Fractions at 7.30am !!!!!!

Perhaps the most creative efforts of my children were in finding excuses: to me for why they hadn't any homework, or their teachers for why they hadn't done what was set. They were very good at both. So homework probably does serve a purpose but perhaps not the one it was actually set for. (My 3 DSs have 3 ordinary degrees and 2 Masters, with one working for his Masters now, so they haven't done too badly without doing all the homework!)

We look after DGD Sunday and Monday nights and do the "school Run" Monday, Tuesday while DD is working in London. Neither of my parents helped me with my HW and I was reluctant to help DD or DS with theirs as like some of you I believe responsibility should be taught at an early age. I passed my 11+ and both children have done well at Uni/College etc. However, I do feel I should encourage DGD to have a go with reading and spellings etc. But I find that she prefers to make up her own HW and does a lot more on her own if not pressed. As she is only 6 I think this is preferable to nagging her just so something is written in the HW diary. There will be more than enough pressure when she goes to secondary school.

I agree about hw for young children not being of benefit- but this has nothing to do with this thread through- so perhaps best to open another one for this.

Certainly do not think it would be a good idea to encourage children no to do it- as a sort of boycott. Parents should get together and discuss this with the staff and head, and Governors. In my experience though, many parents have put pressure on primary schools to give regular homework, and think it is a mark of a good school.

My point is about taking responsability for one's actions- the earlier the better- and also that children who do not have caring parents or grand-parents to help them remember and achieve- will have no choice at all.

DH (retired maths teacher) wasn't happy about the clarity of a worksheet DGS had to do recently. DD and I both struggled to understand it too. DGS is only 7! I am against homework for young children too, as I don't think it has much value, though sometimes, perhaps just initially, the children feel quite grown-up about it.

I agree with granjura - need to learn that it is their responsibility and actions - or non actions - have consequences, a lesson in Life.

Also agree with Luckygirl. they have homework far too young these days, in the case of two of my DGCs from day one at 4 years old! DD is rigid about it. I think it is appalling but help to save the poor little things too much stress. Reading at an appropriate moment is one thing, but things like spellings at half term etc is ridiculous. Quite like doing projects that go on for a few weeks as they are usually of the creative or researching kind.

20 minutes homework when they reach 9 is quite early enough.

When he was young, DS2 announced one morning that he was one of the three Kings in the school nativity later that day. It seems from a recent remark he made, that he still blames me for not being able to rustle up a full Royal outfit on my way out to work!

Wonderful, aren't they?

When I say purposefully I mean not drooping about saying 'I'm bored, what can I do'

All current research suggests primary homework is rather a waste as it does not appear to make a difference to long term outcomes! I think occasional 'see what you can find out about...' is OK and reading but "learning spellings" does not make poor spellers good spellers! They tend to forget v. quickly and often do not apply when writing.

Better that kids learn to use 'unstructured' time purposefully. Many kids have so much organised for them in after school care clubs etc. that some find it hard to manage free time!

DGD had her Roald Dahl project to finish tonight, so we have had a full on homework club

kitty we have had another try this afternoon in the calm and we both manage really well now I have hit 60 he must think the grey matter needed stirred up a bit

glass, he just cares so much about you that he wants to keep your brain active!!

J52 ditto with DS!
Although both grannies have been known to help with half-term homework which required quite a lot of effort and indeed a couple of trips out. What would happen if the DGC were with a childminder and the homework didn't get done?

When my sons were at state secondary school in Switzerland, they had quite a lot of homework plus very frequent subject tests. If they didn't maintain a certain standard over the term, they received a warning, and if it continued the next term they could be moved down a year, or go to a lower level school. Because of this, they got into the habit of doing work when it was set, instead of forgetting about it as they had done in England. Consequently, any work they had in 6th form college and uni was done well before the due date because that was what they were used to doing!

Please don't get me onto the subject of primary school homework! Whenever do they get to be just children?

it's parents that want HW, not the teachers. As you say, a whole other debate.

My point is about teaching responsibility for one's actions, and consequences- and softly, softly, they should learn from a young age. Over-protecting them is not good in the long-term /(my opinion of course, and you may disagree. Parents want more and more results nowadays, but will not let children fail at all, nor allow teachers to deal as sensitively as poss with consequences). In my view, a recipe for disaster- again my view, as a parent, a grand-mother and a retired teacher.

I remember DS trying to teach me ( again!) fractions as a very mature student; losing it completely and shouting'Will you stop looking out of the window and pay attention!!!'

A whole other debate (that we may have had before) but I really fail to see the need for homework in primary school. Surely small children should be playing and doing other things.

Indeed- of course we all help- especially with young children. One of the things DD1 does with the children is to go through the HW diary and ensure it's been done before they go to bed. But... perhaps from time to time it won't do the GCs much harm to remind them to take some responsibility for themselves to some extent, even if it means getting into a bit of trouble and having to face consequences. We are not talking about beaten (as my father would have been) or spend 1 hour or 2 behing after school (as I and you probably would have been, or at lunchtime if bused). How else will our GC learnt about being responsible if we wrap them up in cotton wool, within reason. They won't get away with it in adult life- and it will cost them dear, lose them their job even.

J52- yep, secondary and 6th form and HW tested the nerves, didn't they?
But I was so amazed when DD1 told us when she got to Uni that all her friends she shared a flat, then a house with- were totally unable to manage their time and hand in stuff on time- as they'd all gone to private schools where they had to do supervised HW all the time. She said they were so used to someone literally 'sitting on them until it was done' they just didn't have a clue how to organise themselves. That felt good.

A classic case of "don't do what I do did, do what I say" J52

I think we can all be a little guilty of that sometimes.

DS 2 always left anything to do with homework, requirements for school, to the last moment. It was worse when he was in secondary school and supposed to Manage his own time!

It makes me smile to hear him talk about the need to get homework done on time with his own DD!

x

He managed round half before the other routine morning stuff had to be done so he will be in trouble that he didn't finish it.

Then I bent DD ear by Whatsapp about doing homework on time

I am like Gilly if I am with the DGC when homework is to be done I sit and guide if needed, as they are not quite at the age where they can be left to carry out what is required which was proved right this morning.

I couldn't do that granjura too cruel and would only result in my DGD getting into trouble with an already miserable old git of a supply teacher !

I wouldn't dream of doing DGD's homework for her but I do like to sit with her/encourage her while she does it (something my parents would never have done).

fractions at 7.30 would be enough to make me fractious !

But, the best lesson for him would have been for you to say 'you didn't do your HW- so now you face the music' - they have to learn to take responsibility for their actions and consequences.

I dont mind the calls about homework but its the ones that ask' Nana , its World Book Day tomorrow and I want to go as an Octopus/ Cat / Dr Seuss ' that always send me into a tizz !!

Sadly neither DD can sew so its down to Nana ! I don't mind the costume but a little more notice would help

My DD is full involved in the children's homework. She will say "Got to go now, got homework to do!" and I always say "Whose homework is this!?"