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AIBU?

to expect my sons homework to be looked at?!

54 replies

Greenfingeredfun · 09/01/2017 17:57

My son is 10yro and at middle school. In our house, homework is a misery. But it gets done, on time. However, half the time it remains in his bag because 'they haven't asked us to hand it in'. When they do collect it in, he never gets it returned/any feedback. He really struggled with some maths homework which was set over a month ago. I wrote a note on it to his teacher explaining that he found a particular section difficult and please could he go over it with him'. The teachers never gone over it with him, apparently he just said 'that's okay, don't worry about it'! FFS!!! My son is not naturally academic and works bloody hard to stay afloat. Seriously, what's the point in this extra work?! This is an 'outstanding' school

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cherrycrumblecustard · 09/01/2017 19:16

I think it's fair enough to set homework and mark it when you're ready. Most schools seem to insist on at least one homework p/w for each subject. What would annoy me is if there was a sanction for not doing it.

Petalbird · 09/01/2017 19:22

Don't teach but work as a tech in a school. All the home work is for the kids to make sure they understand what is happening or to prep for next lesson it is often either self marked or by questions at the start of the lesson. They couldn't possibly mark every bit of homework even marking books is a nightmare

d270r0 · 09/01/2017 19:35

As a teacher I set homework only because I am expected to. I would be told off if I didn't! And yes I am expected to check it is done as well, either mark it or have it peer marked in class.
In reality there isn't always time to mark every homework, given thats weekly homework set to about 8 classes. So yes sometimes it does get forgotten, or there are more pressing things to do such as marking mock papers, reports, parents evenings, planning for observations etc.
But I have to say, I certainly don't view homeworks as being 'done for me'. Homeworks are set so the student consolidates the work outside of class. And they aren't all strictly necessary from my point of view but we are expected to set it and get it marked. Thats the only reason I set them.

Greenfingeredfun · 09/01/2017 19:38

If a child handed in a piece of homework with a note in it from the parent saying their child didn't understand it.. would you explain it to them?

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d270r0 · 09/01/2017 19:45

I would if it was a main topic, something they needed to know. The only exception would be if it was maybe an extension question, and the student had not much hope of understanding it, if it was of too high a level for them. Often homework tasks have some easy, some middle and some hard questions in to cater for all abilities and extend the more able.
It would still have to wait until an appropriate time.

PunkrockerGirl · 09/01/2017 19:49

SnatchedPencil
How very amusing you are not

Trifleorbust · 09/01/2017 19:50

If a child handed in a piece of homework with a note in it from the parent saying their child didn't understand it.. would you explain it to them?

If I intended to revisit the topic with the whole class I might not do one-to-one explanations as well. And if the child had form for saying he 'didn't understand' the homework when there clearly hadn't been an attempt to do it (not saying this is what has happened here) I would spare some time when I had it but I wouldn't make it a priority. I get lots of notes from parents saying little Fred didn't understand what to do, but where the instructions have been so clear that I find that frankly hard to believe, and when questioned it turns out little Fred didn't read the instructions

Greenfingeredfun · 09/01/2017 19:55

They know he struggles, they've just put additional maths lessons in place for him. That's why I found it strange that they are not explaining things which have been made clear that he hasn't understood. Actually thought I was being helpful by making them aware

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lifeisazebracrossing · 09/01/2017 21:31

I'm a teacher. Homework should be checked and marked (or self/peer assessed). It's a ball ache checking homework in the lesson as it eats into lesson time but I do it. The easiest way is to ask those who haven't done it to put hands up and write names down and then collect all books in later. They may not be checked/marked that day but pupils know they won't get away with it then.

I agree, OP, that homework loses its value if not checked/ marked and pupils ( not mine!) have admitted they don't do it if it isn't checked. Why would they? Although my school has an online maths homework system so it's easy to check who's done it.

Younger pupils need homework to prepare them for GCSE revision. Well done for making sure he does it.

cherrycrumblecustard · 09/01/2017 21:33

If it eats into lesson time doesn't that eat into learning time though?

toffee1000 · 09/01/2017 21:37

If I got a bad mark on a piece of homework, I'd want to know why. I don't remember assessing other kids' work or my own. If it's not marked or checked then it seems pointless doing it.

sailorcherries · 09/01/2017 22:09

I set homework weekly and I do mark it. Sometimes there may be comments, sometimes a simple tick or dot at answers. I refuse to go in depth when physically marking as I actually speak to the pupils; although to some it may loom half arsed.

I've also had children say they "don't know" or are "struggling" with homework, only for it to be a play on mum and dad and never brought to my attention. Alternatively I've had children who don't know given extra support for them to still tell their parents it was brushed aside.

Iggi999 · 09/01/2017 22:18

Go into the school and talk to the, about all this (make an appointment first!) I'd be really upset if I brushed off a child showing me a certificate, but I could imagine brushing someone off while rushing to get ready for a difficult class, and thinking they were going to show me a funny cat video on YouTube or something. You should raise your concerns.
Peer and self assessment has educational value - working out what is good/not so good about your own or other's work will show you what you need to do to improve.
(Clocking off now after my "6 hour" day)

lifeisazebracrossing · 09/01/2017 22:19

Cherry Yes, and it messes up lesson timing but it's necessary. It takes less time to quickly write names down though. All homework I set is written in books and marked/checked anyway. Peer/Self assessment is also checked (this assessment is a requirement and, done properly with pupil generated success criteria, can be as valuable as teacher marking).

cherrycrumblecustard · 09/01/2017 22:20

You do kind of have to wonder why a degree is needed then, if kids can do it :)

Dogivemeabreak · 09/01/2017 22:26

I'm a teacher and I see just over 120 students every day. I might arrange an extra math class for a student (which they've done) but time to go over homework individually not likely.

Iggi999 · 09/01/2017 22:41

Oh ffs Cherry do you mean to be so rude?
I can promise you in my 5 years at university I was never once taught "to mark" it is not the reason you are paying our vast salaries and our gold plated pensions (just to save you the bother of mentioning those)

cherrycrumblecustard · 09/01/2017 22:53

But feedback is a massive part of teaching?

PotatoVegetable · 09/01/2017 23:16

Is not marking limited to state or does this happen in private schools too.

Trifleorbust · 10/01/2017 01:06

But feedback is a massive part of teaching?

Of course it is. But the nature and timing of the feedback will vary according to the judgement of the teacher and the policies of the school. It is neither possible not desirable to mark everything.

lifeisazebracrossing · 10/01/2017 09:43

Cherry It appears you're just trying to provoke teachers. Therefore, there's no point responding to your questions any longer.

Greenfingeredfun · 11/01/2017 13:21

Update - I met with his teacher after school yesterday. He has completely and utterly reassured me. He showed me my sons homework file which has every single piece of homework he's ever done for him marked, with feedback and filed. It's actually given to my son who files it. So a load of tosh from my son about never getting his homework marked!! He told me exactly where my sons at and his next steps. He explained that the extra maths is a pre SATS booster. Feeling suitably silly now!

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Greenfingeredfun · 11/01/2017 13:24

He had also gone over the work he struggled with with the whole class as they'd all found it tricky

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Trifleorbust · 11/01/2017 13:25

No reason for you to feel silly, OP. But you need to work out why your DS lied.

GnomeDePlume · 11/01/2017 13:34

This from The Sutton Trust is very interesting on what actually works and what doesnt.

The thing that works is rapid feedback.

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