Totally OT- homework in kindergarten
Lesleycali
Posts: 236 Member
in Chit-Chat
So I figured I'd post this here as it is such a vast, diverse group from allover the world. I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this, as well as their experiences.
My 5 year old is in full day kindergarten, so almost 7 hours a day, there is no half day option. He is getting 4 worksheets a night, which sometimes takes 40 minutes. (10 minutes per sheet. The work includes writing letters, writing words, doing counting, simple math, writing numbers etc. ) The school said if your child gets frustrated take a break. If they are still frustrated to stop. When we decided not to do all of it the teacher strongly suggested we do indeed complete 4 sheets a night.
On top of that my son does not have great fine motor skills yet. He can copy letters and knows them by sight but writing is still awkward for him. We are meeting with the teacher next week and she said she will be giving us MORE work to take home to help him.
So we could be looking at an hour of homework. Every night. For a 5 YEAR OLD!!!! This feels really wrong to me. Shouldn't they be digging for worms and making awesome art projects?
What are your kids doing? I would love to know!
Thanks
My 5 year old is in full day kindergarten, so almost 7 hours a day, there is no half day option. He is getting 4 worksheets a night, which sometimes takes 40 minutes. (10 minutes per sheet. The work includes writing letters, writing words, doing counting, simple math, writing numbers etc. ) The school said if your child gets frustrated take a break. If they are still frustrated to stop. When we decided not to do all of it the teacher strongly suggested we do indeed complete 4 sheets a night.
On top of that my son does not have great fine motor skills yet. He can copy letters and knows them by sight but writing is still awkward for him. We are meeting with the teacher next week and she said she will be giving us MORE work to take home to help him.
So we could be looking at an hour of homework. Every night. For a 5 YEAR OLD!!!! This feels really wrong to me. Shouldn't they be digging for worms and making awesome art projects?
What are your kids doing? I would love to know!
Thanks
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Replies
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I totally feel your pain. My kindergartner had two projects week one, and has homework every night. I have 4 other kids and I don't think they had nearly as much homework in kindergarten as he does. Maybe schools are just trying to step their game up to prepare them for the future. Good luck girl.0
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I am so sorry you have to deal with this. I understand the teacher - your kid, all kids, need reinforcement. The more they do it, the easier it gets. But, I feel for you because the time you want to be bonding with your child, you are having to force him to do what he doesn't want or is unable to do. Can you ask the teacher if his math homework be done verbally (he answers the problem, you write it down), and his writing be done for accuracy and not volume (one perfect letter instead of a whole sheet of sloppy letters)? Explain that you understand and respect her point of view, and that your child has some growing to do with his fine motor skills, and until that growth happens, you'd like some compromise regarding homework.
Best wishes!0 -
My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!0
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That sounds a bit excessive considering he has full day kindergarten. My daughter is in 3rd grade now, but she only went to kindergarten for a half day and her homework never took more than 30 minutes.0
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My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!
QFT!0 -
I have a son in full-day kindergarten. So far his homework hasn't taken more than 15-20 minutes...it's usually a single worksheet...plus the nightly reading (that we try to get in most nights)0
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30 minutes of math facts, 20-30 minutes of reading. Last night my youngest (7) had to bring home class work she failed to finish. My eldest also has speech therapy stuff that is assigned, though that is done easily while doing other things. For example this month is to concentrate on the letter sounds she has issues with. One has already done 30 minutes of Khan Academy tonight, and the other is doing a school sponsored site that helps with state standards. My eldest hates to read, my youngest hates math. So it's quite a dramatic drawn out process, but they have to learn it.0
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I'm in college and it's considered a busy night for me if I have to do more than an hour of homework a night. When I was in kindergarden, I had reading each night and maybe a worksheet.0
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My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!
Yes, but we also have unprecedented levels of obesity in children. Meanwhile they are cutting recess time and PE. We also have young adults being medicated for depression, anxiety disorders at increasing levels. Some Scandinavian countries do not start schooling until later, and homework much later. I know these are not the countries that our jobs are going to, but it something to consider. I'm not sure how we fit it "all" in to childhood, but when 5 year olds are at a desk all day, and have very limited time to be physical outside when returning home...I think the balance is tipped too heavily towards academics at such an early age.0 -
I am a kindergarten intervention specialist and I say that is too much. The most they should have is a very short reading assignment and/or maybe a worksheet every once in a while. It should never take more than 20 minutes. All that work at home is not doing anything but causing the students to be frustrated and unmotivated, its just too much.0
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My Kindergartener goes full day and does not get homework. Sometimes she brings worksheets home for practice and she likes doing them because she watches her older brother and sister do their homework and wants to join in and she thinks it is fun. But it's one sheet maybe 2-3 times per week----and it's not required to be turned in.
