Sufficient Y5 homework?

[Spry]

Would I be unreasonable to ask the school to set more challenging maths homework for my Y5 twins? They both got full marks in their Y4 times table check and yet the only maths homework they - and all their classmates - are ever set is to re-revise their times tables. This week, they're supposed to be revising the four times table (which is on the Y3 curriculum I believe). A couple of weeks ago, it was the 10 times table for goodness sake. The only other homework they get is to learn 10 spellings.

Bump

Some skills take a attitude that homework is ‘catch up’ for those not reaching the expected standard. I think it’s the case here. Obsolutely ask them. Our school provides a quadrant of tasks starting with reception - some writing, some maths, some more practical, etc. They can choose to do one or more of these tasks as parents have different views on the amount of homework.

Another bump.

Have you looked at the school's homework policy? It will tell you what is expected and the school attitude to it

would you be unreasonable to tell the teacher how to do their job?
How do you think that will go down?

Thank you for suggesting this. I've now done so and can see that the homework being set is exactly what is specified in the policy. However, the policy also says that the work should be "challenging" and about "consolidating" what is learnt in the classroom. It feels as though getting Y5 and Y6 kids merely to go over work they covered in Y2 and Y3 is unlikely to be challenging to many of them. So it feels to me as though the whole homework policy is the problem...

I know that my kids' teachers are very hardworking, skilled, caring professionals. I like and respect them. However, I just don't get what they're trying to achieve with the homework they set. I'd like to be able to explain my concerns, hear their response and - if appropriate- request changes but - of course - I'd always do so courteously.

Can't you just do extra work with them? I'm not sure why you need the school to set it. I always buy workbooks for my children's school year and do extra work with them.

Studies have been done that show homework at primary level makes no difference to students' attainment. I would be happy my kids have more time for clubs, socialising, hobbies and just general down time. But if you really want them to do more work there are hundreds of workbooks available online and in book shops.

Thank you for your reply. I think I'd rather my kids had no homework than being asked to spend their time on what feels like pointless homework.

Your kids are old enough to know if they are being set extra homework on top of what their classmates get - and they’re likely to work out it’s because you asked.

That would go down pretty badly with my DC, don’t know about yours.

Why not set them extra stuff yourself if you’re concerned? Plenty of maths workbooks and websites out there.

You're right but I suppose I'd just prefer it if the work I did with them precisely aligned with what they'd been covering that week in class. My daughter finds maths quite hard (though she's worked hard at her tables and really knows them). She's been coming home upset that she's struggled to understand what she's been taught in class and actively asks me to help her. It's not always clear from talking to her what she's been learning. I've tried finding the scheme of work they're following on the internet but it's mostly behind a paywall.

My dd had similar for maths, the homework was mainly about speed recall at this stage so the aim was to be able to complete all the times table facts in a random order within 10 seconds.

also doing them backwards so you tell them it’s the 8 times table and shout out “64… 32 …” etc and the have to give you the right multiple of 8.

have you done factorising with them?That’s one way to spice it up a bit. (What are all the times tables facts that give you a result of 48, for example).

you can also extend to do tables up to 15 if that’s of interest (we didn’t, but it can be handy).

My dd’s other homework was mostly spellings, reading and creative writing. It was plenty’. She aced her SATS and is now tracking 8 and 9 in her secondary school subjects.

if your kids want to do more stuff there’s heaps on bbc bitesize you can dig into.

Thank you. These are great suggestions.

Sounds typical. Then you'll get to Year 6 and the school (in panic) for SATS will push them all ridiculously!

You're right but I suppose I'd just prefer it if the work I did with them precisely aligned with what they'd been covering that week in class.

have a look at white rose maths. They do work books that align with the curriculum, so they are split up into spring term block 1, spring term block2 etc. it might not be perfect (I’m in wales so it doesn’t match up as well) but it would maybe help.

@Spry your original post was about wanting more challenging work, but now you've mentioned that your DD finds maths quite hard and would benefit from extra practice at what they've been learning in class that week, it definitely seems reasonable for you to contact the teacher. It's not so much about more homework as about being able to support your child to consolidate the learning in class.

I would just buy a CPG workbook or something. The teacher might have suggestions. Or have them focus more on reading for pleasure in addition to math workbooks.

If you're desperate for them to do some extra work at home, you can buy workbooks or sign up to online maths programmes.

Don't make extra work for the teacher.

This is what our Y5's have had for math homework the past two weeks.
They do times table practice at home weekly as well.

They also get weekly English homework, plus spellings and reading.

I don't know what is normal as I have nothing to compare it to, but it can feel like a lot to keep on top of between all the after school activities.

If they already know their tables, surely there actually is no homework?

Friend's DC in a private school was getting an hour a night of homework in Year 5, and 2 hours a day in holidays. So I'd be careful what you wish for.

There are no benefits to primary homework other then reading. It's just set to appease complaining parents like yourself. They are your children if you want them to learn extra maths outside of school you teach them.

Easier way is type in 'greater depth challenges equivalent fractions' or whatever topic your kids say they learnt that week. Loads of great, difficult and more importantly free stuff comes up

This is why Mumsnet is so useful! It feels almost unanimous on here that I shouldn't be asking the teachers to set more appropriate homework. So I won't.

Thanks to a suggestion upthread, I've now found the parents' worksheets on the White Rose website. That happens to be the scheme my kids' school does anyway so they're exactly what I was after - work we can do together at home that directly corresponds to what's being taught in school.

Thanks everyone!

If you want them to do more maths, just pop to WHSmith and buy them a workbook each. There are plenty available. It's not the norm for primary schools to set lots of homework, not least because they would then have to mark it. Your children are having an hour of maths per day at school already. Do you feel that they need to do more on top of that?