Primary school homework.

[marmite79]

Aibu to think sometimes they expect too much? Numerous tasks have been set on google classroom - prior to covid the same amount was sent home in their book bags even at reception age.

I know homework is important but why so much at primary age?

I’m not even 30 yet and and I cannot recall ever having much homework at primary school age - apart from the usual reading books and spellings to learn which is to be expected.

There’s been so much set and truthfully we aren’t getting a lot done.

DS has autism and he doesn’t really want to do any of it. It’s too complicated for him. He is behind his peers and does appropriate work in the classroom why do they expect more difficult at home! Dd is more willing but at her age I feel it’s too much.

Like I said, can’t remember any homework. In fact I remember some of us asking if we could have homework as it seemed like a novelty!! R

Why is it more of a thing now?

It more of a thing because enough parents expect it, and will question the school if not given it.

There are many teachers that set homework when they’d rather not, but it expected of them.

Hmm thanks. Just seems a bit much. I get one or two pieces but multiple things for young children seems unrealistic - for mine anyway!

Schools can’t do right for doing wrong. If they don’t set it, parents complain their children aren’t being stretched. If they do, other parents complain it’s too hard / takes too long.
There’s very little evidence that homework is beneficial for primary age, other than reading. If it’s a struggle, have a quick word with the teacher (or email in current circumstances) asking if they actually expect it to be completed. I’ve been told by mine that they don’t mind either way, and not to stress about it.

We don't get much.

Ds is in yr3 and so far this term has just had spellings and times table practice plus reading book. Pre Covid they get a grid of topic activities and are expected to complete one piece a fortnight but really they can choose how little or much they do.

Dd is in year 6 and had a maths sheet and piece of research for their topic weekly. I think she will get more after Christmas to prepare her for secondary school.

I think our school have a good balance.

Mine wouldn't be able to do the amount you're describing, it's hard enough to get them to do what they have. Plus under usual circumstances there's swimming, piano, football x 3 etc plus dh and I both work and don't want to have to factor homework into our weekends. It's fine for people whose dc get on and do it independently (dd does) but ds needs someone with him the whole time.

Primary homework hasn't been proven to have much of an impact on outcomes, so I'm not in favour of it beyond reading.

My DDs' school does set some. It doesn't seem to be differentiated which makes about as much sense as not differentiating class work. We have previously just explained to the teacher that unless it is differentiated then we won't be doing it as it is a waste if time. Obviously I said it less bluntly than that. More of a 'We're happy to do it if you can set something appropriate for DD, but know you're really busy, so no need to set her something else.' The teachers have been fine with that.

It's more of an issue this year as DD1 is getting rewards in class for doing it.

Schools can’t do right for doing wrong. If they don’t set it, parents complain their children aren’t being stretched. If they do, other parents complain it’s too hard / takes too long

So it seems quite an easy solution.

No homework is expected, but here are lots of ideas based on our current themes of X,Y,Z.

e.g.
Write a drinking song the Vikings would sing before setting off to pillage.
etc.

A little effort for the school, but the themes are likely re-used so that can be too, but then only effort for the parents who'll moan, the rest can ignore it.

Thanks all. As I said in op I was never given homework at primary age. I managed secondary schools and keeping on top of homework there just fine (most of the time anyway 🤣) and did fine at school so I do wonder what benefit it has!

I’ll have a word (or email) with teachers! I find it very overwhelming especially when homework is set for the weekend! Not enough hours!

I agree! but I'm a parent who goes with what the school decide, my 8yo has weekly spellings, TT rock starts (which I hate as think sheets would be better), daily reading and 3 projects per term, this month is write a letter to the PM about environmental issues, a quiz about the Celts and a Maths collage of using maths in the home 😩

Which year is it? We just had a ramp up in homework volume and DD is Y5.