Anyone decide to skip homework?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, filling out the log is doing your child's homework, and sets a bad precedent. My kids did above and beyond the required reading, but one at a young age refused to turn in his log to the teacher that did nothing with them other than check a box. Prior to this, he loved the lists when they were assigned and seeing how many books he read. The check-the-box teacher didn't ask about what he read, didn't suggest books based on what he read, ... nothing. The natural consequence was a low effort grade that year, but the teacher wasn't satisfied with that. It got ugly. I did my best to support the teacher. Made him fill out the log and put it in his backpack in my presence. Then I'd find it rumpled on the porch. He would not turn it in -- even after filling the friggin' thing out. The teacher demanded compliance, made kids publicly sign and read aloud a pledge, and do other to try to bend them. He cried how the teacher valued the log more than the reading. I pointed out that working people had to turn in time sheets which was like a log. That wasnt good enough. My nose-in-a-book kid decided to retaliate and declared he would not read so that he legitimately had nothing to put on his log. That was was the last straw. I agreed with my kid about where the teacher's values were, and reminded him I was interested in his reading and enjoyed our book discussions. By the end of the year, he did the log but with my consent he only logged the minimum instead of everything he read, which he took weird satisfaction in. Sadly, I lost a lot of respect for that teacher.

My take on logs is this: if you're making kids do them, make sure they demonstrate value to your students. They aren't like math worksheet where you can see where kids might be struggling. Use the logs for book club or class discussion. Maybe even use them to show kids something like their reading endurance levels over time.

Our teacher says it's expected parents will fill out their log and that it is a task for both parent and child to do together. It's a kindergarten log and the kids don't even know how to write yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, filling out the log is doing your child's homework, and sets a bad precedent. My kids did above and beyond the required reading, but one at a young age refused to turn in his log to the teacher that did nothing with them other than check a box. Prior to this, he loved the lists when they were assigned and seeing how many books he read. The check-the-box teacher didn't ask about what he read, didn't suggest books based on what he read, ... nothing. The natural consequence was a low effort grade that year, but the teacher wasn't satisfied with that. It got ugly. I did my best to support the teacher. Made him fill out the log and put it in his backpack in my presence. Then I'd find it rumpled on the porch. He would not turn it in -- even after filling the friggin' thing out. The teacher demanded compliance, made kids publicly sign and read aloud a pledge, and do other to try to bend them. He cried how the teacher valued the log more than the reading. I pointed out that working people had to turn in time sheets which was like a log. That wasnt good enough. My nose-in-a-book kid decided to retaliate and declared he would not read so that he legitimately had nothing to put on his log. That was was the last straw. I agreed with my kid about where the teacher's values were, and reminded him I was interested in his reading and enjoyed our book discussions. By the end of the year, he did the log but with my consent he only logged the minimum instead of everything he read, which he took weird satisfaction in. Sadly, I lost a lot of respect for that teacher.

My take on logs is this: if you're making kids do them, make sure they demonstrate value to your students. They aren't like math worksheet where you can see where kids might be struggling. Use the logs for book club or class discussion. Maybe even use them to show kids something like their reading endurance levels over time.

Our teacher says it's expected parents will fill out their log and that it is a task for both parent and child to do together. It's a kindergarten log and the kids don't even know how to write yet.

You are teaching your child to set aside a little time each afternoon/evening to get their homework done. It's good to start that early so that it becomes a habit for them.

[Anonymous]

Many APS elementary schools have gone homework free besides reading. Maybe it will spread to ACPS too. Study after study show zero benefit to homework (aside from reading) for grades k-6.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Older parent (Gen X) of grade schoolers and high schoolers here. While I don't believe in the efficacy of homework for kindergarten through second grade, I do think parents send a poor message to their children by blowing it off.

I'd rather turn the homework in late in kindergarten or first grade -- e.g., pace ourselves, if necessary -- than not do the homework at all. Learning how to study is important, and parents set the tone at home with their attitude toward it. Most homework is neither exciting nor fun, but it has to get done. I tell my fifth grader that school is her job. Because it is, for now. Developing good study habits pays off later.

+1

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of the breastfeeding log GW required me to keep while in the hospital.

[Anonymous]

Quit making excuses and covering for your kids. They’ve been asked to do something at home. What’s the big deal? Just have your kids do what’s asked like everyone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quit making excuses and covering for your kids. They’ve been asked to do something at home. What’s the big deal? Just have your kids do what’s asked like everyone else.

Have you ever produced an original thought in your life, or have you always thought it best to follow the herd?

[Anonymous]

When my kid was in Kindergarten to third grade, I talked with the teachers and explained why I was against reading logs in theory (the same reasons as what everybody has already posted). And I made sure that he read *at least* as much as the reading log required.

In fourth grade, my son had a haughty revelation that "he didn't have to do the reading logs". I realized that as he matured, he was learning that homework is optional. I felt guilty for what I taught him, and I had him start filling in the reading logs from that point on even though I thought they were BS. He should have learned that homework isn't optional, and that teachers get to choose what their students do. My bad.

It was much less drama than I would have thought to implement it. Whoops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quit making excuses and covering for your kids. They’ve been asked to do something at home. What’s the big deal? Just have your kids do what’s asked like everyone else.

