Homework?

[stitched]

My son is in year 4 (9 years old)and gets little if no homework from school!
I have been doing 20 mins (in all) each night of maths, english and a little verbal reasoning as I feel he should be a little more challanged.
Is this too much? What does everybody else do?

The school can't please everyone. There'll always be some who want more and those who think a small amount is too much.

I like homework simply as it gives me a chance to see what ds knows and if his concentration is improving etc etc. I like talking and doing practical and fun things also.

I don't think you are doing too much with him. Does your son think it's too much?
My son always groans, but is fine as soon as he gets stuck in. He's also used to it by now.

teacherwith2kids, that's a really helpful post, especially the distinction between
CAN'T do something (as in some barrier to learning appears to exist) and NOT BEEN TAUGHT IT but pick it up very nimbly

Dear PastSellByDate
I just wanted to say that I think everyone is giving you a rather unfairly hard time. It sounds to me like your children's school is failing them in a totally unacceptable way and that you are doing your best to make up for the school's shortcomings at home. Something you shouldn't have to do but life is not always perfect. If I was you, I would be doing exactly the same.
My own son's school (he is in Y1) takes a fairly traditional route in teaching methods - reading every night, some homework and spellings every week. From my experience this is extremely positive. My son really enjoys this work at home and I feel more involved with what he is learning as a result of this constant dialogue between my son, me and his teacher. I do not view this at home learning as an imposition at all and neither does my son. So in response to earlier comments that spelling lists etc serve no purpose, I would definitely disagree on this. They have definitely improved my son's vocabulary and written work.

Dear all:

Look there is more than one way to crack a nut.

I think the problem is that I feel had we had that practice time early on with school homework I wouldn't have had the shock of understanding in Y2 that my DD was floundering. Because we read about once a week and that was it - and there was no comment, suggestions or pressure (you really need to work on X Mrs. XXXX with your DD1) I had absolutely no clue things were as bad as they were. That's why I feel homework helps. It forces Mum or Dad to stop and look at what has been assigned, determine if they need to help or if DC can just get on, maybe discuss it a bit and generally tune in to what DC is learning/ doing. That's what I value about homework.

Thanks MumNW3 for support & I also heartily agree - memorizing spelling words not hugely important - but in terms of vocabulary it's fabulous. School does not require it but both DDs write out words in sentences. We've started a game whereby they try to use as many words as they can in one sentence. It helps us to discuss grammar and meaning (sometimes multiple meanings) of words. This is done over about 1/2 hour over a snack & drink and in a relaxed way when spellings come home. The rest of the week we quickly review spellings - but probably on the walk to school or something.

What I don't like about spellings is when they come home one week on Monday and the next on Thursday - but the test remains Friday regardless. Hopefully that's just our school.

Thanks all for comments - pro & against - I've found it very useful.

*pastSellByDate

just come back to this thread and wanted to reply to you. You do realise I was talking about the students not myself.
I'm fine about working at home and consider marking an essential part of the job and I'm paid to do so.
I was making a comment about young children having to work in the evenings/ holidays. Sorry if the comment came across wrong.
(as you can see I don't often come on here as I'm generally working in the evenings till late otherwise I may have read your reply earlier!)