To not like homework in primary schools?

[IGiorni]

What do you think of it? I’ve just got my son’s report. All really positive, tries hard, achieving above expected standards in maths and English and at expected standards in everything else. No criticism other than ‘needs to try harder with home learning tasks next year’. He’s 8 and every week is supposed to read books from school (he reads a lot but prefers his own books), learn spellings and write them out multiple times, write out times tables, play maths games on the iPad and do a piece of maths or English homework on alternate weeks. Plus he gets a project to do every holidays. I personally think it’s a bit excessive for an 8 year old. He’s in childcare before and after school most days so he’s tired when he comes home and I don’t think he needs to be doing so much writing when he’s been at school all day. Interested to hear others’ thoughts.

YANBU, there is no place for homework in primary schools in my opinion, other than reading practice and maybe tables.

And they don't need to practice homework for secondary school, they can get used to it when they get there.

Let kids be kids.

Why isn't he doing it during childcare time?

I think it's a good thing.

My daughter does 5 to 10 mins a day. And this has been the case since nursery. She is 5. This is to get them used to it s d gradually increase it.

She actually enjoys it. And it's not a shock when they get older. It's good your son is being told to improve it now rather than later on when its coursework.

YANBU. Massive fucking ball ache and school is full on enough already.

I think some h/w is good, but that seems like a lot.

I don't think schools should be setting holiday h/w.

But also think some could be done at the childcare, e.g. the reading and spellings? We used to do those in the morning while still fresh.

To be fair that doesn't sound like masses - reading, timetables and spellings could be 5 minutes a night and (other than spellings) these do benefit from regular practice. i would object to projects in holidays though - holidays should be for relaxing!

I don’t think there should be anything beyond reading and spelling for Primary.

We didn’t get anything other than that until starting middle school (rising 10) and that was fine.

Im a teacher in a primary school and I think that sounds excessive for 8 years old. The problem is schools can’t win because for every parent that would rather have less homework if we give less out then we would have numerous parents saying they want more and they want their child pushed more. No matter what we do we can never keep everyone happy. I would ignore the report comment.

YANBU. I hate it in secondary schools too.

He doesn’t get to the childminders until 4. They’ve all been doing work all day so they go play in the garden until she’s made tea. I’d feel a bit mean saying he had to sit and do homework while all his friends are playing out. I also don’t think it’s her job to help him with homework or listen to him read when she’s got other children to look after too. I don’t mind the spelling/times tables practice but they have to write them out multiple times even if they know them, which I think is unnecessary. I just think it’s too much time sat down writing on top of the hours at school. Surely playing and extracurricular activities are more important outside of school given that they spend less than an hour a day doing physical activity most days.

If the books he's been given to read don't suit him for any particular reason then you need to speak to the teacher about the subjects they cover. I know some children are given very stereotypical books based on their sex so refuse to read them.

Also you shouldn't be doing projects in the holidays. Holidays are for playing and individual learning, which maybe more reading but also experiencing things.

Ex teacher here- when my son goes to school he will do reading at home and times tables practice, any homework or spellings will only be if he wants to as there is no actual benefit to learning of homework other than reading in primary school according to studies. I'm not going to waste family time it have arguments about it!

I disagree

He may be at school for hours but he won't get any one to one time for readings

Times tables and spellings can be done in the car

He isn't writing for hours - more like 20 mins in a literacy lesson

Maths may be practical and similar 20 mins writing

Research into education shows that homework in primary schools not only doesn't benefit the children, it is actively bad for them as it takes away time they need to play. Once they are in secondary school, it does make a difference, but primary schools? They shouldn't be doing it, or only reading with you, or if they want to, reading to you, but all in a 'this is what we chose to do' environment.

Reading I definitely agree with, but I've told the school I don't believe in homework in Primary so do not expect any 😳

My eldest just scored top marks on his SATS, he inhales books though x

I think reading is very important, he reads every day but out of choice. It’s the being forced to sit and write I don’t agree with.

All evidence and research shows homework, apart from reading does not help children. The children who may have benefited from homework are often the ones with no support at home so it doesn't get done.
However parents want homework so we have to give some out. I recieved 0 pieces back from my class last year.

Our primary keep people in at lunch if they dont do thwir homework :( Just long enough to write out spellings etc.

My eldest just scored top marks on his SATS

Good for you - some kids need the one to one with parents to have a chance at succeeding - homework gives the parents an idea of what they are learning in school and can extend that learning at home.

Ours are expected to do Maths and SPAG weekly, reading 4 times a week. Topic homework was dropped last year after discussion with parents. Ours have never been given homework to do in the holidays.

YANBU I've never forced mine to do homework in Primary. We do timetable practice on the walk to school and read regularly. My eldest is now yr 9 and never had an issue adapting to doing homework and does it without being nagged by me.