Anonymous wrote:PreK and kindergarten homework should be limited to things like:

Go outside and count how many bees and butterflies you see. Draw a picture of them pollinating a flower.

Count the numbers of windows and doors in your house. Which number is greater?

Have a grown up help you cook a recipe. How many fractions did you use when cooking? What other types of numbers did you need to know to make your recipe?

Read for 20 minutes and draw a picture about your favorite part of the story. Explain why you liked it, either by writing it and reading what you wrote to a grown up or telling them why you liked the story.
Etc.

Drill and kill worksheets should not be part of homework at that age.

I don't think worksheets have a place in PreK at all, and ideally not in K bit the kinds of assients you propose that not only take time but require parents to take kids to specific locations are absolutely unacceptable.

I think homework has a huge benefit at that age. We got a few worksheets at PK4 - we did it in under 20-30 minutes. In first, we get homework weekly. One science sheet, 3 or so math and either reading, spelling or grammar. It reinforces what is learned at school. If anything, I think kids need more. We supplement with workbooks and see a big difference from when we do them and when we slack off. It really helps with basic math like addition and subtraction and handwriting.

There's a difference between studying and busywork. Most of what kids are assigned for homework is busywork. When kids get to college and they are expected to study with nobody collecting assignments, they often struggle. Elementary homework should be read for minimum of 30 minutes, ideally an hour in upper elementary and probably done math fact practice (but not necessarily by worksheet). Spelling words can be practice by going over them with a parent, no need to do a word search or crossword puzzle. And don't even get me started on teachers who assign students to write every word in a sentence without stipulating quality and approx. length of sentences. I've seen students write the sentence "I am hopeless" as their sentence and they weren't being sarcastic.

Anonymous wrote:Well if studying at home for the inevitable spelling test is a waste of time, I'd love to know how you otherwise go about doing well on it.

Studying at school.

PreK and kindergarten homework should be limited to things like:

Go outside and count how many bees and butterflies you see. Draw a picture of them pollinating a flower.

Count the numbers of windows and doors in your house. Which number is greater?

Have a grown up help you cook a recipe. How many fractions did you use when cooking? What other types of numbers did you need to know to make your recipe?

Read for 20 minutes and draw a picture about your favorite part of the story. Explain why you liked it, either by writing it and reading what you wrote to a grown up or telling them why you liked the story.
Etc.

Drill and kill worksheets should not be part of homework at that age.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well if studying at home for the inevitable spelling test is a waste of time, I'd love to know how you otherwise go about doing well on it.

Spelling tests work about as well as homework when you look at the research. They certainly don't need to be inevitable and many schools don't have them.

Really? which schools? My two kids have collectively been to total of 10 schools between them (we move a lot) and I haven't come across a single one that does not have spelling tests from 1st grade onwards.

I know Waldorf leaves it later - but they do have them.

Our last school followed the no-homework philosophy. It was awesome -- we had a stress-free home, but the lack of homework did not prevent my children from learning. When we moved this year, my kids fit into the new school seamlessly and on par with their peers (though, now they have homework).

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. Homework has some value, one of which is preparing the expectation to do homework. Also, especially in math it does help reinforce the concepts taught in class.

Homework is not "wrecking" schools -- such nonsense and hyperbole. I swear parents today want to coddle kids with their demands for four/five recess and less pressure. Good Lord, expect more from your children. They are capable and want to learn.

+1,000 kids don't learn anything from extra time for play or movement, Good Lord people!

Anonymous wrote:Well if studying at home for the inevitable spelling test is a waste of time, I'd love to know how you otherwise go about doing well on it.

Spelling tests work about as well as homework when you look at the research. They certainly don't need to be inevitable and many schools don't have them.

I think HW has some benefits, but not at pre-k. Instead my son's preschool teacher sends an email with info about what they are learning each week and suggested activities and books.

When they are in elementary, I think parents should be helping with HW to reinforce what they learn in class like math facts, penmanship, letters. I think it is optimistic to think your child is going to grow competent in these skills with no support and reinforcement at home.

HW should be assigned wisely with an understanding of how long it will take to be accomplished. I think so many parents rail against it because they just see it as busy work or taking too long. It has value and creates work habits, time management and organizational skills, but not if the parents are doing it.

If we wait until middle school or high school to start assigning it, I don't see the kids developing independence and the above stated skills or study skills.

Anonymous wrote:I disagree. Homework has some value, one of which is preparing the expectation to do homework. Also, especially in math it does help reinforce the concepts taught in class.

Homework is not "wrecking" schools -- such nonsense and hyperbole. I swear parents today want to coddle kids with their demands for four/five recess and less pressure. Good Lord, expect more from your children. They are capable and want to learn.

I agree. I also think that writing improves greatly with practice. So, I don't have a problem with writing sentences, stories and letters. There isn't enough time in the school day to get everything done.

Well if studying at home for the inevitable spelling test is a waste of time, I'd love to know how you otherwise go about doing well on it.

Pre k homework??? I would leave that school.

I disagree. Homework has some value, one of which is preparing the expectation to do homework. Also, especially in math it does help reinforce the concepts taught in class.

Homework is not "wrecking" schools -- such nonsense and hyperbole. I swear parents today want to coddle kids with their demands for four/five recess and less pressure. Good Lord, expect more from your children. They are capable and want to learn.

Another article citing research supporting there is no benefit from homework in elementary school:
http://www.salon.com/2016/03/05/homework_is_wrecking_our_kids_the_research_is_clear_lets_ban_elementary_homework/

DC comes home weekly with worksheet packets. She's in PK4.

How much HW does your DC have each week and what grade are they in?