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Education

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Original poster

Why do teachers set homework that obviously has to be done by the parents?

78 replies

Twiglett · 21/03/2006 18:23

I've been quite well educated and feel I've done my stint ..

so I would balk at any homework that involved me making something for my child

recently had a dress up for book day .. fine he went as a power ranger (well there's annuals aren't there?) .. but I actually resent the fact that many parents have to either buy something or make something

so what's the benefit then?

OP posts:

corblimeymadam · 22/03/2006 10:31

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kipper22 · 22/03/2006 10:34

Sorry - I was one of those teachers who set homework for parents to do with children. I taught Reception and, believe it or not, absolutely hate the idea of homework for infants. Because of this I always set reading plus a 'finding out' kind of activity, such as looking for words you can read on the way home or playing counting games with a family member and teddies or raisins. I thought that I was helping parents who didn't know how to help their child in this way.
As for dressing up days, we only ever had them as a way to raise money (e.g. red nose day) or as part of national/international initiatives (e.g. world book day). Otherwise it woud be tag/mufty/own clothes days. The children always really enjoyed these - sorry but I always felt sorry for those who came in uniform. It doesn't have to be a competition - dressing as a kid out of, for example, We're Going on a Bear Hunt for Book Day doesn't cost anything.

Chandra · 22/03/2006 10:35

I thought most were complaining about being given homework that the parents have to do mostly by themselves or that may end up being part of a very competitive issue. As far as I understood, helping with regular homework is fine with every one.

corblimeymadam · 22/03/2006 10:45

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kipper22 · 22/03/2006 10:54

oh good! I did have positive feedback from my parents but I was beginning to think they were just being nice! :)

GeorginaA · 22/03/2006 11:06

At our school we get an "activity bag" once every 3-4 weeks that we get to keep for a whole week. There's no "obligation" to do it, but of course, ds1 is ridiculously excited when it's his turn to get one, and they are fun things to do and explore together. I quite like these - if you are horribly pushed and rushed off your feet, then you don't feel guilty if you don't get through it all - unlike some of the "projects" people have been describing here .

We also get a reading book each night (either for ds1 to read, or for me to read with him) which mostly only take 5-10 mins. I think our school has got the right level for reception at least...

Caligula · 22/03/2006 11:08

I wasn't calling you patronising, belgianbun, but pointing out that the attitudes behind some of these "let's get the parents involved in their kid's education" homework projects is patronising. As if we're not already involved FGS! We send them to school, we go to parent's evenings, we encourage them to have a positive attitude to school, we attempt to have good communication with teachers, we ensure we take opportunities in every day life to underpin what they're learning at school - we are involved, big time. It's a mistake to think that sticky backed plastic projects make us more involved, and yes, I have to say, more than a little patronising! And it doesn't make parents who aren't involved, any more likely to be, because they won't do the homework anyway - it will just be done by us enthusiastic or world-weary involved parents, thus re-inforcing the advantage our kids have over the uninvolved ones.

Caligula · 22/03/2006 11:10

Oh, I agree the type of homework Kipper is describing is much better - it's the sort of thing lots of parents would do anyway, and lots of other parents who wouldn't think of doing it will also join in.

There will always be a hard core who won't though, and I'm not really sure what you can do about reaching them.

corblimeymadam · 22/03/2006 11:17

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beetroot · 22/03/2006 11:24

Kids enjoy dressing up and surely it is not that diffucult?

As for homework that the parents need to d instead of kids..well you ned to go in and see the teacher.

I have been asked specifically not to help my 10 year old as he needs to gain confidence that he CAN do it himslef.

Part of the job of haivng kids is to supervise and encourage homework imo

Original poster

Twiglett · 22/03/2006 11:27

I object to my 5 year old reception class child being given reading and writing homework .. which admittedly should only take 10 mins or so .. and was fine when it was all new and exciting to him .. but I feel he spends 7 hours at school in a learning environment .. I want him to be relaxed and enjoy being a home .. I want him to do 'homework' when it is necessary and he appreciates encouraging himself to do the work ie when he's in secondary school FFS

BTW at home we read books and write silly notes to each other, we make stuff and we draw all over the bath with writing crayons .. ie we do the 10 minutes or so of 'homework' type exercises and much more on a daily basis .. but its our life not set by his teacher .. and its not a competitive sport .. that's the difference

OP posts:

Caligula · 22/03/2006 11:31

You draw on the bath with writing crayons? Which crayons are these then? are they designed for bath use?

madmarchhare · 22/03/2006 11:33

DS had some bought for christmas, its just coloured soap really.

Caligula · 22/03/2006 11:34

ooh, sounds good. Where d'you get them?

madmarchhare · 22/03/2006 11:36

Not sure wher they were from. I can find out.

corblimeymadam · 22/03/2006 11:36

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

corblimeymadam · 22/03/2006 11:37

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Original poster

Twiglett · 22/03/2006 11:39

caligula .. think DH picked them up in woolworths

bb .. tbh I've just stopped making him do it .. because he used to hate having to .. and I want him to learn how to enjoy learning .. not force him into doing things ..plenty of time for forcing later on if you ask me

OP posts:

zippitippitoes · 22/03/2006 11:40

you can get bath crayons in tesco

Caligula · 22/03/2006 11:50

I've never seen them anywhere. Mind you, I'm oblivious to these things and usually rush through toy sections. They sound brilliant.

madmarchhare · 22/03/2006 12:27

\link{http://www.letterbox.co.uk/index.pl?type=view&prodcode=3535\These} were the ones DS had.

joelalie · 22/03/2006 14:12

My DS' teacher freely admits that she in most cases she is marking the parents work!! So why do it then? She reckons that it teaches self-discipline and prepares the children for secondary school....Don't know how true that is but DS wouldn't dare not do it. I'd gladly not bother. It would be easier to sit down and do it for him TBH than sit around for hours 'offering support' while he whinges, gets distracted, loses his temper, hates everyone and then finally completes it.....it's sheer hell.

SueW · 22/03/2006 14:17

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

Caligula · 22/03/2006 14:18

joelalie, who is it teaching self-discipline to? The parents or the kids?

Original poster

Twiglett · 22/03/2006 14:21

can't wait for all these teachers to have their own blinkin' kids

OP posts:

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