What is your opinion on homework for primary school children?

[Shanaynay]

Just wondering what people think of primary school children getting homework?

My children will be going to school with a no-homework policy.

I have heard of parents asking kindergarten teachers to send homework home each night :eek:

[Noah_and_Elijah]

I think homework in primary school is fine. I didn't really have much in primary school other than a little bit of work on assignments or projects here and there so it was good.

I trust that if the teachers are sending homework for my children to do then it will be beneficial to their learning. I am the parent but I am not the expert when it comes to their education, I follow the teachers cues on that front.

[forbetoel]

I am 100% with you on this Phineas.
My children's primary school have no homework at all until grade 3, and even then it is very minimal, and not compulsory.

[ikis84]

I think homework should be an optional thing - the children should be able to decide if they do extra work, and the teacher should provide a good variety of tasks for them to choose from. It should be things that encourage critical thinking and interaction with parents.

Readers should be sent home for all children :yes:

[Shanaynay]

It should be things that encourage critical thinking and interaction with parents.

:yes: I believe the best 'homework' can be things like making cakes (how good is that for measuring and weighing!), collecting bugs, building things etc...

I would like to think that all children read every night but they probably don't, so it would be great if teachers would encourage reading too :)

[~Bec~]

I think homework in primary school is fine. I didn't really have much in primary school other than a little bit of work on assignments or projects here and there so it was good.

I trust that if the teachers are sending homework for my children to do then it will be beneficial to their learning. I am the parent but I am not the expert when it comes to their education, I follow the teachers cues on that front.

I agree. :)

[moonblossom]

I strongly disagree with primary school students having homework. I mean COME ON, they have just had 6 hours of learning, let them come home and relax, play with their toys and have fun.

[Shanaynay]

Really? Many schools have policies that X minutes/hours have to be sent home each night, and the teachers MUST comply with that, whether they like it or not.
Often it completely clashes with the beliefs of the teacher. I've known teachers to leave school because of this issue :thumbsdown:
So it's not always what the teacher believes to be best :no:

[Noah_and_Elijah]

Don't get me wrong, if there was an unusual or unnacceptable amount of work being sent home obviously I would have an issue with this and would raise it with the teacher but I don't think that it's at all unrealistic to expect a child to do between 15 - 30 minutes of homework when they get home.

[Nomsie]

I ask my kids to read to mum/dad/bro/sis/nan/pop/whoever each night for 10 minutes or so and for that person to sign it in their journals and write a comment.

I also send home a sheet with 6 words for them to learn over the course of a week, ready for their spelling test.

I really want them to do it, but it's no big deal if they don't- ultimately their education at home is their choice.

The sheet just gives them another option- it satisfies those parents who would like their kids to do a bit at home, and becuase there is no pressure to hand the sheet in to me, the parents who don't have a homework rule aren't pressured into doing something they really don't want to do!


:D

[Mum&bubs]

I don't agree with home work every night but I think 2-3 nights a week or minimal homework is fine. Extra learning :D

[Noah_and_Elijah]

Nomsie - I think that's a great approach to have. If the parents want it done then it's there, if not then no big deal. :)

[KarniF00l]

I think homework for primary schoolers is fine, but in small doses.

Last year DS1 was in prep and was coming home with a reader each night (which is totally fine - he loves reading), a worksheet three times a week, word lists and THEN a 'major' project once a week. When I say major I'm talking about things like 'Map out all the rooms in your house and draw all the appliances that use water. Then write down a list of how you can save water", or "Draw and write down 5 things each that are oval, square, circle, rectangle ect.." Now to me all that in a week is too much for a grade 3er, not to mention a prep.

He stayed at the school until mid this year and now he's in a brilliant school where they don't push the kids too hard by making them do large amounts of homework. He will bring home a reader each night, a words list and his weekly library book and that's it.

Kids need to be kids. They don't need to be coming home from school only to be doing more work, especially not large amounts of work. :thumbsdown:

[SimplyMum]

I have been looking into schools for DS. The one I want to send him too have an 'interesting' view on this subject.

Their policy is that they put more emphsis on the development of the childs character rather than acedemically. There belief is that there is plenty of time for acemdemic development from years 3 and up. They don't send homework home as such- they believe this only ends up being homework for the parent rather than the child. The do give homework out though. Their homework for years K-2 is they give them a value and they must put that value into place throught the week. For eg, Take responsibility for your things. This would involve cleaning up their toys themself everynight and putting their bag away after coming home from school.

IMO I think this is a much better system as with the right values instilled in a child- they can do anything.

[bubbles & peanut]

My daughter is in 1st grade and at the moment she gets 2 pages of writing to do each night, plus a book to read.

