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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. Wow, I didn't think it was a lot, truly. When my older child was in K, they had a lot more homework, but the K team has revamped HW and it's much less than it used to be.

Seriously, the short story takes 30 seconds to read, plus 1 two-sided handwriting sheet.  That's it for the week.  Is  that really a lot?  I usually have him do one side on one day and then next side on another day.

To be honest, his handwriting is not good.[b] He's in OT for fine motor skills deficiencies, but should I push back on having him do the worksheets at home?[/b][i][u]

To answer some questions:

1. He's 5 and will be 6 in mid-April.

2. No aftercare.

3. His complaints- some of them don't make sense. He gets mad that his sister is done with her HW before he is, but that's because she sits down and gets it done, instead of complaining, which just drags it out.  He also says it's boring; that's fair.  He's able to do the take home reading easily, as the books are DRA 2 and he's reading at a DRA 5.  [b]The reading specialist wants them to start at a lower level to make reading enjoyable, which makes sense.[/b][/i][/u]

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If he's on OT for fine motor skills deficiencies, the handwriting homework is probably pure torture for him.  Talk to his OT about the best way to improve his handwriting - I almost guarantee it's not through handwriting worksheets.  If you really want homework, get it from the OT and do fun stuff that strengthens his hands - water pouring, bean sorting, polishing, etc (Montessori activities are fantastic for this and can easily be done at home)  And even if actual handwriting is the best practice, a stupid worksheet is a horrid way to teach it.  Have him write a story or a letter to grandmom or the grocery list - something actually meaningful.

And the way to make reading enjoyable is to read enjoyable things!  A short story that takes 30 seconds to read is probably mind-numbingly boring.  Much better to get some actual quality books and read for 10 minutes.

The actual quantity of the homework may not be a lot (although I think anything in K is useless) but the quality is such that it sure sounds miserable to me.
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The primary goal for kindergarten is to set a foundation where your child enjoys school -- and learning, more generally.  You want him to finish the year with a mindset that school is fun.  He enjoys going.  He looks forward to returning for first grade in September.  If he hits that goal, he's on track and you're set.

The secondary goal is to learning specific skills.  Reaches a base level for reading, math and writing by June.  Basic listening and behavioral skills, too.  By June.

That said . . .

Learning to suck it up and complete homework is NOT a legitimate goal for kindergarten, in my opinion.  Some kids will do it willingly, and without undermining the primary goal of enjoying school and the process of learning.  Easy situation.

Other kindergarteners -- many others -- resist homework of any kind.  Even small, easy "assignments".  It's fine.  They're five or six.  Trying to override them at this stage by forcing, bribing or fighting with them will only teach them that school -- and learning -- is something to resist and resent.  It will set a foundation that school is the OPPOSITE of fun.  And something to push back on.

Your child is getting plenty of practice at school.  If the goal is to have him learn the basic skills needed to complete kindergarten successfully, he's on track.  To the extent he's struggling with writing, he has OT.  It's good.

I would talk with the teacher about taking a complete break from "homework" for the next two months.  See how it goes.

There's plenty of time for homework later.  Once he's older and truly needs to supplement in order to keep up.  No need to teach him to hate school at this point.

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