My older two kids went to full day K at a different school and they would occasionally get one sheet of required homework but not every night.0 -
My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!
Yes, but we also have unprecedented levels of obesity in children. Meanwhile they are cutting recess time and PE. We also have young adults being medicated for depression, anxiety disorders at increasing levels. Some Scandinavian countries do not start schooling until later, and homework much later. I know these are not the countries that our jobs are going to, but it something to consider. I'm not sure how we fit it "all" in to childhood, but when 5 year olds are at a desk all day, and have very limited time to be physical outside when returning home...I think the balance is tipped too heavily towards academics at such an early age.
Hmmm, another example of binary thinking on MFP, i.e. it's academics or physical activity. There is plenty of time for both, and my children are proof of it. As I said, it's a competitive world out there, and it's best to prepare one's children for it.0 -
Homework is a nightmare. My son in Kindergarten had to be read to or read 25 minutes per night, one math worksheet, one spelling sheet, one vocabulary sheet (you look at the word and circle what it means) and this all took at least an hour per night. Thankfully they would give the entire weeks worth at once, get it Monday turn it in Monday, on really good days he could do more leaving only the reading minutes for a few days per week and on bad days, we would leave it for the weekend.0
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Homework is a nightmare. My son in Kindergarten had to be read to or read 25 minutes per night, one math worksheet, one spelling sheet, one vocabulary sheet (you look at the word and circle what it means) and this all took at least an hour per night. Thankfully they would give the entire weeks worth at once, get it Monday turn it in Monday, on really good days he could do more leaving only the reading minutes for a few days per week and on bad days, we would leave it for the weekend.
OMG! An hour each night. Among playing with blocks, video games, and watching TV, how can a child be expected to do homework?! How much time do all the parents here spend on MFP and social media each day? I goof off regularly and still find time to check my kids' homework, and to be honest, my wife does much more than I do.0 -
One hour devoted to studying/ homework is not bad at all. Inconvenient perhaps, but not bad. Kids learn by practice and memorization. If activity is an issue, don't you have time at home to devote to physical activities as well?0
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Homework in the US is nothing compared to how they study in Asian countries. When I was last in the Philippines in 2010, my neice who was in kindergarten was already learning basic addition/subtraction with double digits.
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Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!
Yes, but we also have unprecedented levels of obesity in children. Meanwhile they are cutting recess time and PE. We also have young adults being medicated for depression, anxiety disorders at increasing levels. Some Scandinavian countries do not start schooling until later, and homework much later. I know these are not the countries that our jobs are going to, but it something to consider. I'm not sure how we fit it "all" in to childhood, but when 5 year olds are at a desk all day, and have very limited time to be physical outside when returning home...I think the balance is tipped too heavily towards academics at such an early age.
Hmmm, another example of binary thinking on MFP, i.e. it's academics or physical activity. There is plenty of time for both, and my children are proof of it. As I said, it's a competitive world out there, and it's best to prepare one's children for it.
Well I appreciate your point of view. It is a different perspective than that I have taken, so far. This introduction to public school is a chance for me to grow in my thinking (as well as my son!)
I live in a very outside the box, liberal, creative community in LA. Although our public charter school is ranked among the highest in Southern California, most of my neighbors either homeschool or send their children to very untraditional, loosely structured private schools. So it is good to hear a counterpoint to what I usually hear discussed.0 -
My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!
Yes, but we also have unprecedented levels of obesity in children. Meanwhile they are cutting recess time and PE. We also have young adults being medicated for depression, anxiety disorders at increasing levels. Some Scandinavian countries do not start schooling until later, and homework much later. I know these are not the countries that our jobs are going to, but it something to consider. I'm not sure how we fit it "all" in to childhood, but when 5 year olds are at a desk all day, and have very limited time to be physical outside when returning home...I think the balance is tipped too heavily towards academics at such an early age.
