I personally believe it is unnecessary for 1st graders to have so much homework. My son attends Butler and we do (on average) more than an hour each day. Some days we'll do none because of activities and other days we'll do 2 hours worth...
My son is a trooper for the first 20 minutes but then the poor kid looks at me bewildered and says, "Daddy, I just don't understand why I can't just go play with Cooper (his best friend). I already had enough of school today."
I completely agree with him...
A friend who has an education background told me that a large component of it is that teachers are trying to get parents involved. This explains why most days I feel like I am the one being assigned the homework. Much, if not most, of it cannot be done by my son so I do it while doing my best to make it a learning event for him and keep him engaged...
So. Let's hear it. Am I the only one who feels this way? And if not, what can we do about this???
I can only imagine what spring will be like when he has soccer or even worse- when he is in (gasp) second grade!!!
Replies
16
Beach Fanatic
I agree, the homework assignments are excessive. The poor kids need to run and play after being is a classroom most of the day. I don't remember having homework like that until I was in high school.
Kids need a good education, but is a huge workload at home necessary? Homework time at my house was while I was cooking dinner, I would cook and help the kids as needed. Most of the time the kids were not finished and had to finish their homework after dinner. Then the reading assignments!! Evening and weekends to keep up with a book a week.
Some kids fall behind which adds to the homework load. My kids were A,B students. I hate to see them get burn out in elementary school.
Would 45 minutes of homework per night be acceptable?? Including reading assignments. Or, how about expanding the school day another hour so school work can be done in the class room. Reading assignments done at home.
Kids need a good education, but is a huge workload at home necessary? Homework time at my house was while I was cooking dinner, I would cook and help the kids as needed. Most of the time the kids were not finished and had to finish their homework after dinner. Then the reading assignments!! Evening and weekends to keep up with a book a week.
Some kids fall behind which adds to the homework load. My kids were A,B students. I hate to see them get burn out in elementary school.
Would 45 minutes of homework per night be acceptable?? Including reading assignments. Or, how about expanding the school day another hour so school work can be done in the class room. Reading assignments done at home.
Beach Fanatic
That's funny, Geo. I think my high school son has too little homework, and worry that college will overwhelm him.
Beach Fanatic
I don't think any 1st grader should have any homework.
Let the little guys go play outside before they discover video games that destroy all hope of learning any social skills.
Let the little guys go play outside before they discover video games that destroy all hope of learning any social skills.
Banned
I personally believe it is unnecessary for 1st graders to have so much homework. My son attends Butler and we do (on average) more than an hour each day. Some days we'll do none because of activities and other days we'll do 2 hours worth...
My son is a trooper for the first 20 minutes but then the poor kid looks at me bewildered and says, "Daddy, I just don't understand why I can't just go play with Cooper (his best friend). I already had enough of school today."
I completely agree with him...
A friend who has an education background told me that a large component of it is that teachers are trying to get parents involved. This explains why most days I feel like I am the one being assigned the homework. Much, if not most, of it cannot be done by my son so I do it while doing my best to make it a learning event for him and keep him engaged...
So. Let's hear it. Am I the only one who feels this way? And if not, what can we do about this???
I can only imagine what spring will be like when he has soccer or even worse- when he is in (gasp) second grade!!!
It's ridiculous for first graders to have homework. When I was in first grade, we were still learning how to read and write, form letters and such. I don't see how homework could have been possible. I don't remember having homework until 3rd grade. I think that was a good system.
SoWal Guide
Down with homework for kids!!! they can do their work at school for crying out loud. the only homework kids need is at least 30 minutes of reading time with mom or dad. That is the only thing little ones need to do beyond school hours for a long time. we do have to practice a list of spelling during the week - after school - and that takes about 15 minutes. no biggie. If the kid has little bits to do once or twice a week it isn't overwhelming. Or assign the kids an occasional special project to do at home like valentine cards for class friends (something they can really get in to).
I guess that test is more important than after hours recreation and sports, and just plain playing. I know what they need to do with that test, along with the homework.. they need to throw them out, and teach children.
Geo - tell Little Geo I'll march in front of Butler with him if he needs some support.
I guess that test is more important than after hours recreation and sports, and just plain playing. I know what they need to do with that test, along with the homework.. they need to throw them out, and teach children.
Geo - tell Little Geo I'll march in front of Butler with him if he needs some support.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
I agree - 1st graders should be out playing and using their imagination! I don't understand the concept of school after school - especially in 1st grade!
Good luck!
G
Good luck!