I used to try to make her do it, but she was just getting frustrated with it all, so I don't even bother now. She hasn't done her homework for a few months. It's just too much for a 6 year old!

I mean, she loves to sit down and write a story about her day, and she likes to use new words in her stories, so she is still learning, but she's having fun doing it!

And she still reads every night, but never the book she is given by her teacher.

She is a kid - I want her to enjoy being a kid!

[Noah_and_Elijah]

He will bring home a reader each night, a works list and his weekly library book and that's it.

I think that's a perfect amount of homework. I too agree that anymore than that is going overboard, especially in the early years.

[Nomsie]

I have been looking into schools for DS. The one I want to send him too have an 'interesting' view on this subject.

Their policy is that they put more emphsis on the development of the childs character rather than acedemically. There belief is that there is plenty of time for acemdemic development from years 3 and up. They don't send homework home as such- they believe this only ends up being homework for the parent rather than the child. The do give homework out though. Their homework for years K-2 is they give them a value and they must put that value into place throught the week. For eg, Take responsibility for your things. This would involve cleaning up their toys themself everynight and putting their bag away after coming home from school.

IMO I think this is a much better system as with the right values instilled in a child- they can do anything.


I think this is a great idea, and it needs to be implemented in my school (not my class obviously, they're all gorgeous, but the seniors need it!)

I don't like it when schools have a homework policy, it is more stress on everyone than is needed. When I was at uni, we were told, before you start handing out homework left, right and centre, stop and think "Am I going to have time correct and give feedback on 26 lots of homework each week?"

The answer for me? Nup! :yes:


Shh... don't tell the other teachers, I don't even have 26 kids... I only have 17! It's a secret! lol :D

[tootiredtosleep]

I don't mind the idea of a little bit of homework each night and a project occasionally. I remember Mum buying those huge sheets of cardboard and tracing out a giant map of Australia for me.
I hope to devote about 20 mins each arvo to home work/reading. If it doesn't get done it that time, too bad.

[KarniF00l]

I think that's a perfect amount of homework. I too agree that anymore than that is going overboard, especially in the early years.

Oh I agree. DS1 is more content with that amount, as am I.


I also noticed that last year during terms 1-3 DS flat out refused to learn how to read. He would get frustrated and end up upset. So during term 4 I took to my own approach and backed off completely. I didn't push the work on him that he was given as homework, I told the teacher that I won't me making him do it any more. Lo and behold about a month later he was reading like a champion. He knew how to sound out big words and put them together. Funnily enough when DS1 comes home now, he comes and flicks through the daily paper, then goes out to play until dinner time.

So moral of the story, I worked out if you push too hard it doesn't help at all. Some children like to learn things in their own time, which is a good thing.

[UmmInayah]

I think homework for early primary school kids - like below grade 3 is not a good idea - although sometimes homework helps parents know what they are learning at school and can help them make sure they don't fall behind, or can give extra help if needed.

I don't have a child in primary school, but do teachers generally tell you what the children are learning without giving them homework? I guess if you asked, they would tell you..

[Beany]

I actually think it's a great idea. It cements the learning from the day and allows the parents to get hands on, seeing where their child is and how they are going. A child is likely to get overlooked in class, fall behind without the teacher noticing as their attention is divided between a lot of little people. That one-on-one time with their parents could just clear things up, let them catch up.

It also encourages independent study from a young age and disciplines them for later on when homework is of far greater importance. Integrates it into their school routine.

[SimplyMum]

I think homework for early primary school kids - like below grade 3 is not a good idea - although sometimes homework helps parents know what they are learning at school and can help them make sure they don't fall behind, or can give extra help if needed.

I don't have a child in primary school, but do teachers generally tell you what the children are learning without giving them homework? I guess if you asked, they would tell you..

With the school I'm trying to get DS into, each child has a tutor. This person is the parents and childs personal liason with the school. The tutor knows your child, if there are any problems with schooling (falling behind) or misbehaving, the parents, tutor and child can consult and work on a way of fixing it. If a child is not eating their dinner each night- they all come up with a solution together. Whether it be, a 'fun' dinner night in exchange for 3 healthy meals or a child finding difficulty in writing, maybe writing a story for fun or playing hangman.
I like this idea as it teaches the child self-descipline in a way that isn't too confronting. You're not putting major consequences on them but giuding them to the right path.

[SassyMummy]

Depends what it is.

Considering many ADULTS today can't read or spell well, I'd expect DD to read and spell every single day after school. Nothing major... but you know how in primary school you have spelling lists? I like that. That, and reading a book each night. Just a small one for little kids.

