Junior School, Year 3 - how much independence/work can I expect from my 7 1/2 yo DC?

[gabsid]

DS (7 1/2) just started Y3 in a new school. They have a homework diary where he writes his HW down - I hope.

Every day there seems to be something else to do (parents have a shedule), e.g. Mo spelling sentences, Tue reading, Wed learn spellings, Thu research HW, Fri timestables test and there is a spelling test as well each week.

It all seems to add up to quite a lot of work for a 7yo?

I have always read with DS each day and would like to keep that up. Since Y2 we have done 10-15 min of maths each morning because DS isn't interested and doesn't listen to maths in school, now we include a bit of Xtables revision in that session. In the evening we quickly do the spellings which takes about 3 min. Now we need to find more time to do his spelling sentences (about 13 each week and a piece of reseach HW).

Besides, so far I haven't seen DS's spellings book where he was meant to write spelling sentences. DS doesn't like writing and I assume he has left it in school on purpose. Another mum told me that her DD said that she had done the spelling sentences in the evening while her mum was at work and handed it in the next day - never ever would my DS do any school work without me making him.

What are your experiences/opinions?

That sounds broadly similar to what my DS had to do in Y3. The expectation (from school) is certainly that the child will do the homework on their own with adult involvement only where necessary (e.g. DS's school include regular reading aloud to an adult as homework).

However the school makes its expectations very clear to the children. Children not completing the homework are expected to stay in at lunchtime and complete it and/or lose golden time. On the flip side children who do do their homework get "points" - and collect enough points and you get a prize.

I always have to "remind" DS to do his homework but at least he sees the point of it (if only for the not getting into trouble point of view rather than the intrinsic value :) ). DD is a different child and loves doing homework - she pretty much gets down to it straight from school. No difference in parenting - just different children!

I refuse to do more than just a gentle reminder (I wouldn't constantly nag for example). If DS doesn't do his homework I am happy for him to face the consequences at school.

Ds in yr4 gets a similar amount of homework but almost all is given out on the Friday to be finished by the following Friday so there is some flexibility. the idea that DS would just go off and do a homework sheet without a prompt is laughable.

Thanks, so I do very much hope that he gets into trouble for not bringing home his spelling sentences book - DS hates writing.

DS reads aloud to me every day - he is on Gold level, I think that's just below average, so we need to practice. DS won't read a word for pleasure. I thought just reading with him once a week isn't quite enough.

I would prefer if all work was given out on the same day because it seems to get quite complicated with some given out or due each day, but I think we need to work out a schedule/routine to so DS gets used to doing some work again.

I can't imagine DS doing his HW with just a slight prompt - not yet. But I think in Y4 we will work towards more independence, otherwise I will still be controlling his every move when he is 15.

My DD (almost 4) is very different, very bookish, pretends to read and write, loves drawing and all that sitting down stuff. I can see her just getting on with it.

Hi gabsid:

I agree with redskyatnight - a gentle reminder, a snack/drink, supply of paper and pencil - maybe helping them locate that book, or get onto the computer (I have to enter my password for them to use it) - but that's it. Our deal is homework is down to them. They can ask for help if they're stuck or don't understand (as either me or DH will be about) but that it's their job to get the work done. We try hard to ask them to have the homework done before tv/ games - however we do understand if after school clubs/ play dates/ parties upset that schedule.

In terms of amount - it's much the same as at our school (so 20-30 minutes daily reading + spelling work (~10 minutes a day over the week) + maths work (usually given over the weekend - amounting to 20 - 30 minutes time). We have a reading diary, but this usually was 5 minutes writing about what chapter they were on or what she liked about a book (quite often I forget to remind them to do this, but try to get at least 1 reasonable entry a week - ~ 5 - 10 minutes worth of writing).

HTH

Sounds like a similar amount to my son but he gets his all on Friday as well (to hand in main H/W and reading record the following Wed, spelling test Thurs, Times tables tested Fri I think).

He is quite keen but even so needs to be guided to doing his homework so I don't expect independent work - although he will do maths worksheets / online tasks without me asking. Not anything involving reading or writing though - he reads well but not really for pleasure and hates writing.

My older son (now Y5) was far worse (it's still like pulling teeth to get him to do any homework) but they have a couple of friends who are finishing off homework as their mum gets tea on the table on a Friday evening as they are desperate to get it out of the way, so there is clearly a wide range of normal at this age!

Never would my DS do anything if I gave him a gentle reminder! He would just ignore me. However, I hope that by Y5 we are at the stage that he does it independently. I think 2 weeks into a new school and new system isn't the right time to work on his independence.

Today I finally got to see this illusive spelling book. He has new spellings today, but for last week there are no spelling sentences - I would have hoped the school could make him do it during lunchtime. We will have to do some catch up at home. I just don't want DS to get away with leaving the book at school.