Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Homework expectations

58 replies

ChristmasWithDC · 05/10/2021 17:29

My Ds is 9yo, in year 5. This year as well as having maths and spelling as weekly homework parents have been told that all pupils are expected to read for 30 minutes each evening and then fill in their reading record with how much they read, what happened and what they enjoyed or didn’t enjoy about it.

Ds is a competent reader who genuinely enjoys reading. I make sure every Sunday afternoon is free and we spend it doing homework, reading and then baking/ painting/ something similar as a family. Ds will happily read a whole 200-300 page book every Sunday afternoon.

I assumed this was fine and Ds has been filling in his reading record weekly with the book he’s read and a full paragraph on what he thought about it. Today he came home from school upset as he’s been told he has to stay in every break time this week to read for 10 minutes and then write it up as he didn’t do his homework. I messaged his teacher as I assumed it was a misunderstanding, Ds won’t speak up for himself if he’s told to do something even if he thinks it’s fair. Teacher messages me back to say that the homework expectations are very clear, Ds had not fulfilled them and the consequences are that he will now be doing it at break time instead.

I don’t know if I’m just being precious but from my POV that’s massively unfair. He’s doing the reading and the writing, he’s just doing it on one day instead of 7 but it’s still the same amount that is done. Ds has activities after school everyday apart from Wednesday and is absolutely shattered by the time he gets home. Making him then do reading will just make it seem like a chore when at the moment it is something he genuinely gets pleasure from.

Should I argue it and be THAT parent? Or should I just shut up and accept that’s the rules and he needs to do his homework in the way prescribed rather than the way I think is best?

OP posts:
romdowa · 05/10/2021 17:35

I'd argue it because it's very unfair 😕

user1000000000009 · 05/10/2021 17:52

We don't do homework in my house.

They've been at school all day. Home time is to chill out, see friends and family, go to after school clubs and relax.

samwitwicky · 05/10/2021 17:59

Argue it

WeepySheepy · 05/10/2021 18:00

He's done less writing than the others though. And not written about each section he's read? Or is he? If you write the sections as you go its going to be different to if you write it at the end and know whats happened.

WeepySheepy · 05/10/2021 18:01

I get what you mean about he's read the same amount and probably enjoyed it more though.

minipie · 05/10/2021 18:04

I would argue, but it would be best to approach it as “is it ok if DS does it this way instead as he has clubs and is tired” rather than “DS won’t be doing it your way as it’s very unfair”. Latter may make them dig heels in.

The other option is let him read the whole book at the weekend then write down 5 things about what he’s read. Then each day he copies out one of those things into his reading record.

In other words, do it your way but pretend you’re doing it the school’s way.

treehousethunderstorm · 05/10/2021 18:05

How often does the reading record go in to get checked?
It does sound like a silly rule, but to get round it can he not read on a Sunday as usual but pause every so often to fill in the record for each day of the week with a paragraph about what he's just read.

WeepySheepy · 05/10/2021 18:05

@treehousethunderstorm

How often does the reading record go in to get checked? It does sound like a silly rule, but to get round it can he not read on a Sunday as usual but pause every so often to fill in the record for each day of the week with a paragraph about what he's just read.
Yes this is what I'd do. In different pens!
FuckingFlumps · 05/10/2021 18:06

I'd argue it! The teacher is being rediculous and I say that as teacher.

Plus as an avid reader I can honestly think of no better way to turn someone off reading completely than getting them to read a set amount of a book each evening and dissect what they have read to within an inch of its life.

Chewieboora · 05/10/2021 18:06

What a way to turn kids off reading! Is this a permanent thing or one off for a week? If permanent I would refuse, who wants to analyse a book 5 days a week age 9?

SickAndTiredAgain · 05/10/2021 18:06

@treehousethunderstorm

How often does the reading record go in to get checked? It does sound like a silly rule, but to get round it can he not read on a Sunday as usual but pause every so often to fill in the record for each day of the week with a paragraph about what he's just read.
That’s what I’d do.
Seashor · 05/10/2021 18:07

Only in the first world would a parent complain about their child being asked to read! I just wish that parents would put half as much energy into supporting teachers as they do into complaining about them.