I wouldn't really appreciate big long activity pages being sent home... but reading and spelling, IMO, are the absolute most important things a child can learn at school. If DD doesn't get homework to cover this adequately, then we'll just do it ourselves. I won't have her falling behind in that area.

TBH, in general, I think homework is a waste of time. I NEVER did ANY homework in high school...and I was in the top 5 of my many of my subjects (out of about 250 students in year 12).

Some friends I had who did their homework daily were barely scraping through.

[LovelyRita]

I actually think it's a great idea. It cements the learning from the day and allows the parents to get hands on, seeing where their child is and how they are going. A child is likely to get overlooked in class, fall behind without the teacher noticing as their attention is divided between a lot of little people. That one-on-one time with their parents could just clear things up, let them catch up.

It also encourages independent study from a young age and disciplines them for later on when homework is of far greater importance. Integrates it into their school routine.

Couldn't agree more. Of course everything has to be in moderation and lengths and the type of homework that is done needs to be appropriate for the age of the child. I think homework can be extremely beneficial for children and involves the parents so much more in the learning process.

[UmmInayah]

With the school I'm trying to get DS into, each child has a tutor. This person is the parents and childs personal liason with the school. The tutor knows your child, if there are any problems with schooling (falling behind) or misbehaving, the parents, tutor and child can consult and work on a way of fixing it. If a child is not eating their dinner each night- they all come up with a solution together. Whether it be, a 'fun' dinner night in exchange for 3 healthy meals or a child finding difficulty in writing, maybe writing a story for fun or playing hangman.
I like this idea as it teaches the child self-descipline in a way that isn't too confronting. You're not putting major consequences on them but giuding them to the right path.

I think that is such a great idea! It benefits everyone, and ultimately the child has a consistent way of being treated in all aspects of their school (and it seems like home) life.

All schools should be like this.

[Silvana]

I think that either homework should be banned or reduced to a minimal amount. If you can't teach what you are supposed to in 6-7 hours then you haven't done your job. Maybe they should better utilise the information they teach.

Under grade 3 isn't acceptable. Maybe more assignment based work (for over grade 3) would be more appropriate.

[Cordelia]

Homework under grade 3 is READING.. so essential. Kids should be reading to their parents every night. It's so hard to catch up later on otherwise and is such good grounding.

Beyond that, I believe that a reasonable amount of homework is important to set the grounding for study later on. It's important to get into a routine and be able to focus for periods at a time at home. And also so parents are seeing what their kids are learning at school and getting involved. Learning is more than rocking uip to school each day.. we want lifelong learning!!

[missie_mack]

It also encourages independent study from a young age and disciplines them for later on when homework is of far greater importance. Integrates it into their school routine.

I agree. It teaches them skills that will take them into high school usually gradually increasing by age. Otherwise when they get to high school they will be overwhelmed IMO
I also have to wonder how kids from no homework primary schools compare with those from pro homework schools when they get to highschool??

Not that I think infant school kids should have a lot of homework. Just some spelling, reading and timestables most of the time. And most of the time it is just re interating what they learnt that day. While they are at school 6 hours a day they arent in class for that long and have a diverse range of topics to cover, not all of them scholastic.

[SweetAngels]

I want my children to do well in school, so I think bringing a lil homework home is very beneficial.

When DD brings homework home (a reading book and a few words to learn) it gives me a chance to see how well she is doing or if she is struggling. She just started a new school and her teacher had her in a hard reading group, this made her feel like a failure when she couldn't read it which damages her confidence, but BC she brought it home, I was able to tell the teacher the very next day. (thats just example off a very long 'pro' list)

Plus I lovvvve hearing my lil gurl read and being involved with her school work!

[Elfin]

I think it is painful. There is so much arguing from ds about doing the homework, I get sick of it. For us, it is a source of strife. However, one week ds decided not to do it and his teacher made him stay in at lunchtime and do it all, so since then he will do it but complains a lot:rolleyes:

[Shanaynay]

I also have to wonder how kids from no homework primary schools compare with those from pro homework schools when they get to highschool??

I would bet my money on MUCH better :yes:

[SimplyMum]

I also have to wonder how kids from no homework primary schools compare with those from pro homework schools when they get to highschool??


I agree, this would be extreamly interesting.

Although, when I went in for an open day. The Kindergarten class could spell 'tonight', they could all hold a pencil properly and their hand-writing was remarkable.




Plus I lovvvve hearing my lil gurl read and being involved with her school work!

Diddo, although I haven't reached this stage as yet. I would definately like a book before bed time to be read. He wont have to read it every night but maybe every 2nd night, and me reading on the alternate nights.


