive writing the sight words for the week (usually 5)
Draw a picture and write a sentence using the site words answering the quetion of the week (favorite fall activity, what you did for halloween....)
2 everyday math problems.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Minigirl, you live near me if my memory serves me. DH and I decided against public school for this exact reason. We'd heard from a lot of our neighbors that the schools were homework/busywork happy here. We're sending DD to IHB Montessori instead. They don't do homework at all. I am not sure if they still have Kindergarten spots for this year or not, but call them if you're interested. They let us do a tour when it was convenient for us, and they also have a prospective parent night sometime during the school year. The tuition is not bad either. Our neighbor's son is a kindergartener there this year and he loves it.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

That does seem like a lot for kindergarten, especially writing sentences. I do remember DD8 was writing sentences in kindergarten, but I think it was not assigned for homework until after Christmas. Our kindergarten teacher actually encouraged the kids to write the words as they sound rather than trying to spell them (unless they were spelling words or kindergarten words) - they were more interested in the kids being able to put ideas together.

Our school has a guideline of 10 minutes of homework per grade level per day, plus 30 minutes of reading (which can be a parent reading to the child if the child is not an independent reader yet). So kindergarten would have 10 minutes, third grade would have 40 minutes (which is about right for DD8 so far this year). Our kindergarten homework is optional, though.

It is very good that your DD's teacher recognizes that she is finishing early and is trying to keep her interested and enriched. She may be trying to determine where each child is academically to best encourage them. If the writing homework is too much or your DD has trouble with it, let your teacher know. If it gets sent it correctly, the teacher has no way of knowing who struggled, who thought it was easy, and whose parents did it for them. Better that your DD's teacher is differentiating in an attempt to make sure everyone is learning to his/her potential than she gives everyone the same things to do and your DD is not being challenged. Having a class where just a few kids are above grade level is challenging for a teacher - it's a balancing act to enrich those kids while making sure everyone else learns basic skills that are required. The very best teachers identify those kids and are able to provide activities for them so they still feel a part of the class while not spending time reviewing things that they know but most of the kids don't.

 

[Magpie]

I can't say whether that's too much work - it really depends on your child and what she's capable of. It would not have been too much work for my daughter, while my son would have been completely overwhelmed.

My grade 5 son has a learning disability - he writes so slowly he could get stuck working on homework all night if we're not careful. What we do is set a time limit. A normal kindergarten aged child should not have to work more than fifteen minutes in an evening. In my son's case, his teacher has instructed me to to stop him after he's worked half an hour, assuming he's worked hard.

You should sit with your daughter for that fifteen minutes - most kindy aged kids aren't capable of sustained effort without help. You don't want her sitting at the table looking at her work and thinking, "I don't want to do this!" for the whole fifteen minutes. That's wasted time and frustrating for everyone.

Break up her work into small manageable chunks. Do some every day. If she has a spelling test on Wednesday, then make sure to review two or three words every day leading up to the test. Don't try to get all your studying in on Tuesday night!

You're teaching her to focus and manage her time. You're teaching her that doing a task right off means she'll be done and get to go and play sooner. If you ever find that she's got more work than she can do in fifteen minutes, just write a note and send it in to school with her.

Good luck! I actually enjoy the time I spend looking over my son's work with him. It's good to sit down with him and find out what he's doing in school.

 

[annie1995]

Wow, thats way more homework then mine ever had. Its sad that kids can't be kids anymore .

 

[seashoreCM]

I didn't know that kindergarteners learned what sentences were let alone being told to construct several as part of homework.

The second grade stuff looks about like what I had to do in second grade. The OP did not mention how many math problems were on the worksheet or how many words were in the spelling list.

Somehow I don't remember "readers" until second grade.

Would the kid feel more comfortable doing two math problems and then going away and doing something else and then coming back and spelling two or three words and then going away and doing something else, etc.? Does the school anticipate that the parent would be supervising the K'er?

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[lpandorf]

My 2nd grader easily spends an hour on average doing homework each night. And she's a good reader, tests in 95% consistently on reading standardized tests. I was telling my husband I feel bad for the kids that don't read quite as well, that they must be spending even more time doing the homework. Sometimes she's in tears over homework. One night she was at it for 1.5 hours and then the tears came. I'd say by that point it was just to much for a 7 year old.