Homework Vent
I try to be a supportive mom. Generally, I don’t have too many complaints about homework besides the fact that I don’t think kids under 6th grade should have so much daily homework. But I understand (don’t agree with but understand) the insane push for kids to know more stuff to “test” on standardized testing…so they’re not left behind (whatever)…and there are just only so many hours in a school day. Teachers simply can’t get to it all with enough time to master it. So daily reviews are sent home to try to accomplish what has been lost due to all the new programs and content implemented. But today I’m venting because this is ridiculous.
Two years ago I was blown away with the regiment of daily homework sent home with my then first grade daughter. By the second week of school she was supposed to have already mastered 20-30 sight words and the list grew by 10 each week after that and that was only her phonetic homework. I kept shaking my head repeating to myself “She’s only 6!” The next year was better with homework generally being the spelling list (her teacher was a mother of two kids about the same age and I think that made all the difference in the world.) This year we’ve struck a balance because she’s become more independent. So while she still brings a lot home, it’s been easier because she does it mostly on her own.
Thankfully, her teacher removed one of the daily reading homework items because the new math homework is immense. Usually, she walks through the door, sits down at the kitchen table and tackles her homework, which I have to say is so wonderful because it’s a great habit and she’s a trooper with it. Usually she’s done her spelling, reading and math within about 20-25 minutes. Today she’s been hard at work since she walked through the door at 3:30 and it was 4:45 before she finished. And that doesn’t count for the time we need to review and practice the skills she’s trying to master like math facts and writing.
She was so discouraged that it was already nearly dark and too close to dinner to play with friends all because it took her so long to do her homework. Her math homework the past 5 weeks has been a multiplication packet of 20 pages consisting of various multiplication problems and techniques. She knows she has to do 5 a day to have it done by Friday. I simplified things for her by helping her devise a system to easily find the answers through number families we created using index cards and envelopes but it’s still time consuming. And today, she asked for my help with some story problems at the bottom of one page…and well…all heck broke lose.
I’m an educated adult. I may not be a genius but I’m savvy. For the life of me I could not figure out what they wanted her to do. I re-read the entire sequence 5 times and finally said we’d wait for dad to get home - maybe he could figure it out. I was SO frustrated! If I can’t figure out how they want something done then it’s beyond ridiculous for a 9 year old. The stupid thing was that it was basic multiplication, but the way it was worded was absolutely cryptic. I’m still torqued that I spent as much time as I did trying to figure it out only to come up blank.
Enough is enough. Kids need time to be kids. Parent shouldn’t need to be rocket scientists to figure out a stupid worksheet or problem. You know what? If I’d spent half that much time just reviewing memorization of the math fact families we’d have been several steps ahead of where we are right now. I’m so frustrated with the waste of time and energy on homework that means NOTHING. Thankfully, this is supposed to be the last week of these big math packets. But seriously, I am so fed up with elementary homework and brain bender story problems I could scream. And seeings how that is an inappropriate thing to do with a napping 4 year old I’ll blog instead!
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Oh, I remember the whoa’s of math. The word problems are the worst.. one word read incorrectly wreaks havoc on the problem. That’s why I always failed in math. (go dyslexia!) I know someday I’ll be sharing this problem with you and I hope my kids will be able to have a great tutor (that isn’t me). Good luck, I’m glad it all ends soon. Maybe the “No Child Left Behind” act that Bush put into place will go out the door with him next year!
It’s so fun to hear from you. Hope all is well at your house! Story problems are all about wording and even my husband shared my frustration when he got home at the ones in today’s set of pages!! And he loves solving story problems.
Comment by Vicky — January 10, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
I read this post with growing sympathy frustration. I am math-challenged, so it’s really tough for me to try and help Ashlyn with her Algebra II. There are things I see her doing now, in all of her classes, that I didn’t even do in college. I understand that we seemingly “need” to advance, but we’re doing so by creating stress on our kids and they don’t have time to be kids. I so totally am behind you on this one. It’s insane.
I wish the government and organizations making the decisions on how to proceed with education would focus more energies on the right motivation - get our country innovating again instead of trying to regulate and force learning styles/standards across the board.
Comment by tiggerprr — January 10, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
I have yet to experience this… but it’s coming I know. I am already trying to get Anna used to the concept of homework to prepare her. She’s only in kindergarten, but loves to practice handwriting and math. I try to implement some math into every day situations.. I can only imagine what it will be like next year.
They expect so much more from kids now . That’s why I wanted to get Anna used to being in school before she starts and extra activities outside of school. Next year she can play a sport or something, but not this year.
All I can say is it’s a good thing we don’t know what we’re getting into when we have kids or none of us would do it! And it’s a darn good thing the rewards are immeasurable to compensate for everything else!! LOL
Comment by Mary (Mert) — January 11, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
ITA!!! My son is just in the 2nd grade and gets about 1hr. worth of homework a night!! Heck he will be learning how to multiply soon and darn it I just think he mastered how to Carry the Darn (1) and thats only on a good day.
I remember when my oldest (now 19) went to Kindy and they would sit in the circle and have circle time, story time, free play an dcolor time. Now they are rushing to get them to Read, Add and subtract. Hey, what about play, sharing and all that good stuff.
OK, OK dont get me started but as you can see its a soft topic for me.
Isaac is a GREAT Kid and is approaching his Green Belt in Tae Kwon Do and I believe a kid should be a kid and have time to be just that.
I am not saying education isnt important, because we ALL know it is but… C’mon.. what 7yo is gonna sit still for 1 hr. straight and each day and tackle homework AFTER a full 6hr day?
Sheesh.
Aurelia
Sheesh is right! Glad to know I’m not the only one that it’s bugg’n!! ;o)
Comment by Aurelia — January 11, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
I found your blog surfing through Young Women websites. I am a teacher and have taught in NJ and now in Ontario. I support your belief that an hour of homework for a grade 3 child is way too much and really cuts into kid time. When I taught in NJ, there was a board policy limiting the amount of homework teachers could assign…10 minutes per grade (10 grade 1, 20 grade 2, etc.) You shouldn’t hesitate to approach the teacher first about limiting the homework, and if she says she has to give that much, talk to the principal the board. here is a great site run by some NY state parents upset about the whole process of preparing and testing kids to meet Pres. Bush’s standards. http://www.browniethecow.org
Hi Lisa - so glad you found me and left a comment! What a great resource. Thanks for sharing!!
Comment by Lisa — January 13, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
ohhhh - this is all waiting for me. i just registered my son for kindergarten this week. so come Sept we will be entering this world!!
Well, at least you’re in great company. The best part of the journey is knowing you’re not alone!! ;o)
Comment by Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) — January 13, 2007 @ 6:05 pm