Homework?

[PoppetUK]

Should it be completed independently. We've done stuff over the weekend (meant toddler didn't nap and give us time to concentrate on homework) so left DC to attempt it after school today. How much input is expected from parents? She had to do a book review and is in year 2. I expected her to be able to use correct punctuation but it wasn't there. I went through it with her afterwards in between making sure the other two were sharing nicely. I hated every minute of dividing myself up and I hated every minute of doing homework with my other child last night. I know I'm tired exhausted so that doesn't help but I feel like I'm having to teach them when they are doing their homework. Any thoughts? Thanks

My DD is 12 and still needs some support when doing HW and she gets tonnes of it. My DS is 8 and can complete the maths HW he gets alone.
I guess some work can be done without support whereas other HW will need support from someone at home.

Does the school offer a HW club?

I'm not sure but a homework club would be great. I shall ask. I think I need to get my head around it and perhaps set up homework time. The thing I'm finding is that each child needs about 45 mins to 1 hour each week for homework where I help. Reception child is too young to do it on his own. DD can do it on her own but then I think she needs my help to raise the standard she is putting in to benefit from it (or she could turn it in as it is) Thanks for your reply

Give her pointers, Poppet, and hints, but don't do too much, and let her hand in something that you think could be better. As an aside, a friend of mine was politely told off by the teachers for basically doing her DD's homework; needless to say she was

Thanks lovecheese. I play that whole mother's guilt card because I can't do it with her. I start thinking I am letting her down because I don't seem to have enough time or space from my younger boys. I totally get that I have to find a way of getting her to take some responsibility for her learning and progress without just leaving it to chance or mummy always encouraging. I've got to trust a little more that she's bright enough to do well without me overseeing every little bit of her learning! I certainly need to stop putting so much pressure on myself. Perhaps it's going to take me a little longer to find a balance for both of us. I'm going to try and be a little more realistic about what our family can and can't do. To be honest I've got to hold on to some of our other values and not let the school / homework thing take over too much. Thanks again. I always appreciate any feedback. xx

Poppet - my DS is 7 and in Year 2. Book Review homework can be a nightmare ! Are your kids at at prep?

When we started doing book reviews, I used to help by basically talking about what the book was about. I would get him to tell me what he thinks he should write and then correct. The trick is to let her think of it as a summary, that she doesnt need to write everything.

After a few tries, I got him to do his own review and then we go through it together correcting spellings and pancuation. It is so much easier now - we do 2 a week!

I also think that its easier for DS to do a review on a book that he has actually enjoyed so he now knows how to chose a book from the school library.

My DD is in yr1 so homework is still small tasks, but I'm trying to let her do more on her own where possible - stop myself helping/correcting things as much and offer help when she asks/struggles.

Don't beat yourself up over it - we all have the guilt whether it's about lack of time due to other children needing us or whatever else. It's tricky finding the balance, I'd just try to give her a few pointers, then maybe sit her at the kitchen table while you do something else with the little ones and encourage her to ask you if she needs.

I'm a teacher and it's pretty obvious when there's been too much parent input in their DC's homework. I understand that lots of parents like to help but there's a difference between helping and doing. I tell the parents that if their DC can't do something I'd prefer they left it undone and that the parents sent me a note explaining that their DC didn't understand it and then I go over it with them in school.

Homework is for going over and practicing things the kids have already done at school so if they can't do it the teacher needs to know. They should never have to do anything new at home before they've done it really well in school. It's the teacher's job to teach them.

I also tell them that if they have more than one thing to do they should always start with the more difficult activity.

Also the amount of time that children spend on their homework depends on their age and ability but it should never eat too much into family time and if you think your DC is spending too much time on homework I think you should mention it to his teacher.

i like to leave my year 1 dd to do her homework herself, which is normaly fine. Some times she may need a little bit of guidance and help seeing how to work things out, i i would never tell her the answers only help her come to the answer on her own, iyswim. But there is no point satnding over her and telling her what to write and her not having a clue what its about.