Eeeek! Too much homework for Kindergartener!

[whitequeen96]

OK, I'll admit I'm an old fogey, and that things were different when I went to Kindergarten, over 40 years ago. (You were just supposed to be able to find the bathroom, follow instructions, and use kiddie scissors. It was a plus if you didn't cry too often.)

But I can't believe how much homework my Kindergartener has! He has mild autism, so he's in a special class of 8 students, mixed Kinder. and 1st grade. The teacher sends home his homework on Monday, and it's due on Friday, giving us 4 nights to do it. This week, he got 50 (yes, FIFTY!!!) addition problems (ex: 12+2=?), a list of 16 words where he had to circle the mistakes (in upper or lower case letters), a list of 30 3-letter words, where he is supposed to fill in the vowel that should go in the middle, and more! He had 8 pages of homework, with 3 of them being the 50 math problems.

Is this what all Kindergarteners are getting these days? Good grief, we didn't even start math until the second grade! I know I should be grateful that they think he is capable of it, but it seems so excessive. I asked the teacher about it (just to make sure she didn't think he was in 1st grade), and she said that's what is called for in the curriculum.

I think it's very important that kids learn to enjoy school in the early grades, as well as establish a feeling of competence. I can't stand to hear my little guy saying he doesn't want to go to school because "I don't want to do all that paperwork!"

So tell me, Moms, is this normal in your schools?


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[cujo0123]

I am not a mother but I think it is a good thing. I was reading when I was 2. In kindergarten I was reading at a middle school level. I was way ahead of everyone but I thought learning that was fun. During naptime for the other students I would stay up and work on harder stuff while they slept. I ended up skipping 1st grade. I think children are behind when they get into school. The older we get the harder it is to learn so to me it makes sense to teach kids at a younger age. If a child can master 2 languages by 3 or 4 they can master basic math problems by 3 or 4 too.

As for homework, I don't like it. I think a couple of problems is plenty. If the child is having difficulty the parent should make more for the child to do until they understand. That way the parent can give special attention in the weaker areas and make the child an all around better student.


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[ILoveElf]

I asked my MIL(a retired k-2nd grade teacher) and she said that is less than she gave the kids in her class but it is what is called for by most schools.She said the goal is to give the kids half an hour to an hour of one on one learning time with Mom, Dad or someone who cares for them.Why so they learn that education is valued at home and a parent can notice if their child needs help or if the work is too easy for them.Not only does the homework provide extra time on task, teachers get feedback from parents on how they feel their child is doing with the homework.
My DS is in a teacher guided home-school program over the computer.He gets lots of homework.He also gets to work at his level in each area so the homework is challenging but not overwhelming to him.
So as long as your son is doing well with the amount of work, praise him for a job well done.If it seems too much for him talk with his teacher about cutting back or getting him help with study skills.The study skills he builds now will help him down the road when things get harder.Since he is doing well in a combo class with 1st graders he is smart.


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[luvmetender]

Originally posted by whitequeen96


I think it's very important that kids learn to enjoy school in the early grades, as well as establish a feeling of competence. I can't stand to hear my little guy saying he doesn't want to go to school because "I don't want to do all that paperwork!"

So tell me, Moms, is this normal in your schools?


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It's not normal here. Not in the private schools or the public schools. I agree with you, homework is not necessary for kindergarteners.

[kells3]

I also have a child in kindergarten and one in first and that is not normal homework for a child in kindergarten. My dd (kindergarten) gets about 5 pages on Monday that have to be done by friday. A couple pages are the letter they are working on that week upper case and lower case. Then 3 work sheets. No math problems, and since they are not reading yet nothing about finding the correct spelling of words.

My first grade ds also gets a packet of work on Monday to be turned in on Friday. Usually 5 papers with at least 3 math papers which he loves, and 1 spelling paper and 1 writing paper which he hates. He also brings home little books everyday to read to me.


