In my experience, AAP or non-AAP has nothing to do with the amount of homework. Some teachers (both AAP and Gen Ed) give lots of homework, and others don't. The other factor is whether a child is well placed in terms of ability.

for sure, there are kids in my son's AAP class who struggle with the material more than others. I have found that the homework he has is minimal (10-20 minutes per night). But, I think this teacher doesn't give a lot of homework, and most of it isn't too challenging for my son. I know of another child in his class who is less good at math, and I think the homework is harder for him and takes more time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my dc center the homework is light. Maybe 20 or 30 min? It is hard to remember 3rd as now 6 th. Homework has never been an issue and often either does at school or on the bus ( as ride is a bit longer than base school.)

I don't think it is the homework amount but the child. Even AAP kids have issues. If you talk to my friend, you would think our kids are at different schools. Mine can sit to task and get it done, hers cannot, so homework takes a lot of time. Both are in aap.

I have one at base just like my friend's dc so I know what she is dealing with. Some kids can just " get it done" with no parental help or nashing of teeth (dc 1) and one cannot (dc2 and lots of nashing

Again, I think it is more the child than the amount. The one in aap swims, plays an instrument, does scouts... is busier than I would like but all asked for by dc. Great grades. The other, limited activities, as everything takes a long time and this child likes to be home. Good grades but we have to monitor everything.

I agree with this. I am in a similar dilemma as the OP. It is like pulling teeth to make my DC do his homework. Things that he can do in his sleep take forever because he wants to play. And anything that has extensive writing is just plain painful. He is in the pool and now I feel like a bad mother for thinking of myself and the hours of frustration that AAP homework is going to create. On top of it, we like to keep our kids in a lot of extracurricular activities, I think exercise is extremely important. From talking to other moms I know that a lot of kids finish the same homework on the bus all on their own. It's such a dilemma, especially since he is such a smart kid with and most likely belongs in AAP.

What if you left him alone to do his homework? He might realize he just needs to get it done. I realize this means taking a chance with grades during this period. Then you can find out what he is truly capable of. At some point, as he matures, something should click and he will start taking homework a little more seriously. AAP generally does not mean more work, but possibly a little more in depth work when it is there.
Many kids in AAP handle multiple extra curricular activities.

Anonymous wrote:At my dc center the homework is light. Maybe 20 or 30 min? It is hard to remember 3rd as now 6 th. Homework has never been an issue and often either does at school or on the bus ( as ride is a bit longer than base school.)

I don't think it is the homework amount but the child. Even AAP kids have issues. If you talk to my friend, you would think our kids are at different schools. Mine can sit to task and get it done, hers cannot, so homework takes a lot of time. Both are in aap.

I have one at base just like my friend's dc so I know what she is dealing with. Some kids can just " get it done" with no parental help or nashing of teeth (dc 1) and one cannot (dc2 and lots of nashing

Again, I think it is more the child than the amount. The one in aap swims, plays an instrument, does scouts... is busier than I would like but all asked for by dc. Great grades. The other, limited activities, as everything takes a long time and this child likes to be home. Good grades but we have to monitor everything.

I agree with this. I am in a similar dilemma as the OP. It is like pulling teeth to make my DC do his homework. Things that he can do in his sleep take forever because he wants to play. And anything that has extensive writing is just plain painful. He is in the pool and now I feel like a bad mother for thinking of myself and the hours of frustration that AAP homework is going to create. On top of it, we like to keep our kids in a lot of extracurricular activities, I think exercise is extremely important. From talking to other moms I know that a lot of kids finish the same homework on the bus all on their own. It's such a dilemma, especially since he is such a smart kid with and most likely belongs in AAP.

My child had less homework in 3rd grade AAP than 2nd grade.

Correction is for post at 14:50 above, sorry.

*there* may be specific science or social science lessons

At my dc center the homework is light. Maybe 20 or 30 min? It is hard to remember 3rd as now 6 th. Homework has never been an issue and often either does at school or on the bus ( as ride is a bit longer than base school.)

I don't think it is the homework amount but the child. Even AAP kids have issues. If you talk to my friend, you would think our kids are at different schools. Mine can sit to task and get it done, hers cannot, so homework takes a lot of time. Both are in aap.

I have one at base just like my friend's dc so I know what she is dealing with. Some kids can just " get it done" with no parental help or nashing of teeth (dc 1) and one cannot (dc2 and lots of nashing

Again, I think it is more the child than the amount. The one in aap swims, plays an instrument, does scouts... is busier than I would like but all asked for by dc. Great grades. The other, limited activities, as everything takes a long time and this child likes to be home. Good grades but we have to monitor everything.

I think the time left for non-academic activities depends on the efficiency of the child. DC has basically 30 minutes of reading plus 30-60 minutes of other homework Monday through Thursday. But if the child procrastinates and it is like pulling teeth to get him or her to do anything, the time could easily expand to the entire evening. There is often some type of assignment over the weekend. That should take no more than 30 to 60 minutes, but again if the child doesn't willingly and efficiently get things done, it could take longer.

With missing school for 4 to 5 days, I think it could be difficult no matter what the grade, AAP or not. Aside from basic reading and math that parents can help with, their may be specific science or social science lessons that parents can't readily re-create at home. I don't think it's any more difficult with AAP than non-AAP. Either way you would have to work to fill in the blanks with your child, for subject matter you may never have learned yourself, or hope that your child has a helpful teacher to get him or her back up to speed.

I really think that this depends on the school/teacher. My son gets very little homework in 3rd grade AAP (usually one math sheet/night - no more than 30 minutes 99% of the time), as the teacher said that she recognizes the children have lives outside of school. This is a center. My friend whose child stayed at our base for LLIV has much more homework than my son. It seems like they're always doing book reports at home when my son works on those during class time.

I wouldn't want my son to miss 4-5 days of school, as I think it would be a lot of work to make up, but that's something that happens and isn't predictable. It's nothing to worry about right now.

1. Compared to second grade, how much is the homework in 3rd grade for AAP? That is, how many hours typically does a AAP student spend on homework every evening?

2. I have heard parents complain that AAP is very demanding so there is no time for kids to play soccer, basketball (one practice during a weeknight and one game on Saturday). Is that true or just an exaggeration?

3. If a child in AAP falls sick and misses school for 4-5 days, how difficult is it for him/her to catch up?

Please advise. I would like to make a decision on whether to send my son to AAP while he's in the pool, rather than bias myself AFTER he gets in (in case, he does).

Thanks,
RZ