Hmmm, another example of binary thinking on MFP, i.e. it's academics or physical activity. There is plenty of time for both, and my children are proof of it. As I said, it's a competitive world out there, and it's best to prepare one's children for it.
Well I appreciate your point of view. It is a different perspective than that I have taken, so far. This introduction to public school is a chance for me to grow in my thinking (as well as my son!)
I live in a very outside the box, liberal, creative community in LA. Although our public charter school is ranked among the highest in Southern California, most of my neighbors either homeschool or send their children to very untraditional, loosely structured private schools. So it is good to hear a counterpoint to what I usually hear discussed.
My oldest started school in a financial center, exclusive private school that cost more per year than I paid for private graduate school. I now have her in a public magnet school because I want her to have an appreciation for life. I have to be honest that it's taking some time for me to get accustomed to hearing about how overworked these poor children are when they're expected to actually do academic work. I find it a bit laughable. I guess we do need starving actors though.0 -
Homework in the US is nothing compared to how they study in Asian countries. When I was last in the Philippines in 2010, my neice who was in kindergarten was already learning basic addition/subtraction with double digits.
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IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
This year I'm learning WITH my first grader this.....Singapore math. I'm a dumbhead in math as it is, so yeah.
How am I gonna help her with homework?:blushing:0 -
My sentiments exactly! I have those "busy nights" constantly while in college.I'm in college and it's considered a busy night for me if I have to do more than an hour of homework a night. When I was in kindergarden, I had reading each night and maybe a worksheet.0 -
My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!
Yup, this. I only HOPE my children get challenged like this when they reach school age.0 -
My third grader is reading a 200-300 page novel every month. Like it or not, the world is getting more competitive, not less, and the US is falling behind. We can either whine about what kids should be doing or we can push them to be competitive in tomorrow's marketplace. It's totally your call with your kids, but I'm not going to stand idly by and watch my kid lose college placement to students from overseas. Good luck!
Yes, but we also have unprecedented levels of obesity in children. Meanwhile they are cutting recess time and PE. We also have young adults being medicated for depression, anxiety disorders at increasing levels. Some Scandinavian countries do not start schooling until later, and homework much later. I know these are not the countries that our jobs are going to, but it something to consider. I'm not sure how we fit it "all" in to childhood, but when 5 year olds are at a desk all day, and have very limited time to be physical outside when returning home...I think the balance is tipped too heavily towards academics at such an early age.
Kids aren't obese because of cut recess and more class time. Kids are obese because parents and schools are feeding them calorically-dense, nutritionally-bankrupt foods that don't keep them full.0 -
Homework in the US is nothing compared to how they study in Asian countries. When I was last in the Philippines in 2010, my neice who was in kindergarten was already learning basic addition/subtraction with double digits.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
In Montessori kids are learning mathematics in Primary (pre-k). My youngest is in Lower Elementary (1-3) and has already touched on division and fractions. It's a slower ramp up to learning things in a Montessori setting though, and they begin with using materials that help them visualize what they are doing, so by the time they are in upper elementary (4-6) they can largely accomplish problems without the materials being involved.0 -
Our oldest has about 45 minutes of math and a minimum of 20 minutes of required reading a night, every night, in the 3rd grade. When she was in Kindergarten, she had basic math and sight words nightly. She had trouble with sight words, and at the school's request, she was placed in a program for 1 hour reading on Saturday. I could have said no to this, but why? I push my kids academically. My mother pushed me academically.
She's also athletic and had two really good saves as goalie on her soccer team Saturday. Somehow, with 65 minutes of homework every night, she manages soccer practice plus a game a week, swims all the time, plays with her friends on their bikes, still has time for video games, etc.
And 25 minutes of reading to her a night is a privilege. I read to my kids all the time.0 -
My son is 3rd grade and spends probably 2-3 hours a night on homework, plus homework weekends, which is usually studying for tests and quizzes. Kindergarten was about an hour. His nights usually consist of reading (2x to himself 1x out loud to parents), spelling (copy 20 words 3x), Math (writing the entire equation out and showing all work), History, Science & Language assignments and studying for tests or quizzes coming up that week.
