Is there a way of handling lack of homework?

[PastSellByDate]

Dear all:

I'm well known here for grumbling about unimaginative and limited homework at DDs' school. Thus my hesitation to go into battle yet again about lack of homework. So I'd like to explain our situation and see what you Mumsnetters think about this:

Since Gove announced that he was removing guidance on homework our school has been 'reviewing' their homework policy. We parents received a letter in September saying that they were reviewing what homework would be offered and that spelling would move from a weekly list of words to more investigative work (i.e. making words verbs or adjectives, learning rules for certain groups of words - i.e. -ough words), etc... They also announced that there would be a parent/ staff meeting one evening (which was well attended) to discuss what parents wanted from homework and what the schools views on homework were (that was nearly 2 months ago).

It's the last week of term and still absolutely nothing from the school about what their homework policy will be.

Both DDs get a maths sheet (~10 minutes work, if that) and regularly get library books to read from school. No written work (writing a review, a letter, etc...). No topical work: researching a historical period, learning more about a topic, etc... And no investigative spelling work - unforutnately.

The school is proposing a grid (5 x 5) with options for homeworks which are entirely optional for each child to do - but children would get a merit for completing 5 a month. Each month a new grid would be issued.

Am I being unreasonable (AIBU) to think this shouldn't be taking so long?

Are other teachers/ schools struggling to come up with homework policy like ours?

Are schools opting to offer less homework now that government guidance on homework is removed?

Thanks for any input - I'm really struggling not to complain - but I'm completely astounded this is so difficult to organise.

Haven't read whole thread, so apologies if something similar has already been said, and afraid I've nothing to add on time taken to come up with homework policy... I am not very clued up on national homework policy or views generally, can only share our experience: due to relocation DS1 (Y3) and DD (Y1) recently moved from a large state primary with very strong academic reputation, lots of pressure and masses of homework (which was our only experience of primary schooling since our own, so thought it was normal) to a small village school - with none. Literally, nothing for Y3 at all. They are expected to read and learn their spellings, but I mean no writing/research/project tasks. I was initially a little concerned, but accepted the teacher's explanation that there are varying levels of parental support at home (so presumably they cover all key learning in school) and that they've 'seen the detrimental effects it can have'. Well, that certainly struck a chord: DS1 and I both in tears on numerous occasions over endless holiday homework projects and timed maths tests leading up to SATs last year. So I have just backed off, just letting him read, write stories, listen to audio CDs, play with DD and DS2 and/or do his own thing after school (whilst quietly battling ongoing concerns that, being naturally prone to choosing the easy path in life, he will become complacent). However, my point is that what I have been intrigued to notice just these past couple of weeks is that he has started actually asking for little challenges at home himself. Like tonight asking me for five random words, so that he could write a short story including them all. Or asking me to design him a crossword, or a wordsearch, or a word puzzle (three words with same first letter missing, he has to guess what it is). He hasn't yet asked to research any topic material, but I am now hopeful that homework will become more about the love of learning than a chore. And something we can actually enjoy together, rather than fighting over. OK, maybe 'enjoy' is a bit strong - but I am (almost) converted!

Thanks rabbitonthemoon

Very helpful to have a teacher's view on this and I think you've hit the nail on the head. At the start of each term the school is full of plans and enthusiasm and with each passing weak it dissipates and becomes more chaotic.

The school gives all teachers 1 afternoon off a week and they also miss a day or two each year for training (having substitutes in for that).

In terms of Jungle Book - we've just opted to download it to our Kindle and read it over Christmas to our girls. A chapter a night. We'll get the eldest (Y5) to do a fair bit of reading and see how it goes for our youngest (Y3 & uncertain if this will be too difficult).

STAFF changes: One teacher has retired and a new male teacher has been hired (he was formerly a secondary teacher, so very experienced).

really?

Past....

Other than the specifics (Jungle book for eg) your school sounds exactly the same as ours.

Hilarious thing was they sent home a "home school agreement" with each child the other week. The school commits to abc and parents must sign to commit xyz. They don't do the things they commit to so it's not worth the paper it was printed on.

