homework in kindergarten

[Anonymous]

We need more teachers like you pp.

[Anonymous]

I wish we would get a schedule, and have the opportunity to choose which days to do the 4 days of homework (my son gets M-R homework).

Some weekdays are sooo busy. I would much rather spend an hour on sunday afternoon than cram it in on a busy Tuesday when I and my child are both exhausted. Having more flexibility would really help.

Personally, I think 4 days is way too many in any event - especially when the assignment are almost never integrated into the next day's curriculum. We're teaching the lesson "follow the rules" without teaching the kids that there's any value to the assignment.

(I'm the poster who stopped doing the homework that wasn't integrated).

[Anonymous]

That is a good idea , to give the parents more flexibility. Living our lives around primary school homework is a bit much.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it would be a good year. (PP here).

The homework thing is hard. DH and I were obedient students and are both highly educated. We were successful at school and did our homework. Therefore...

This made it an amazing challenge to step back and think hard about the goals of the homework, and whether we were achieving them. We did "the peacefulness of our home" and our son's attitude toward school a great deal of harm before it dawned on us to reevaluate.

DC is out of kinder now, but the homework continues.

If I have one bit of advice for you kinder parents: Your first and foremost goal is NOT reading. Your first and foremost goal is to make sure your child develops a positive attitude toward school and toward learning. I promise: your child will read when your child is ready. Harvard applications do not include the question "At what age could you first read a chapter book?"

You really don't have to do all the homework. And (here's a secret) - lots of kids aren't doing all the homework.

[Anonymous]

Ha Ha pp. I agree. He He.

[Anonymous]

Would a parent get into trouble for telling a teacher that limits are put on assignments? It sounds like a good idea, but will it cause trouble?

[Anonymous]

(19:35 again...)

Well, we did tell our principal that we were not going to do all the homework. She was not thrilled, and did not agree with my assessment that it was too much. However, she still respects me (and I respect her). I should point out that I am very careful when I speak to her. I am one of many parents, and my child is only one of her charges. I am very careful to be respectful and not tell her how to do her job.

It has not gotten me in trouble yet. However....
It probably helps that a) my child causes no trouble and does very well in school and b) I demand very little and don't complain much.