How much do you get involved with yr7 homework?

[HomeworkIsHell]

I've just written out a huge post then deleted it all as I don't want to sway either way I would just like an opinion please..

If you know your child understands the work but does a clear 5% effort then wwyd?

Technically the work is being done as requested...but it's shit and clearly shows he isn't doing what he's capable of. The teacher will see that the second she looks at it.

?

In year 7, yes. Learning to study is its own skill.

I'd probably look to take a hard line that it needs to be an acceptable standard and that standard earns privileges and once id set it out id not engage in an arguement.

As he got less argumentative and more proactive id be happy to let him work under his own steam as long as it was all done for example by sunday 8pm. If its not done he loses his phone until it is done.

I focus on the result. If they can perform a task in 5 minutes, or with minimal effort - good on them. Depends on what the homework is, really. Not everything requires hours of faffing.

So I am in the same position. DS1 came in, did his first piece of homework in 10 mins and he was done.

Resisted the urge of saying 'have you done it properly?'

He got a commendation for excellent standard of homework.

He is, like a lot of boys, a pragmatist, which is actually a useful skill. He gets things done, doesn't overthink just gets it done. Better than faffing, and causing drama.

However this weekend will be about teaching him to take the time to read around the topics, prepare for the next lesson and enjoy what he's learning. And if he wants to go back and edit and improve his homework he can. But I think he's the type that wants to just do it and then relax which is not a bad way to be. As always, it's a balance.

we had a chat after school about what had been set, when she planned to do it, any thoughts she had, and any advice she might want. I didn't sign a planner or check an app but expected her to be honest, nor did I review what was produced. termly reports give a grade for quality of homework, which was always fine or better so I left it at that. If the homework grade had been different I may have take a more interventionist approach.

My rule with my secondary kids is that I'm happy to put in as much energy as they do. When I've felt I'm putting in significantly more than them once they've transitioned well into secondary age (so further into Y7 as some need more help developing skills), things don't go well and it becomes an energy drain and we butt heads too much.

I'm happy to be the parent who sits next to them through the work, who helps them look up resources or helps create timetables for their work, sets additional work - part of me enjoys that (part of why I home educate for primary), but only if they are putting in the interest and energy alongside me. There are a few subjects where my interest can keep me going (usually in the humanities - lot of fun with DD doing the American War of Independence with my being American) or where I think the topic is important enough and rarely covered well enough in schools with the time squeeze that I'll bribe them into it and into doing more (RSE), but at around this age I feel it needs to become more of us working together. If I'm getting minimum feedback and interest, I'm going to give them minimum effort just for all of our wellbeing.

My minimum is asking about homework & tests, signing off their planners, and getting the required equipment which works well in some subjects. At this part of Y7, I'd add in having a look over anything they ask, discussing different ways of studying for tests when they start coming up, and making sure all the equipment at home is well organized (I'm currently avoiding my Y8 and Y10 DD's bedroom as their natural organization is a bit chaotic ).