Why can't my DD1 put a bit more effort into homework? Am getting so cross with her

[drivinmecrazy]

DD1(9) is in yr4. In class she is in all top sets and doing advanced maths course so i know she is able, but her literacy homework is turning into a joke.
Her spelling is atrocious, and writing all over the place. She has 10 words which she has to copy three times, and then incorporate each word into a sentence.
Checked her homework this morning and she hasn't even spelt the copied out words correctly. Am more frustrated than anything because when I bought the issue up with her teacher he says there is a huge discrepancy between her class work and homework but is not overly concerned. He has suggested to keep her in at playtime to re-do the work if he feels it's not to her expected standard but she just is not concerned.
Am so frustrated when such simple words are being mis-spelt and hand writing ranges from perfect to illegible in the same sentence.
How can I get through to her without it becoming (or continuing to be) a battle ground.

I'd agree a plan with the teacher in terms of them cracking down on it if it's below par, then tell her it's her homework so it's up to her - that she can ask for help if she needs it, but otherwise you're not going to interfere. Only way to stop the battle is to refuse to have it.

She's probably tired after working so hard all day. I'm not surprised she can't be bothered and if I were you I wouldn't worry about it. It won't affect her learning, especially if she's able to do it in class. Seems unfair that she's kept in at playtime for not doing work that she doesn't need to do and is too tired to do. Don't be too hard on her.

That would have been me at school. Worked fairly hard while I was there (nothing else to do) but while at home would have found a million other things more interesting than a boring homework exercise that required writing out words three times and then placing them in a sentence, I would have seen no purpose in it - other than being homework for the sake of it.

Don't know how you convince her maybe make her see the point/value of it - if you can see one.

You've just described my dd. She is very able and works hard at school (mostly), homework is a disaster though. She is careless and doesn't seem to ahve any pride it in what she is doing, the writing is sometimes illegible and she does the bare minimum, if that.
OTOH, i can't see the point of homework

Just a thought ... isn't she getting lots of attention for not being bothered?! Try having nothing to do with her homework (which seems pretty dull for a bright child anyway!), leave her to it and see what happens.

Snap! Sounds like my ds! I try to get him to do his homework done as soon as he comes in from school, and will keep a close (sneaky!) eye that he is trying his best...! (will potter about the kitchen getting dinner ready etc..)

I try to have a focus of something that he can do which he enjoys if he finishes too!

Step back, don't hover, let the school handle it. At this age I think it is very useful to start letting them manage their own negotiations with the outside world.