They did annual parent feedback questionaire a couple of months back which prompted them to have to send the results of last years out. I know I put "disagree" for a Q last yr yet it didn't show any "disagrees" to that Q. They had for the first time given results by percentage so I guessed maybe by rounding down they lost my disagree (possibly true) but when I mentioned discreetly to a few of other parents there were quite a few "disagrees" not published!

This term they really promised after a shaky start for yr 5/6 they would get weekly maths homework plus weekly literacy plus weekly spellings. They even told the class that this "was to get them into good routine and practise for High School". We did have over a month of all of those but zilch for the last four weeks! My daughter even bought with her pocket money gorgeous paper in paperchase to cover her new homework book when it was given with this commitment. She's had it back twice since Sept and has been with her teacher over a months now.

Some homework ideas for the jungle book:

Spelling animal names
Making simple/compound/complex sentences using Kip as the object
Timeline of the history of India
Museum visit
Playing Kim's game to improve memory skills
Units- how many miles to India/kilometres/etc
Units- how large are animals- use your DC as a unit? How many DC tall is an elephant?
Art- drawing the Taj Mahal

Any of these tickle your fancy?

Hi mrz:

Hey I'm just quoting the school - we've been told our NQT primary teacher is actually a former secondary school teacher and "highly experienced."

Kids seem to like him - it's been a culture change as he has definitely clamped down on the noise and rowdy behaviour. For the first time in 3 years, DD1 is not coming home with headaches because of the noise in the classroom, so we're pleased. She's happy and doesn't seem to be regularly demeaned by a teacher - so again we're happy. When she was ill she wasn't forced to go outside in the rain this year (so the man seems immenently sensible to me). We have no real expectation of learning taking place during school day - so no disappointment. Anything is a bonus frankly.

-------

OhfunnyFRANKENface

Where do you teach and can we move there? Brilliant ideas and yes we will try some on for size.

Great idea about Kim's game - had completely forgotten about that myself and had to refresh my memory. Link here if anyone else is interested: www.gmbservices.ca/Jr/KimGame.htm. Think DD1 would enjoy it too and given this awful weather wonderful timing as I can see we're going to run out of things to do once the Christmas festivities pass us by.

Many thanks OfFf what a lovely Christmas present.

I love Mumsnet!

Ah I'm glad you like them!

I teach secondary English- so no good for you at the moment!

It sounds like the teacher is making changes, hopefully some structured homework will appear soon. It must be very frustrating to know your child is being short changed with regards to their education. I'm so happy I work somewhere that strives to give students the best deal.

Let me know if you ever want spelling lists/homework ideas! The 100s of resources on my computer have to come in handy sometime!

Oh I also thought! Could you try making batique material pictures? That is a good indoor fun activity.

Also- Indian words in the English language, how many can she find out.

And Indian desserts...the best things ever! Easy cooking for the two of you to do!

"we've been told our NQT primary teacher is actually a former secondary school teacher and "highly experienced."

Well NQT means Newly Qualified so I'm not sure how they can be "highly experienced" when they are in their first year of teaching and secondary experience is very different to primary (just ask any primary teacher about the difference just between FS/KS1/KS2)

Possibly has been teaching unqualified in secondary/abroad/has relevant non-classroom experience.

OhfunnyFRANKENface

Great idea on Indian words in English! We'll use that.

DH has suggested we go out for a curry (we're meeting up with friends over Christmas to see a film and were trying to decide where to eat afterward). DD2 has only had school dinner version - so she's very excited to be going to 'a proper restaurant' & DH has been tipped off about a good one.

Grandma has suggested talking about spices - especially cinnamon - which we use so heavily during Christmas.

Yes, some schools are homework bonkers talk of doing 1 to 4 hours nightly.

Pleased to read that research shows it is not beneficial for primary school
children . (Come on Heads play the game.)

Max Nottingham on Iain Duncan Smith policy

I didn't set any homework other than reading for my Y1 class and received a number of complaints from some parents asking for written homework

I don't know why anyone would want primary pupils to have homework - am with those who think it's pointless.

Personally I think the time is better used reading, drawing, playing or otherwise having some unstructured time to actually use as they please.