FuckingFlumps · 05/10/2021 18:10

@Seashor

Only in the first world would a parent complain about their child being asked to read! I just wish that parents would put half as much energy into supporting teachers as they do into complaining about them.
So the OP isn't allowed to discuss it with teh teacher because it's a first world problem?

This is a child who likes reading, which for a boy in year 5 is already a massive achievement. Setting work like this and then making him stay inside and read as a punishment for not doing it in such a prescribed format is likely to do nothing more than turn him off books altogether.

Chewieboora · 05/10/2021 18:13

@Seashor

Only in the first world would a parent complain about their child being asked to read! I just wish that parents would put half as much energy into supporting teachers as they do into complaining about them.
It's not the reading, it's the writing every night! That is a big ask after a day at school, other homework, clubs etc. If OP's son is a happy reader that should be recognised, and I'd be having a word with the school about how to encourage reading (not by making kids write pointless sentences every night).
Essen · 05/10/2021 18:17

It sounds like a great way to put children off reading.

DDiva · 05/10/2021 18:17

They are probably trying to encourage regular daily reading as a normal hobby. I would argue if it was a struggle to fit it in but I think reading regularly probably has benefits over reading once a week. Also to get used to having homework every day in preparation for secondary school.

Gladioli23 · 05/10/2021 18:20

I think I would try and argue it and if not go for the 5 nights, 5 pens, actually reading on one day plan.

FuckingFlumps · 05/10/2021 18:20

but I think reading regularly probably has benefits over reading once a week.

Not if you have to dissect what you have read and write pointless sentences about it. It would also frustrate me as a reader to have to stop frequently part way through a book, I much prefer reading them in one go and getting immersed in the story. Having to analyse what I had read after every few chapters would certainly make me less eager to pick up a book.

Carey55 · 05/10/2021 18:21

I’m a teacher and am shocked that a teacher would use reading as a punishment, what a way to put children off reading!! As a parent myself I’d be inclined to question the rationale behind the 30 minute a night rule, if this has to be followed up with writing in the log then you are looking at at least 45 minutes. I can’t see how dissecting a book every night is going to encourage a life long love of reading!

Gladioli23 · 05/10/2021 18:24

Also, is it 7 days a week they're meant to do this?

If so, they're insisting on 5.25 hours, plus say 2 hours for maths and English homework, plus what 25 hours a week of school? I've had full time jobs that were only 2 hours more a week than that!

Insisting on writing about their reading every night would have been an amazing way to ensure I really hated reading.

WeepySheepy · 05/10/2021 18:24

@Gladioli23

I think I would try and argue it and if not go for the 5 nights, 5 pens, actually reading on one day plan.
I'd do 5 nights 3 pens other wise it looks a bit sus
ChrissyPlummer · 05/10/2021 18:26

I was going to suggest what others have; read as he does now, wrote five things (different pens) and hand that in. Otherwise, I’d definitely speak to school. What’s the difference? He’s either reading a book or he isn't 🤷‍♀️

Tal45 · 05/10/2021 18:26

Make him miss break and force him to read instead - that'll instil a love of reading for sure. Sounds like a crap teacher to me, there are plenty around (as well as many brilliant ones of course!).

DDiva · 05/10/2021 18:27

@FuckingFlumps

but I think reading regularly probably has benefits over reading once a week.

Not if you have to dissect what you have read and write pointless sentences about it. It would also frustrate me as a reader to have to stop frequently part way through a book, I much prefer reading them in one go and getting immersed in the story. Having to analyse what I had read after every few chapters would certainly make me less eager to pick up a book.

True but at this age the teacher will still be monitoring if the child is fully understanding what they're reading. Without the child explaining what they're reading they can say they've read 3 chapters but really not read anything, then any struggles could remain undetected.
Gladioli23 · 05/10/2021 18:27

@WeepySheepy good point! Obviously you don't want the poor child being questioned on it, I might well have crumbled if questioned at 9.