I don't complain one bit about any of it because it challenges him and pushes him to use his brain in consistently diverse subjects. The fact that he got a 100% on a science test labeling all of the parts of the inner ear the 2nd week of school impressed me! We have friends who have kids around the same age that are completely lazy about school work and it shows (ummm texting style abbreviations on essays :-/), struggling with easy reader books.
Kids should be challenged. I doubt in kindergarten the teacher will put a lot of weight on correctness, and more on effort. They don't expect the kids to know all of what they send home, or to have perfect handwriting, it is to get them into the routine of homework, as least that is how my sons K teacher was. As the year went on she focused on their work being correct AND effort.0 -
I'm in college and it's considered a busy night for me if I have to do more than an hour of homework a night. When I was in kindergarden, I had reading each night and maybe a worksheet.
My husband must be in the wrong college then, because he spends 8+ hours doing work, reading, and studying for the lone course he has this semester. He's currently at a community college and will be going to the local university this spring (hopefully, if all the transfers go through). I suspect his workload will increase as he moves through his bachelors and masters. I don't even want to consider if he does go for his doctorate. He'd be at university with our kids.
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One hour devoted to studying/ homework is not bad at all. Inconvenient perhaps, but not bad. Kids learn by practice and memorization. If activity is an issue, don't you have time at home to devote to physical activities as well?
Well like anything it's a matter of adjusting to the new, not my strongest suit. We are extremely active on the weekends, doing 5+ mile hikes in the hills, swimming in the ocean. I need to figure out what works for us during school days. Of course it can be done; I was one of those people 6 months ago who said "oh my how oh how can I find time exercise. I'm a busy little mommy lol." But look 6 months later and I've been consistently exercising 6 days a week, reaching new running speeds and lengths. And so, judging by the numerous responses on this thread, we probably can fit play and work in 0 -
So I figured I'd post this here as it is such a vast, diverse group from allover the world. I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this, as well as their experiences.
My 5 year old is in full day kindergarten, so almost 7 hours a day, there is no half day option. He is getting 4 worksheets a night, which sometimes takes 40 minutes. (10 minutes per sheet. The work includes writing letters, writing words, doing counting, simple math, writing numbers etc. ) The school said if your child gets frustrated take a break. If they are still frustrated to stop. When we decided not to do all of it the teacher strongly suggested we do indeed complete 4 sheets a night.
On top of that my son does not have great fine motor skills yet. He can copy letters and knows them by sight but writing is still awkward for him. We are meeting with the teacher next week and she said she will be giving us MORE work to take home to help him.
So we could be looking at an hour of homework. Every night. For a 5 YEAR OLD!!!! This feels really wrong to me. Shouldn't they be digging for worms and making awesome art projects?
What are your kids doing? I would love to know!
Thanks
I personally think that is too much homework for a 5 year old kindergarten student, especially this early in the year. I have a son that just started kindergarten and he's one of the younger kids in his class. He's not on the same maturity level as a lot of the other students in his class and he has a terrible time focusing. He has one worksheet a night that takes anywhere from 5-20 minutes, then about 10 minutes of practicing sight words, then a book at bed time. We spread it out to keep him from getting too frustrated.
Maybe you could express your concerns to the teacher when you meet him/her? Not every kid is cut out for the work right away and pushing them to the point of tears and frustration is only going to give the child a negative opinion of school. I spoke about my concerns with our family Pediatrician and he suggested not to worry about anything before the 1st quarters end or possibly even beyond. Boys tend to have a more difficult time sitting still in a classroom or doing homework and it takes them time to learn that skill.0 -
Homework is a nightmare. My son in Kindergarten had to be read to or read 25 minutes per night, one math worksheet, one spelling sheet, one vocabulary sheet (you look at the word and circle what it means) and this all took at least an hour per night. Thankfully they would give the entire weeks worth at once, get it Monday turn it in Monday, on really good days he could do more leaving only the reading minutes for a few days per week and on bad days, we would leave it for the weekend.
That sounds about right. Every Monday we get a stapled packet in Savannah's take home folder. There's usually four double sided sheets that vary in activities- math, writing, vocabulary, ect, and a small book for her to read. She's to finish it and turn it in by Friday. The Family Reading Night we went to last night was for Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades, and they explained to us that we needed to spend at least 20 minutes a day/evening with our children reading to them, and allowing them to read at their level to help them.0
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