Homework - Year 1 & 2

[babysbreath]

When my dc has homework, I sit down with them and explain what they have to do. I then help them work out the correct answer to complete their homework. So when it comes back marked by the teacher they always get good comments on how well they have done and understood what was required of them.

When your dc have homework do you do the same? Or do you sometimes let them put down what answer they think is correct?

I am worried that the teacher is not getting a true idea of how I really struggle sometimes with dc on their homework!!

My DS is in yr3 and my DD is in reception but tbh I do let them get on with their homework themselves really...

DD needs an explanation of what she has to do and then she does it by herself (but tbh this is because she insists on doing it herself!!)

I think there is nothing wrong with helping them with their homework at this stage but is there anywhere to write at the bottom any feedback from you (ie DD needed help with question X but did question Y with no help)??

I would say at that age it's fine to help them - in fact it may even deeper their understanding.

A way to address your concern would be to note down with the homework any particular difficulties that your child had and that'll help the teacher build a more accurate picture.

I would LOVE the parents of the children I teach to be this involved and thats what I do with my own dd.

Hope that helps :-)

I create a space and all they need.
They read it. If they don't understand we read it together.
If they need help they ask and I give it.

If they have needed a lot of help (not just a nudge but proper explanation and some time understanding it) then I give the help but put a note on the bottom saying they they needed a lot of help.

You sound great. Only thing I would suggest is to give a bit of space for them to try and read it themselves, or if not at that stage then to read it to them and give space for them to work it out independently.

Thank you for your replies. I think I will start to write down at the bottom of their homework if they struggled on certain points.

We have a good system for maths where we circle the question number if we helped. A discreet way of doing it, seems to work!

I expect them to get on with it by themselves and I only help if asked to do so. (and then the bare minimum).

[though my child is a good reader. IF they couldn't read the instructions, I would read them aloud, but not explain any further]

DD2's school have a homework folder. There is a feedback sheet glued to the inside, with each week's homework listed. There are three evaluation questions. One is 'how much did you enjoy this homework', another is 'how easy did you find this homework' - these have stars and faces the children can circle. The third area is for parents to comment on the homework.

I think it can be quite helpful for the teacher if parents give feedback. For instance, DD2 had to draw something she was proud of being able to do. She wanted to draw a bike, but had lots of tears because she couldn't draw an exact representation of her own bike, and couldn't remember what the trigger for her bell looked like exactly.

DD2 is quite like this in every area, so it's useful for the teacher to know that she is struggling with imperfection and generalisation a bit.

errrr, DS's (Y1) homework is very simple and generally creative so there is a lot of room for them to do it how they like. DS often adds extra illustrations .