Have you ever produced an original thought in your life, or have you always thought it best to follow the herd?

I’ve taught some of the toughest kids algebra and I’m raising kids with issues. No excuses. Do what’s asked. So, yes. Yes, I have. You have a problem with authority? What’s wrong with doing what’s asked? Does you degree over ride that of the teacher? Then apply for he job and quit complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, filling out the log is doing your child's homework, and sets a bad precedent. My kids did above and beyond the required reading, but one at a young age refused to turn in his log to the teacher that did nothing with them other than check a box. Prior to this, he loved the lists when they were assigned and seeing how many books he read. The check-the-box teacher didn't ask about what he read, didn't suggest books based on what he read, ... nothing. The natural consequence was a low effort grade that year, but the teacher wasn't satisfied with that. It got ugly. I did my best to support the teacher. Made him fill out the log and put it in his backpack in my presence. Then I'd find it rumpled on the porch. He would not turn it in -- even after filling the friggin' thing out. The teacher demanded compliance, made kids publicly sign and read aloud a pledge, and do other to try to bend them. He cried how the teacher valued the log more than the reading. I pointed out that working people had to turn in time sheets which was like a log. That wasnt good enough. My nose-in-a-book kid decided to retaliate and declared he would not read so that he legitimately had nothing to put on his log. That was was the last straw. I agreed with my kid about where the teacher's values were, and reminded him I was interested in his reading and enjoyed our book discussions. By the end of the year, he did the log but with my consent he only logged the minimum instead of everything he read, which he took weird satisfaction in. Sadly, I lost a lot of respect for that teacher.

My take on logs is this: if you're making kids do them, make sure they demonstrate value to your students. They aren't like math worksheet where you can see where kids might be struggling. Use the logs for book club or class discussion. Maybe even use them to show kids something like their reading endurance levels over time.

Sorry, I missed the K part. Mine kid was in 4th grade, and I expect him to fill it out.

Our teacher says it's expected parents will fill out their log and that it is a task for both parent and child to do together. It's a kindergarten log and the kids don't even know how to write yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are reading every night anyway, how is a reading log such a huge, onerous chore? It takes 5 minutes to write down what your kid read.

I'm not a teacher but I would think that the reading log might help a teacher to identify interests in her students. I never thought that they were a huge, big deal.

Then you were never handed a log like this one that my DC got:

Title:
Author:
Time you started reading:
Time you stopped reading:
Page you started on:
Page you stopped on:
One sentence about what you read:

Saying it's okay not do this homework is putting it softly. You SHOULD NOT have your child do this. It will ensure that she does not develop a passion for reading.

WOW. I can't imagine what your life must be like if you and your kids truly find this so onerous. lololol

It's annoying busy work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quit making excuses and covering for your kids. They’ve been asked to do something at home. What’s the big deal? Just have your kids do what’s asked like everyone else.

Have you ever produced an original thought in your life, or have you always thought it best to follow the herd?

I’ve taught some of the toughest kids algebra and I’m raising kids with issues. No excuses. Do what’s asked. So, yes. Yes, I have. You have a problem with authority? What’s wrong with doing what’s asked? Does you degree over ride that of the teacher? Then apply for he job and quit complaining.

I have a problem with the fact that you think you’re an authority. When you wake up in the morning do you bleat like a sheep?

[Anonymous]

No one should blindly follow “authority,” especially when the research on the efficacy of reading logs is quite clear.

https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1098404

[Anonymous]

Generally speaking, I try to encourage my kids to do HW because I think it's the right precedent. That said, I would never fill out a reading log like that again. Ever.

We did it with my eldest and it sucked the joy of reading right away. I steered clear of that nonsense with my next two and they both love to read. In retrospect, I would talk to the teacher about it and explain why we weren't doing it. Then I would toss the stupid things where they belong.

And good for all of you people whose children never minded these. Hooray. That's great.

But for a lot of kids these things are toxic. OP, listen to your gut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Generally speaking, I try to encourage my kids to do HW because I think it's the right precedent. That said, I would never fill out a reading log like that again. Ever.

We did it with my eldest and it sucked the joy of reading right away. I steered clear of that nonsense with my next two and they both love to read. In retrospect, I would talk to the teacher about it and explain why we weren't doing it. Then I would toss the stupid things where they belong.

And good for all of you people whose children never minded these. Hooray. That's great.

But for a lot of kids these things are toxic. OP, listen to your gut.

OK. So where does "follow your gut" end? With reading logs in K only? Or if math homework practicing times tables is "sucking the joy out of math" next year, should that get ditched as well? Will writing a book report a few grades from now also be something a kid can ditch because it's annoying and mom or dad feels it doesn't teach...whatever their guts say is best?

By middle school, these kids will have learned that homework is optional and based on what they and their parents think is worthwhile. That sets a student up for real problems in MS and HS. You'll all protest that "It's only a kindergarten reading log we're talking about here!" But the early PP who brought up parental attitude was right; kids will pick up on parents' negative attitudes about homework and will carry that attitude with them. Grouse about it now in front of your kids and don't be surprised if your kids grouse about it later when it really does matter.