I think it is painful. There is so much arguing from ds about doing the homework, I get sick of it. For us, it is a source of strife. However, one week ds decided not to do it and his teacher made him stay in at lunchtime and do it all, so since then he will do it but complains a lot:rolleyes:

That's part of the reasoning for no-homework. Sometimes it just puts more stress on the parent and child. Even extending to the whole family. Thus creates more stressful night for all and that isn't good on relationship building or for the family.

[tiggles]

My little girl is in Year 1 in QLD (Kindergarden in NSW), she gets too much home work.
She has a reader, 40 sight words that change every week, and she is meant to know all 40 before the next week, plus another 5 words to read, spell and be able to write down from memory. This takes over 1/2 hour each night and she is exhausted from school.

The teacher wanted to send more home and I said no.

This is way too much for a 6 year old.

[Nomsie]

I think that either homework should be banned or reduced to a minimal amount. If you can't teach what you are supposed to in 6-7 hours then you haven't done your job. Maybe they should better utilise the information they teach.

Under grade 3 isn't acceptable. Maybe more assignment based work (for over grade 3) would be more appropriate.

I take offence to this. There are a lot of variables within a classroom that occur every day that can prevent a teacher from deivering a full day's curriculum. All it takes is one disruptive child for the whole class to suffer.

I myself have two brothers in my class who are far below national benchmark standards. And they have had far better teachers before I- but by their own admissions they just ARE NOT interested in school. No amount of homework I give them will ever bring them up to standard (1 is in grade 3 and does not know basic pairs to 10), but it may just help them when push comes to shove.

Besides, the thread was about homework for primary school aged children, not where are our teachers failing us. Just remember that we do the best we can with what resources we have. :yes:


My little girl is in Year 1 in QLD (Kindergarden in NSW), she gets too much home work.
She has a reader, 40 sight words that change every week, and she is meant to know all 40 before the next week, plus another 5 words to read, spell and be able to write down from memory. This takes over 1/2 hour each night and she is exhausted from school.

The teacher wanted to send more home and I said no.

This is way too much for a 6 year old.

I think that is way too much for a kinder/preppie. 40 sight words a week! :eek: I can't wait to see the look on my colleague's face when I tell her tomorrow we are way behind! lol... you were right to say no to the extra homework and to be honest, I would mention that 40 words a week may be too much! Gosh, I can't even imagine trying to get a 6 yr old to sit down and do all that work! Their attention span is way too short! :yes:

[MariaO]

I actually think it's a great idea. It cements the learning from the day and allows the parents to get hands on, seeing where their child is and how they are going. A child is likely to get overlooked in class, fall behind without the teacher noticing as their attention is divided between a lot of little people. That one-on-one time with their parents could just clear things up, let them catch up.

It also encourages independent study from a young age and disciplines them for later on when homework is of far greater importance. Integrates it into their school routine.

I agree with this as well, as long as the amount of homework is appropriate for the year the child is in.

[Shanaynay]

I take offence to this. There are a lot of variables within a classroom that occur every day that can prevent a teacher from deivering a full day's curriculum. All it takes is one disruptive child for the whole class to suffer.
.....
Besides, the thread was about homework for primary school aged children, not where are our teachers failing us. Just remember that we do the best we can with what resources we have. :yes:

OT still but the whole system sucks really. Need smaller class sizes and a higher teacher to pupil ratio :yes:

[Nomsie]

OT still but the whole system sucks really. Need smaller class sizes and a higher teacher to pupil ratio :yes:

:yelclap: Here, here! Then there would be no need for massive amounts of homework! :thumbsup:

[LovelyRita]

For those who disagree with homework, do you not think that some one on one time with you child, doing developmentally appropriate activities would be beneficial?

I'm not talking about the excessive examples that have been given but some moderate and fun activities that give the parents a guide for where the child is at and supports the child's learning. I'm not saying structured homework for children under grade 3 but I think if a child has no idea about studying independently what so ever, it would be mighty hard going from that to high school.

[ButterflyMama]

I think until about grade 5 any homework should be done in a practical and non-compulsory manner. As previously mentioned - making cakes, collecting rocks, looking at plants/gardening. Save the assignments for high school. I will be sending our children to a school with minimal primary homework.

[missie_mack]

I found a interesting article that was reasonably balanced in its opinion

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Home-invasion/2005/02/04/1107476790672.html

[Shanaynay]

For those who disagree with homework, do you not think that some one on one time with you child, doing developmentally appropriate activities would be beneficial?

Yep, reading, cooking, going to the zoo, going for bushwalks - learn more that way that you would from homework!