G
Beach Fanatic
Well my daughter is in 4th grade at Bay Elementary and she usually has no homework or maybe a half hours worth every night. This is in addition to a half hour of reading she does before bed every night of something for pleasure. I remember at her age the magic in The Hardy Boys and Encyclopedia Brown series I loved so much. I am very pleased as well that the entire 4th grade goes on an all day field trip to the Biophillia Nature Center every Tuesday for 5 weeks learning all kinds of natural sciences hands on. That is the kind of learning that engages children and stimulates them to seek knowledge on their own. Tedious memorization and other traditional homework has the opposite effect in my opinion.
Edited
SoWal Expert
I am trying to remember my homework at that age, but I either didn't have any, did it in school, or seem to have blocked it out. 
15-30 minutes reviewing flashcards of math, spelling words, cursive writing, or reading w/to a parent are the only daily homework I think a kid that little should be doing.
Maybe an occasional project for a science fair or something.
15-30 minutes reviewing flashcards of math, spelling words, cursive writing, or reading w/to a parent are the only daily homework I think a kid that little should be doing.
Maybe an occasional project for a science fair or something.
Beach Fanatic
If the homework for a 1st grader is taking over an hour maybe you should talk to the teacher?
I doubt any 1st grade teacher would mean to give an hour and a half of homework in a night.
So maybe the teacher is expecting the work to take 30-45 minutes, but i am sure if some kids struggle through it it takes more than an hour. The teacher should probably know that.
I doubt any 1st grade teacher would mean to give an hour and a half of homework in a night.
So maybe the teacher is expecting the work to take 30-45 minutes, but i am sure if some kids struggle through it it takes more than an hour. The teacher should probably know that.
SoWal Insider
sounds overzealous. young teacher?
Beach Fanatic
My first grader has spelling, writing & math 4 nights a week. It takes him a max of 15-20 minutes. We also do his site words on flash cards a couple times a week (about 100 words) and read every evening.
Beach Lover
My son started Kindergarten this year and has about 20-30 mins of homework daily. I think it is mainly to ensure parents are involved. I was surprised that they receive grades just like the rest of the elementary school I thought that didn't start till first grade. the funny thin is my fifth grader has about the same amount of homewdork if she focuses and gets it done but sometimes her mind wanders and it takes a while longer.
Beach Fanatic
All the parents worried about their children in elementary school having too much homework:
It's OK when they get to south Walton, if they have the tough teachers, they might have up to an hour a WEEK.
It's OK when they get to south Walton, if they have the tough teachers, they might have up to an hour a WEEK.
SoWal Guide
My first grader has spelling, writing & math 4 nights a week. It takes him a max of 15-20 minutes. We also do his site words on flash cards a couple times a week (about 100 words) and read every evening.
well, I think that is reasonable homework and good for parent and child to work together.
I have heard other parents just lately concerned about the homework load for their 1st or 2nd graders. but I have talked to other friends who say their young ones have very little homework. must be the teacher?
I would talk to the teacher about such concerns.
I wonder if some kids bring home extra work because they have not completed their assignments at school? the only time my second grader brings home any work (other than our daily reading - material of our choice) is when he has not finished his work at school. and this is a consequence of his not focusing - he is given the time to complete all work at school. believe me, after having to bring home work after school a time or two resulted in his being highly motivated at school to focus and get it done during school hours. He knows very well that after school hours are for fun and play - like most kids its his one and cherished goal in life - PLAY.
Beach Fanatic
All the parents worried about their children in elementary school having too much homework:
It's OK when they get to south Walton, if they have the tough teachers, they might have up to an hour a WEEK.
Last year, my high schooler had very little homework. There were 4 total classes, only 3 of which required any work. Much of the homework got completed during the last 20 minutes of class.
This year, it's a different story. There are 5 academic classes and 2 electives. There is almost always homework in 2 of the classes and often in all 5 academic classes. My teenager is highly motivated, has honors and AP classes, and spends 2-5 hours a night doing homework. I'm not complaining. I think this is a good thing.
Beach Fanatic
Last year, my high schooler had very little homework. There were 4 total classes, only 3 of which required any work. Much of the homework got completed during the last 20 minutes of class.
This year, it's a different story. There are 5 academic classes and 2 electives. There is almost always homework in 2 of the classes and often in all 5 academic classes. My teenager is highly motivated, has honors and AP classes, and spends 2-5 hours a night doing homework. I'm not complaining. I think this is a good thing.
Well thats good. Hopefully their students will be better prepared for being successful at a good university. What most college students tell me that attend good schools is that for every hour in class its about 2-3 out of class.
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