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[Juliannaluv]

My oldest is in 6th grade and has 1-2 hours each night. I think 1 hour is enough given parents' work schedules & the childrens' after school activities as well.

My youngest is in second grade, and the homework that would take an average child 1/2 hour takes him about 5 minutes. He's an excellent reader and also excels in math. For me, his homework is not a problem.

I think the balance is okay right now, but as the children get older, our schools are making budget cust and more & more of the work seems to be coming home instead of being done in school.

The homework your child is getting, whitequeen, is too much, especially with mild autism. It would even be a lot for a child who is not autistic.

[billsmrs]

Well my daughter is in the 3rd grade and she averages about 3 hours of homework every night. I think it is ridiculous!! I have always said that they give too much homework for elementary students. Middle and hgh school I can see but elementary?! The teachers should know that at that age they just can't concentrate that long without getting frustrated! My daughter and husband are usually at each other's throats when it comes time for homework. She is already tired from being at school and trying to get her to concentrate at night is next to impossible!!

[freesurfer]

My kindergartener just read me a Dr. Suess book last night!! Crazy~!~


She's been adding numbers for about 2 months now!


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[sblme28]

my brother gets about 2 worksheets a night and he's in kindergarten. usually one simple math worksheet (adding etc.) and one phonics worksheet (rhyming, etc.)

i think that is a fair amount...he finishes them in record time...not sure how long it takes the other kids...


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[Brenda2000]

Originally posted by Juliannaluv
My oldest is in 6th grade and has 1-2 hours each night. I think 1 hour is enough given parents' work schedules & the childrens' after school activities as well.

My youngest is in second grade, and the homework that would take an average child 1/2 hour takes him about 5 minutes. He's an excellent reader and also excels in math. For me, his homework is not a problem.

[/size]

That's about the same for us.

My fifth grader has been trying to get most of her homework assignments done at school so when she gets home she can "relax".
She also has a book report due every month.... and she just finished an "ancestor country" report that was to be four fifths of her grade for the quarter. Now, she has a report due on March 14 for music...a "composer report" on Mozart. They seem to get a lot of work. Plus, they have CSAP testiing coming up.

My second grader hardly ever gets homework. When she does, it's usually reading. The teacher recently assigned a simple state report for each child to do. Three kids in the class were chosen to do two reports, because they are over-acheivers.
Naturally, my daughter was one of the "lucky" three who got to do two reports....


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[slmlmlel]

OMG is this what I have to look forward to in Sept. When my daughter goes to kindergarden. And on top of it all I live in Oregon where we are having alot of problems with the education budget. We are going to loose 24 days form the school year this year. Making spring break 2 weeks and letting kids out of school on may10th. That also means the teachers loose all that pay. Our teachers have voted to strike on March 10th if a offer is not on the table. And what offer they have right now is okay but, the money is not set in stone. It still has to be approved by the business owners because it is them that are going to be paying a higher tax. Boy home schooling is looking really good right about now. My only draw back is my daughter needs friends and kids her own age to play with.


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[3tbear]

I think we started math in the first grade, it was never Kindergarten. Back when I went to Kindergarten we just painted pictures, sang songs, played with doll houses. It's so different these days, the schooling starts so much younger, and the amount of homework is massive compared to when I went.


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[KathrynJB]

Unfortunately, it's becoming more "normal", but it is developmentally inappropriate. Five year olds are supposed to play most of their time...it's how they are hard-wired to learn.

This is just scary

[luvmetender]

Originally posted by freesurfer
My kindergartener just read me a Dr. Suess book last night!! Crazy~!~


She's been adding numbers for about 2 months now!


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My kids were able to do that too, but it was from what they learned at home, not from homework. This is just my opinion... while I think homework might be enjoyed by some kids, most 5 year olds don't have the attention span or self-discipline to do it. I think it's important to instill a love of learning to kids at the earliest possible age. Homework that is excessive is a turn-off.

[cata5]

No homework here for kindergarteners!

My 5th grader doesn't even have much homework...


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