Question for teachers re homework and children being off school ill.

[Buda]

DS is 6.5 and in Yr 2.

He missed almost 2 weeks before half term and 3 days this week though illness. He came home yesterday with pages of homework - some of the content of which is obviously stuff he missed while he was off sick so he hasn't a clue.

I have a bit of an issue with homework for his age group tbh so am not sure if I am over-reacting but I think it is daft to give him homework on things he hasn't done. Demoralising for him and frustrating for me!

Also have an issue with the amount of homework and may mention that - I know a lot of parents feel the same and I am class rep so will tackle that sepatately.

So - should I expect the teacher to try to cover what has gone on or should I expect him to get on with it?

Also slightly irritated as one of the questions is about graphs and he has to count the red doors etc. Fine and easy except it is in black & white!

i am a secondary teacher but i can tell you what i do...

i will not reteach a lesson but i will give the student resources/access to resources that will cover whatever was missed. i will set some sort of task which will allow the student to practise the new skill that they have learned - this is not necessarily the same as homework that the rest of the class has done. I will happily spend time with the student after they have gone through the resources to answer questions etc.

i do this because it is demoralising to come back after an absence only to recieve a sheaf of paper and be expected to get on with it whilst still working on the current work

i agree a black and white sheet with references to coloured stuff is pants

a revision guide might have a good short summary of the topics missed, your local library will probably have some. you don't need the latest edition, just something from the last 3 years or so.

I think it is a bit bonkers in Y2 but there you go!
I would go and have a word with the teacher. in your shoes, I would get him to have a go at the bits he can do, and ignore the rest. I can't imagine what a 6 yo can have missed in two weeks that requires extra homework.

Extra homework is bonkers.

I would help him do the stuff he can't do though. Because I wouldn't want him not to be able to do it. And I can't imagine it's anything too major in Y2.

please ignore everything i just said i think i quite forgot a y2 is only 6 years old

Does the teacher definitely want him to do all the work he missed or is she letting you know what he has missed in case you can help with some of it?

I would speak to the teacher and ask if it is important that you try to do one of the sheets with him.

A teacher cannot go over what has been missed with children who have been off sick.

My DS (12) is off sick and his teachers email him stuff through the school email system, but stress that he is NOT to stress about it - just do what he can when he feels like it.

School have also given him a timetable of half days for when he is ready (No PE, Music, Drama, Art, Tech etc). They are being really great.

It's ok chibi - I sort of thought you did!

I have just spoken to a friend whose DS is in the same class and she said that she was unhappy about the amount of homework they got over half-term. 12 pages. Which is exactly what we have so I think it is the half-term homework we got. Ludicrous. Will let him have a go at what he can and we will leave the rest.

Will be chatting to other parents to see if they want me to raise the amount of homework.

Got his report tonight too. Excellent so am not worrying!