[SimplyMum]

I agree. I think bonding time would be more beneficial. Go out and kick a soccer ball around, help make dinner, do some craft. I think K-3 yrs would benefit more from spending 'quality' time with the family rather than everyone getting stressed out at each other over homework. Play a game- Manoploy, scrablle. Would these kind of things not facilitate their learning rather than getting a 6 yr old to spend 30min on homework after spending 5hrs (6hrs - lunch time) of learning at school.

[LovelyRita]

Yep, reading, cooking, going to the zoo, going for bushwalks - learn more that way that you would from homework!

I understand your position but why can't both be done? Why can't there be a balance between continuing what they have been learning in class into your home. Your child extending that learning with their parents. I would just like to have the opportunity to have that input.

I don't agree with assignments and completely structured activities for younger children, but I certainly don't disagree with a specific book that they have been talking about in class coming home with them to read.

Each to their own, maybe they should just make homework optional, that would suit everyone then. :D

[Shanaynay]

I understand your position but why can't both be done?
Well, I know when I was in primary school, there was no TIME!
Get home from school, then homework till dinner time, then bed :thumbsdown:
That's why I disagree so much with homework - when you spend 7 or so plus hours getting to and from school and the time spent there, it leaves very little time for much else!

Things like cooking etc... DO extend the learning into the home. Cooking is great for learning fractions :thumbsup: The Zoo - you learn more in a day there about animals in their habitats than would would in a whole term of the same stuff in the classroom!

[LovelyRita]

But that's my whole point about moderation. I don't agree with large amounts of homework at all! I think no homework is better than a huge amount and with all the pressure that would come along with it. It wouldn't be worth it!

As I said before maybe they should just make it optional. :D

[SimplyMum]

I don't know, there's something about half the class doing homework and half the class not doing it that just doesn't sit right. I think it should be consistant throughout the entire class, either way.

I agree with a book before bed but that's also bonding time. Qualtity time spent together.

The thing that I probably disagree with IMO would be the structured, sitting down at the bench with a peice of paper full of problems. I think that somethings can be taught in a fun way, rather than sitting down and doing structured homework. There's got to be a time to be creative and fun and to be able to do something without the thoughts of 'I've got to finish this before ........., or 'come on, you've got 15min before bed.'

I also think it may be very different for non-working Mums/Dads. They may have the 'time' to sit down and do homework but from the time I get home and from the time DS goes to bed- We spend 15min of quality time together while I'm getting dinner ready, than we sit down to eat, DS bathed, and than a book read all in about 1.5hrs.

[forbetoel]

I think playing outside is homework. Parents underestimate the importance of kids just playing.....Social Skills!

[SimplyMum]

I think playing outside is homework. Parents underestimate the importance of kids just playing.....Social Skills!

I agree.

[Silvana]

Nomsie, I am referring more to the education system and not teachers. Smaller class sizes would help the problem of disruptive students.

I also believe that parents at home should be encouraging their childrens learning in other ways. Helping them to read, and using computer programs for learning (like counting and reading programs) are examples.

I also said in my original post, that more assignment based work at home would be more appropriate and still would help to teach a child about discipline and organisational skills.

[UmmInayah]

I think playing outside is homework. Parents underestimate the importance of kids just playing.....Social Skills!

And with rising obesity rates in children now in Australia, its great exercise!

[mum23girls]

Catie used to get a grid, and there would be practical things on there such as "help with the dishes" or "do 15 minutes of dancing or exercise" and "find a book and make your own story up from the pictures" and on this grid there was a total of about six things that over a week they have to do.
The principle of the school said that she likes to encourage more family time, as she knew that in this day and time a lot of time is spent argueing with the child over if they have done their homework.

I don't really have a problem with it.

[abuzzinnbumblinhoneybee]

Catie used to get a grid, and there would be practical things on there such as "help with the dishes" or "do 15 minutes of dancing or exercise" and "find a book and make your own story up from the pictures" and on this grid there was a total of about six things that over a week they have to do.
The principle of the school said that she likes to encourage more family time, as she knew that in this day and time a lot of time is spent argueing with the child over if they have done their homework.

I don't really have a problem with it.

our school is bringing in the same sort of principles, as well as reading for homework and a small amount of other work (assignments etc)

my son refused to sit with me and learn words and letters etc, as he'd much rather so something more phsical with us, but when he's teacher sent home a book with him where each week he had a diferent letter and number to learn and he could write down anything he learnt about that specific letter/number he loved it! (he is in prep as well). he thrieved so much more than he had in preschool and seeing his teachers face when he showed her his book was the best satifaction i think he could have gotton from anything!