About to Give Up on First Grade Homework

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

I suggest you make an appointment with the teacher about a good strategy that works for your both.

Yes, it is time to do less. Your teacher may have something important to say about which things your kid should focus on with the limited time you are going to devote to this.

[Anonymous]

I hate hate hate homework in the early grades. My son only balks at one assignment - a very boring and tedious online math exercise. It shouldn't be so horrid at such a young age.

We've cut back a lot on that, and I found a different math app that is much more fun. I haven't dropped the other program completely, but instead of doing it daily, I make him do it twice a week.

I agree with talking to the teacher about cutting back. Some things, like writing for penmanship, may really require some outside practice. I'd try to narrow it down to the essentials.

[Anonymous]

Does everything have to be about providing joy and pleasure to our kids? No wonder we are raising a self-centered generation that has the attention span of a flea. Sometimes life requires us to do "chores" that seem tedious when something we deem better is calling for our time. Learning anything requires practice. 2 pages of homework is not terrible. What a great life lesson to teach our kids when they're young - shirk the things you have to do in favor of the ones you want to do.

[Anonymous]

Quit the homework. Look at research on its effectiveness, ESP in younger yrs. it's not! Good for you realizing this is impacting your child in a negative way- at their age, they should be enjoying learning at school and homework is not necessary. Talk to the teacher about it and then come up with a plan that works for you both. There are plenty of ways to teach kids how to stick with something, persevere and be positive. Homework isn't it bc it's not developmentally appropriate at that age at all!

[Anonymous]

The homework is really simple and minimal. If your child is struggling, there's a problem. Ignoring it won't help.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

You can choose to just not do homework ??? Do kids not fail grades anymore ? In my day kids failed I myself am a 2nd grade failure and proud of it. I think back in the 80's and 90's it was 20% that failed k-2nd grade each year.

[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?

OP, if you haven't talked to the teacher, I think that you should. Every year, my kids' teachers say, "The homework should take no longer than [however many] minutes a night. If it takes longer, or if it's a huge struggle, please talk to me."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does everything have to be about providing joy and pleasure to our kids? No wonder we are raising a self-centered generation that has the attention span of a flea. Sometimes life requires us to do "chores" that seem tedious when something we deem better is calling for our time. Learning anything requires practice. 2 pages of homework is not terrible. What a great life lesson to teach our kids when they're young - shirk the things you have to do in favor of the ones you want to do.

If the science backed you up, I would, too. But there is nothing out there that says homework for young kids is effective.

But it can be a really good way of turning your kid off learning.

[Anonymous]

As the parent of older kids one suggestion is to think about the long term message you are sending. You are setting habits now that carry through their years if school. If you allow them to skip homework that has been assigned bY the teacher what message are you sending.

I've BTDT and am very glad that I persevered through the difficulties instead of giving in a d throwing in the towel. My expectations are clear and the trickle down affect is that my younger kids always knew crying and complaining didn't get you a pass. My strategy was to give my kids control. When a d where to do it. It not if or how much to do.

[Anonymous]

My first grader has a weekly planner. This helps. He usually has 6 pages of math, one book to read and write on, one short page to read and answer questions on, and 10 spelling words. He loves math and gets the 6 pages done in about30 min. The book was a fight for the first two months, but now he does it on his own rather quickly. It's all about making it part of a routine. It doesn't need to be fun or exciting.

[Anonymous]

^ adding that how long it takes a child should not include the crying, pouting, and stalling. So if your child pouts and complains for 20 minutes and then completes it in 10, the homework took 10 minutes, not 30. Let the child know that the longer they whine, the less time they have for other things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first grader has a weekly planner. This helps. He usually has 6 pages of math, one book to read and write on, one short page to read and answer questions on, and 10 spelling words. He loves math and gets the 6 pages done in about30 min. The book was a fight for the first two months, but now he does it on his own rather quickly. It's all about making it part of a routine. It doesn't need to be fun or exciting.

For the record. This would not have been developmentally appropriate for my son at this age. Not every child can read in first. I do support some homework, particularly developmentally appropriate reading support, but your list would have killed us.

Said son does very well in school now (middle school). Not straight As, but more As than Bs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My first grader has a weekly planner. This helps. He usually has 6 pages of math, one book to read and write on, one short page to read and answer questions on, and 10 spelling words. He loves math and gets the 6 pages done in about30 min. The book was a fight for the first two months, but now he does it on his own rather quickly. It's all about making it part of a routine. It doesn't need to be fun or exciting.

For the record. This would not have been developmentally appropriate for my son at this age. Not every child can read in first. I do support some homework, particularly developmentally appropriate reading support, but your list would have killed us.

Said son does very well in school now (middle school). Not straight As, but more As than Bs.

Sorry if I didn't make it clear - that's a weekly list, not daily. The 6 pages of math aren't due until Thursdays but he gets it done Monday. The book reading and 3 sentences about it are due on Fridays, and he doesn't get it done until Thursday night. Having the homework for the entire week on Monday helps us plan the week and let's him know what is expected.