Should parents be expected to mark their child's homework?

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StressedQueen · 21/10/2024 18:17

The teachers mark the homework at my children's school. I don't think it takes that long at all for primary work?? I mean I reckon the parent has a responsibility to make sure their child understands the work and isn't just writing random things but actually marking it is always for the teacher. The children never stay in to mark their own work, I find that silly.

TeenToTwenties · 21/10/2024 18:17

Seems a bit strange.
How will the parents know if it is right?

Or is this a parallel to signing a reading book?

PrettyYellow30 · 21/10/2024 18:18

Polomints · 21/10/2024 18:14

Just that really. And if they don't mark it, should the child stay in at lunchtime to mark their own work?

No they shouldn't! I don't mark my daughters she's in year 3, that's the teachers job, not the parents.

mikado1 · 21/10/2024 18:19

Do you mean correct the child if they get something wrong and ask them to re-do it? I would say no. Teacher should want to see how the child has done themselves, otherwise it's meaningless. Definitely not a punishable situation.

Greaterthanthesumoftheparts · 21/10/2024 18:20

We’ve been specifically asked not to mark or correct homework. The teacher wants to see what they can and can’t do independently.

FragileWookiee · 21/10/2024 18:20

Our primary school expects us to mark their homework. I never have. In my opinion if the teachers haven't got time to mark it it shouldn't be set.
The children have been known to mark each other's maths homework before aswel, the teacher just calls out the answers for them.

Singleandproud · 21/10/2024 18:22

Most parents can't do their child's homework so certainly can't mark it. Particularly maths where parents may know the answer but won't be familiar with the technique taught.

Original poster

Polomints · 21/10/2024 18:22

Thanks for replies, this is as I suspected. This happened to my son and som children in his class today because parents hadn't marked the maths homework. I'm a primary teacher myself and wouldn't dream if expecting this of parents! It could really stress some parents out. I just wanted another perspective from others, I thought I was possibly being a bit dramatic being annoyed this happened.

OP posts:

arethereanyleftatall · 21/10/2024 18:22

Primary age? So, what 10 or so simple maths questions for example?

It isn't a bad idea tbh. The parent is presumably hanging about somewhere near anyway, it'll take them one minute rather than 30 minutes for the teacher.

Then, they're right there to help them if they need it.

But no, if a parent doesn't have time, I don't think the child should effectively be punished to do it during their break.

FuzzyGoblin · 21/10/2024 18:23

We mark homework but it’s mainly in CDG books which have the answers and calculations in the back.

Legomania · 21/10/2024 18:34

I did up until Y3 last year when they changed the format of the homework as it was easy enough to work out instantly. Not that anyone ever looked at it I wouldn't have done it if it was aimed at older children and I had to work it all out myself. And certainly some parents at our school would really struggle with it

DancingPhantomsOnTheTerrace · 21/10/2024 18:41

Of course children shouldn't be kept in at lunch if their parent doesn't mark their homework.

If asked to, I'd mark my child's homework (I wouldn't be thrilled). Why should a child with a parent who doesn't engage be punished for that? It's like schools which put things like this in place for children where the parents haven't written in their reading diary.

Ponderingwindow · 21/10/2024 18:49

Primary age? Absolutely reasonable to expect parental involvement.

parents checking work gives time to sit down and work through issues the parent discovers with understanding. That way the child doesn’t fall behind.

Don’t most parents do this with maths homework anyway?

Teachers can facilitate by posting answer keys with work shown online for the parents to use as a guide. We have all encountered those strange questions that are just a bit perplexing, even if we have a good grasp of mathematics.

i should add that I don’t think a child should be punished for their parents failing. The teacher should send a note to the parents, but the child should not miss recreation time.

Original poster

Polomints · 21/10/2024 21:54

Ponderingwindow · 21/10/2024 18:49

Primary age? Absolutely reasonable to expect parental involvement.

parents checking work gives time to sit down and work through issues the parent discovers with understanding. That way the child doesn’t fall behind.

Don’t most parents do this with maths homework anyway?

Teachers can facilitate by posting answer keys with work shown online for the parents to use as a guide. We have all encountered those strange questions that are just a bit perplexing, even if we have a good grasp of mathematics.

i should add that I don’t think a child should be punished for their parents failing. The teacher should send a note to the parents, but the child should not miss recreation time.

Edited

I did all the homework with him, I just didn't mark it, as I assumed the teacher would want to do that. They have been given new homework booklets and I wasn't aware we were expected to mark them.

OP posts:

Icedlatteofdreams · 21/10/2024 22:16

I don't expect my children to do any homework in primary so I certainly won't be marking it. They do their reading and occasionally use TT rock stars but I don't expect them to do actual homework.

Original poster

Polomints · 21/10/2024 22:41

I'm going to speak to the teacher tomorrow, thanks all.

OP posts:

BlueChampagne · 22/10/2024 13:08

Teachers should be marking it according to the school's marking policy/standards. No consistency if you hand it over to parents!

OpalTree · 22/10/2024 13:12

No. There was a mum who couldn't read at my kids' primary school, so she wouldn't have been able to.

mm81736 · 31/10/2024 09:15

Homework is supposed to be independent. There's absolutely no point setting it if it's the parent's work!

I actually wonder if there was actually another reason why the op's kid was kept in, but this is what he told his mum

TeenToTwenties · 31/10/2024 10:10

mm81736 · 31/10/2024 09:15

Homework is supposed to be independent. There's absolutely no point setting it if it's the parent's work!

I actually wonder if there was actually another reason why the op's kid was kept in, but this is what he told his mum

There is a gap between independent and parent's work.
I favoured the 1-1 explaining where needed so they understood, adding notes for the teacher indicating help given.
No point handing in a sheet of wrong maths if I could have explained again correct method So they understood it.

mm81736 · 31/10/2024 10:13

No, they should hand in a sheet of wrong maths if that's what they have produced. Otherwise, how will the teacher know they haven't got it!

Comefromaway · 31/10/2024 10:13

arethereanyleftatall · 21/10/2024 18:22

Primary age? So, what 10 or so simple maths questions for example?

It isn't a bad idea tbh. The parent is presumably hanging about somewhere near anyway, it'll take them one minute rather than 30 minutes for the teacher.

Then, they're right there to help them if they need it.

But no, if a parent doesn't have time, I don't think the child should effectively be punished to do it during their break.

Not necessarily. My children often did their homework at afterschool club or their grandparents house. Many might go to a childminders etc.

My sil is dyscalculic so wouldn't have had a clue with maths homework. There are some parents who are unable to read. Many reasons why this is not appropriate.

TeenToTwenties · 31/10/2024 14:56

mm81736 · 31/10/2024 10:13

No, they should hand in a sheet of wrong maths if that's what they have produced. Otherwise, how will the teacher know they haven't got it!

Or, the parent if able, spends some time 1-1 helping the child to get it, and notes that on the homework.
That way the teacher is still aware the child didn't get it first time, but the child has already had a second go to understand it, rather than still leaving them lost.

crumblingschools · 31/10/2024 14:59

I thought most marking is done within class as children learn better from that rather than looking back at corrections in their book from the day before etc

mm81736 · 05/11/2024 12:07

TeenToTwenties · 31/10/2024 14:56

Or, the parent if able, spends some time 1-1 helping the child to get it, and notes that on the homework.
That way the teacher is still aware the child didn't get it first time, but the child has already had a second go to understand it, rather than still leaving them lost.

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Depend if the parent uses the dame method as the school, or sets the child ip for future confusion