About to Give Up on First Grade Homework

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Set a timer. Have a designated homework place at the kitchen table or nearby. Whatever is done after 30 minutes is what she gives her teacher the next day. Let the teacher know that you are doing this so she doesn't give DC a free pass. Then sit down and have her read to you for 20 minutes and read then to her for 20 minutes - a book of her choice.

If this is a power struggle between you and her, then you are taking yourself out of it. If she is still having problems you can talk to the teacher and see if she needs evaluation. Have her start different types of homework on different days- then you can see if there is one particular area that needs addressing.

For first grade? No. Ten minutes. Ten minutes of work, as a PP noted. But 10 minutes for everything combined, and then you read to her.

[Anonymous]

Most homework at that age is busywork. However, your child does need to learn how to sit down and work at something he doesn't necessarily like for a set duration. This is crucial, and what will make it easier is if he can do this every single day at the same time - the routine will be set and he won't resist so much - I've been there, done that with my kids!

Make him sit down and work for 15 minutes every day. Doesn't matter if all the homework does not get done. Consider it an exercise in discipline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Most homework at that age is busywork. However, your child does need to learn how to sit down and work at something he doesn't necessarily like for a set duration. This is crucial, and what will make it easier is if he can do this every single day at the same time - the routine will be set and he won't resist so much - I've been there, done that with my kids!

Make him sit down and work for 15 minutes every day. Doesn't matter if all the homework does not get done. Consider it an exercise in discipline.

They do that at school.

[Anonymous]

M 1st grader has 1-2 sheets of homework a night and we don't let it slide. I sit with him while he completes his homework - and help only if he asks me. I don't think it's big deal! No way would I go against his teacher or school for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Most homework at that age is busywork. However, your child does need to learn how to sit down and work at something he doesn't necessarily like for a set duration. This is crucial, and what will make it easier is if he can do this every single day at the same time - the routine will be set and he won't resist so much - I've been there, done that with my kids!

Make him sit down and work for 15 minutes every day. Doesn't matter if all the homework does not get done. Consider it an exercise in discipline.

They do that at school.

It's about setting a routine and getting a child used to doing homework at home. When the homework actually matters, you can't expect them to magically know how to do it. Hence, homework at early ages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Most homework at that age is busywork. However, your child does need to learn how to sit down and work at something he doesn't necessarily like for a set duration. This is crucial, and what will make it easier is if he can do this every single day at the same time - the routine will be set and he won't resist so much - I've been there, done that with my kids!

Make him sit down and work for 15 minutes every day. Doesn't matter if all the homework does not get done. Consider it an exercise in discipline.

They do that at school.

It's about setting a routine and getting a child used to doing homework at home. When the homework actually matters, you can't expect them to magically know how to do it. Hence, homework at early ages.

Yeah, you can.

[Anonymous]

My dd's only homework in 1st grade is to read for 10 minutes, which is a real struggle for her. Her teacher told me that we should only do it as long as she's enjoying it. At school, she said, she'll keep pushing dd, but at home, keeping reading and books fun and a source of pleasure is far more inportant than whatever she'd learn in that time.

I'm very thankful for that attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is hating homework and the type and amount of homework is taking the joy out of math and reading. Just about everyday, its a fight to get through a minimal amount (2-3 pages of math/reading/writing). The teacher says to keep it fun and not do much, I'm thinking about dropping it all together and focusing on reading to DC, art, the outdoors, cooking, sports, etc. I just don't think DC's cognitive abilities are that developed yet while the other areas are, such as motor skills, emotional and social abilities, etc. Anyone else having similar experiences?

This is why the homework needs to be done. You're not doing him/ her any favors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Most homework at that age is busywork. However, your child does need to learn how to sit down and work at something he doesn't necessarily like for a set duration. This is crucial, and what will make it easier is if he can do this every single day at the same time - the routine will be set and he won't resist so much - I've been there, done that with my kids!

Make him sit down and work for 15 minutes every day. Doesn't matter if all the homework does not get done. Consider it an exercise in discipline.

They do that at school.

It's about setting a routine and getting a child used to doing homework at home. When the homework actually matters, you can't expect them to magically know how to do it. Hence, homework at early ages.

This is what junior high is for. That, and getting junior high kids segregated away from the rest of us.

[Anonymous]

It seems really popular to decry the detriment of homework at early ages--and it certainly isn't developmentally appropriate to give people hours and hours of homework at age 7 (isn't the rule of thumb 10 minutes per grade?)...but we're talking about two worksheets. Why is this so problematic? Honestly I received homework in the early grades, and I am not scarred for life, nor do I hate learning. I think the idea is to re-inforce what you learned at school later in the day and practice independently...not when the teacher is around...as well as keeping the parents in the loop about what they are covering.

I also wonder what message parents are sending to their kids if, because they read one study, they allow their kids to not do homework with regard to respecting other students, teachers, and general policies/authority. Also life doesn't have to be fun all the time.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised at how much homework some of your 1st graders have. Mine currently has 10 min of homework that consists of reading and answering a question only 3x a week. There is usually a small project due once or twice a month.

[Anonymous]

^^^I'll add that we are in FCPS. What are most of your kids in public or private? VA, MD, DC?^^^

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all this helpful input. DC typically brings home 5 (zeroxed, short) books to read, 1-3 pages of a project and 3-5 pages of math, 2-5 pages of writing per week. Yes, I have spoken with the teacher so the next conversation will be focused on the single most important aspect so that DC does homework and gets into the routine. And yes, DC has responsibilities around our home which are done with the usual amount of reminding. For the "kids need responsibility set" DC's responsibilities are generally more than kids 1-2 years older and have been for some time. Routine, expectations and responsibility are important in our home.

[Anonymous]

My son had serious issues with HW in 1st grade.

So we did it 10 minutes at a time.
2nd grade 15 minutes at a time.
3rd grade 20 minutes at a time.

I never worried about grades but did worry about building good work habits.

We write each thing we need to do and the time we will spend and then cross off what we have done (it is a little satisfying to see the list disappear). Timers also worked well.

He is in 8th grade and can do 1 hour at a time. Though he still does not like it.

He did end up being dyslexic (diagnosed in 3rd grade) but he is a diligent student and gets good grades (A's, B's and C - in liturature... generally).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems really popular to decry the detriment of homework at early ages--and it certainly isn't developmentally appropriate to give people hours and hours of homework at age 7 (isn't the rule of thumb 10 minutes per grade?)...but we're talking about two worksheets. Why is this so problematic? Honestly I received homework in the early grades, and I am not scarred for life, nor do I hate learning. I think the idea is to re-inforce what you learned at school later in the day and practice independently...not when the teacher is around...as well as keeping the parents in the loop about what they are covering.

I also wonder what message parents are sending to their kids if, because they read one study, they allow their kids to not do homework with regard to respecting other students, teachers, and general policies/authority. Also life doesn't have to be fun all the time.

My son has more than two worksheets. He does 20 minutes required reading (fine), one math worksheet (also fine), and an online timed math exercise. The stress of trying to answer math questions in 3 seconds really takes a toll on him emotionally. I see no need to put him under that kind of pressure. We found a non-timed alternative. But he does 30-40 minutes a night.