I am afraid I am in favour. Gentle academic reinforcement at home (of the right sort/focus and for short periods of time) pays dividends IMO. Our top sets are almost exclusively populated by children who have parents who've helped instill good work habits and who make sure they do extra work outside school. It doesn't need to be laborious, dull or overly long but targeted practice can add tremendous value IMO.

jessjessjess - I think there are many who've responded who agree with you and personally I would be agreeing with you but our children do not attend the type of school which is doing its job well. When we joined this primary children regularly were in 90th percentile Y6 KS2 SATs since 2009 (2010 results withheld) it's been

mrz:

DDs in Y3 and Y5 - so agree Y1 is slightly different and I personally wasn't seeking homework in Y1.

However, may I ask you this.

What do you give by way of maths practice in Y1. DD1 received endless photocopies of cars, trains, caterpillars, etc... and was asked to colour them in using 3 - 5 colour crayons in as many patterns as she could think of.

There was never any calculations (4 + 5 or 5 - 3) with numerals.

I do wonder - looking back at Year 1 when we realised friends with children of a similar age at other school which were giving games and homework with actual mathematical problems (as well as visual maths - 4 ladybirds + 6 ladybirds = 10 ladybirds) whether I should have been more questioning. We did enquire but were promised things would pick up in Year 2. Unfortunately, they didn't.

I take your point mrz on Year 1 - some children are still very young and in many contries would not be in formal education - however, I do rather feel DD1 didn't get off to a good start and because we trusted the school we let it ride until late Year 2.

Would you as a teacher communicate to a parent that their DC just doesn't get subtraction and you'd appreciate a bit of help supporting that learning at home?

You know the backstory mrz - we did approach the school for help and were given the unabridged National Curriculum and told the school works to that. They refused to recommend workbooks or games and just left us to it.

What would you have done in their place?

Am I wrong as a parent to want my child to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide with facility by the end of Y6? I ask this because the school have made it very clear this is outrageous of me to expect.

All the research suggests that primary homework is ineffectual PSBD regardless of the age of the child and if a school isn't doing it's job during school hours why suppose they will be any better at setting useful homework?

As a parent I would have looked for a different school

I really do not see the need for school set homework before senior school. Frankly i might refuse dd to do it. What I do see as useful is study with parent time, so doing own word lists, reading etc.

Why does everyone have to be prescribed what to do? It's daft. I get it for certain poorer children in care or finance situations. Otherwise it's lack of imagination or time isn't it? So how does a list from school deal with that? Doesn't it just encourage lying quicker? ( dog ate it miss....)

Just get on with it urself?

An interesting point of view LaCiccolina, considering historically homework (prep) has always been very much a feature of independent and public schools

We all hated UK primary school homework. Just a huge battle all round for very little benefit. Reading that ds hated, spellings he screamed about, projects that were a total grind. Just painful really. In no way whatsoever did it 'instill a love of learning'.

Then we moved to New York and realised we'd had it easy as they set two hours every single day (kids were 7 and 8). The only plus point is that it was every day and very regimented. Only possible as I wasn't working, and only tolerable as we needed to help the children adapt. But very high pressure, and unsustainable.

Now we live in Canada and there is no primary homework, and it's great. The children only bring home work they've not finished or where they want to do extra. No parental input required. ds has started high school and sometimes brings home work to finish and he does it willingly as part of being that little bit more grown up and responsible. I really don't believe that he would have had that attitude if we'd have had 5 more years of the UK homework battles.

Well, Hamish I'll give you a personal anecdote in trade for a personal anecdote - my two very top set DDs got little homework in primary and a good thing too - and we didn't set them academic work ourselves either. They've still managed to develop good study habits, oddly enough.

Of course if you're talking about things other than worksheets I have no issue with that at all - reading to your children, taking them to museums, eating at the table as a family and having conversations, playing daft word and number games in the car - all fine.

Workbooks from WH Smith and the like - not so much.

All you mention, Pointy, plus brief, targeted work to address specific weaknesses & help consolidation. I've seen too many capable children fail the exams at 11 plus as parents did no prep etc too but perhaps that's entirely different?

Fully agree that time consuming craft project type work which adds little value is largely pointless.. I live in Asia where enrichment programmes of all sorts are popular. School typically ends earlier - just the basics are taught - & the real learning & consolidation typically happens outside school. Some classes are fun & popular & teach cognitive thinking skills.