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Original poster

I sodding well hate homework

51 replies

TheBrayingBanshee · 14/12/2008 17:29

Not putting this in AIBU because I just want to rant not debate. I hate homework especially for the under 10s. They should rename it extra parenting work. It is totally unnecessary, cuts into precious family and down time and it causes strops every week as my dd hates it and I don't blame her.

I think they have a long enough day at school and if the education system is failing to teach little ones all they need to know in such a long day then the system is seriously crap. Why should the parents take up the slack of further education at home. If I wanted to home-school then I would.

I sodding well hate homework.

Hmmnn do I feel better now? Not yet still got the homework to get through.

OP posts:
roundcornvirgin · 14/12/2008 17:31

Hurrah for braying banshee. Ban homework for primary children I say.

OhLITTLEFISHofBethlehem · 14/12/2008 17:38

I'm a teacher and I absolutely agree. Reading at home only.

islandofsodor · 14/12/2008 17:40

So do I and I have gone as far as writing in and subsequently meeting with the headteacher to express my view.

We have come to a sort of compromise where dd (Year 2) does it if she wants to and she has time and ds (reception) ignores his completely as long as we do reading.

andlipsticktoo · 14/12/2008 17:44

I think it's a good way for us parents to keep in touch with what they are doing in school.... so I actually quite like it.

Obviously there are some weeks when we are so busy it gets in the way - so we just don't do it then!

Sorry, I understand I may be the only mother who does like it!

stillenacht · 14/12/2008 17:44

I'm a teacher (secondary) and agree too

Reading and BRING BACK SPELLINGS I SAY!

Original poster
TheBrayingBanshee · 14/12/2008 17:45

Teachers, you have my utmost respect, I am well aware this is not your fault. I wouldn't be a teacher for anything. But I have met many parents who have actually complained the children are not getting enough homework and this from Year One parents (age 5). Aaaarrgghh

OP posts:
stillenacht · 14/12/2008 17:46

I totally agree - i have met parents like this - they are idiots!

Overmydeadbody · 14/12/2008 17:48

I have found the best way to deal with it is to view homework as non-compulsory, extra stuff that DS can do if it takes his fancy. Luckily his techer has the same view, long may it last.

andlipsticktoo · 14/12/2008 17:49

Homework for dc at secondary school however.. I know it is important, but for me this is far more stressful.

Getting my ds1 to plan huge projects, and do it bit by bit rather than leaving it til the night before it is due in, is driving me insane!

stillenacht · 14/12/2008 17:51

Yes i am not looking forward to my DS1 getting to secondary age for that reason

The homework we set at KS4 (for Music) and KS5 is important - at KS3 i don't tend to set homework in music bar learning unusual instrumental spellings and maybe the odd project here and there - its v pointless in my subject - i would rather they came to choir or band/orchestra

Original poster
TheBrayingBanshee · 14/12/2008 17:52

Lipstick, it is important up to a point but how much homework do secondary school children actually need as well? They also havelong days and need down time and I bet the teachers wold rather spend time planning lessons than marking pages of work. At secondary homework should be about quality not quantity. However, my dc not at secondary yet so maybe I am talking crap.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheBrayingBanshee · 14/12/2008 17:53

My spelling mistakes are the result of sleep deprivation and not from having been given too little homework as a kid

OP posts:
piscesmoon · 14/12/2008 17:58

I think it should be reading only. However they get homework because parents, on the whole, want it!

Original poster
TheBrayingBanshee · 14/12/2008 18:04

really piscesmoon, now I am even more hacked off. Who are these parents? And which species of idiot are they?

OP posts:
Reallytired · 14/12/2008 18:14

I agree with you, as a lot of homework is totally unproductive and a waste of time. It really annoys that a teacher gives the same homework to an entire class whether the child has learning difficulties or is gifted and talented.

I think that reading, learning tables or spellings is useful in primary school.

However a lot of homework is just set to please inspectors/ parents. It does nothing to take the child's learning forward.

Even a lot of homework in pointless at secondary school. The school I work at sets homework for PE fgs. like erm... its no wonder kids have less time for physical activity.

piscesmoon · 14/12/2008 19:01

If the teacher gives differentiated homework they are piling on the work for themselves!
Any school meeting I have been to has been divided between those who think they get too much and those who think they don't get enough-there is always an argument.

RubberDuck · 14/12/2008 19:03

This is the point where I join in your screams of frustration and then link to my friend's petition:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to launch an investigation into the practice of schools giving out excessive formal homework.

The person who set up the petition is a teacher herself and is finding it increasingly annoying how much is piled on young children to the detriment of pursuing family activities and other interests.

moondog · 14/12/2008 19:05

I do it ,and more because I konw the school is not teaching my kids what they need to know.

RubberDuck · 14/12/2008 19:06

Oh and I'd love to treat ds1's homework as non-compulsory (Y3), but if he doesn't hand it in (and I have to sign it to say I've seen it too, ffs) then he gets a written warning then has to miss lunchtime break to catch up.

He's SEVEN YEARS OLD - makes me so very very angry.

wrinklytum · 14/12/2008 19:06

I agree,especially for the littlest ones reception/yr 1 + 2.Barking.I am sure the teachers would prefer to be without it,too

edam · 14/12/2008 19:08

signed!

Parents who demand homework in primary - beyond the basics of spellings and times tables - are muppets IMO.

peanutbutterkid · 14/12/2008 19:09

At what point what homework and how much, in the majority of MN, should be set?

DS is Y4, gets timetables, spellings, and some simple writing (using his spellings). And he MOANS!! like it's the end of the world. Even if I time him and prove it only took him 5 minutes to do the writing (everything else can be done orally on the school run), he still insists it's "too much".

I shudder to think how he'll manage at secondary, if this is too much in Y4.

Reallytired · 14/12/2008 19:12

"If the teacher gives differentiated homework they are piling on the work for themselves!"

As maybe, but its better than making a gifted child bored stupid, or even worst demoralising a summer born child who does not yet have the physical motor skills to write.

If homework is deemed important it should be set and planned properly like any other eductional activity. Otherwise it should be banned.

piscesmoon · 14/12/2008 19:16

I don't think that teachers want to give homework at all! Primary schools never used to give it-it came with parental pressure.

pagwatch · 14/12/2008 19:18

I have a policy of peaceful non compliance that has served me well.

I never ever help with homework.
DCs can read to me and i will read spellings for them to practice then that is it.

My theory is that if the child cannot do it unaided then they should not have been given it.

It has worked really well so far.
Ds1 is 15 and doing his GCSE's so he clearly wasn't hindered.

If all parenrts did that then.......