Is it just me, or does anyone else feel that homework has gotten out of hand? Our kids spend 6 hours of "instructional" time in the classroom. While I understand that many teachers spend a great deal of time having to discipline students, it makes me upset. Rightly, if all discipline problems aside, teaching a lesson could be done in about 20 minutes, then students could do work in the classroom.

For my kids, I feel like going to school is their "JOB." They shouldn't have to do more work when they
get home. Of course, that opens another door -- why do some parents feel like schools have to provide
special education classes/benefits for their children who have problems with authority/aggression/etc.?

I'm frustrated. Do chime in ...

They way I look at it, Not all kids learn alike. Yes, we may set aside 30 min for spelling but it may take a few or ALL kids longer to get the work done. I can't talk for all teachers because my class is totally different. I have to plan for each child and their learning. I have Severe Autistic, OCD, wheelchair, Bio-polar, and lower and higher functioning Asperger, etc...

Teachers have to plan week to week what they are going to teach and introduce into the classroom. Those planners go to the principle weekly.
The only homework we give is usually spelling. Remember I have middle school, Multiple Handicap class, grades 6-8.
I have to discipline every day, but that is my class.

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"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

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Yes, I think that it is a bit out of hand... depending on the teacher. The teachers do feel extremely pressured by Principals who feel pressure from higher up (and don't forget; standardized test scores! and No Child Left Behind).

This year's teacher is more laid back than last years's teacher. My son said that she gives them a few minutes in the afternoon to start (and sometimes finish!) homework. He loves her and I think that it will be a great year once he comes down off of his memories of last year's heavy homework load. He and I both have really bad memories of that and so it will take some time to forget!!!

5th grade -- he starts school at 8:40 in the morning, lunch/recess, dismiss at 3:15. Long *work* day for a kid who is a high-achiever with special needs.

I agree the homework load has gotten out of hand. My DD in kindergarten had homework that would sometimes take her hours. Some nights it was such a struggle to get it all done. They need some time to go outside and play. No wonder kids are fat. I know that so much rests on the kids scores but they are kids. On the other hand I do like to be able to see for myself how she is progressing. I like to see where she is exceling and where she is having more trouble. I feel like I might be able to give her some extra help or explain things a little differently than the teacher which might help. So to summarize ... I think some is good but they are loading them up beyond what's reasonable.

What irritates me the most is what might take one student 15 min to complete may take another student 45 min to complete. With four core subjects, homework can get out of control in a heartbeat.

I agree with too much homework. My dd goes to the learning center at school also (in my day it was the resource room-extra help for kids with issues). So on top of whatever her regular teacher gives her, she has homework from the other room as well. It took her at least 30 min. just to write a couple sentences with her spelling words that should only take 10 tops. And it was weekly. On top of all the regular tests to study for, special projects, and reading logs you are left with time to eat and sleep. And everyone wonders why I only let her take one gymnastics class plus Brownies during the school year.

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This years homework is MUCH better then last. My kids usually get most of it done on the bus. DS1 started the year with homework that took way too long. I complained and he gets less now. He doesn't get home until after 4. Then its homework, clarinet practice, eat, shower, read and bed. There is no time to play outside. I do understand when the teachers send home unfinished school work. I don't have a problem with that.

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My girls had their first day of school yesterday and HOMEWORK last night. I really hate homework within the first week of school. We're trying to adjust to the schedule again, the work load, etc. and then to have to spend time doing homework. My kids are tired and it makes doing homework that much harder and takes them longer. My 3rd grader had 20 spelling words that had to be put in ABC order. Poor girl usually has no trouble with this task but last night it was pure torture for her. My oldest had very little homework.
I agree that kids go to school 6+ hrs a day and then to have to come home and work more....crazy to me. I don't mind it sometimes but with many teachers now they have the same homework each day of the week. For example, spelling on Mondays will be ABC order, Tuesdays write each word 3X, etc. So, the teachers aren't even trying to fit the work into the school day, IMO. On the flip side, I'm not a teacher and haven't walked a mile in their shoes so maybe I would feel differently if I were to be a teacher. And I try hard to never act negatively about homework around my kids. They have to do it.

Wow, my class has spelling on Mondays, ABC order and write each word 10x. They usually have a total of 20 words a week. Now mind you, it takes them 2 hours to do all this. what is not done in class is homework. Heck, half of them it takes all week to get them in ABC order. They do have all week to get a good grade, but they will take the spelling test everyday until Friday to get a 100 %. My kids learn and they love learning, but it takes us MUCH longer to get tasks completed!

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"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

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I got seriously flamed last time this subject came up but I'll say that I am not in favor of homework

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My DS usually has an hour max, and usually its more like 30 minutes. Sounds like we have gotten lucky!

If there is a project going on, it can take longer, but that is not all the time. I have also learned to make him do it at the kitchen table or he will not stay focused. I fix dinner while he is working on it, so if he needs anything or is not focusing on his work, I am right there. I normally have him do it all as soon as he gets home, if he has a lot, I sometimes give him a 15-20 minute break outside and then have him finish.

Last year, my 2nd grader had 12 words first semester and 15 second semester(I think I'm remembering this correctly). They had spelling homework on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. They took their spelling test on Friday. One of those days was ABC order + 3X each, one day was sentences and 3X each and one day was draw a small pix of the word and 3X each.
This year, I have no idea if the teacher will have the same homework schedule each week or not. But so far, yesterday was ABC order of all 20 words(4 are challenge words), today was sentences.
I guess the homework isn't horrible it's just that my kids are tired by the end of the day and it's time to be a kid, play, watch TV, etc. not do more work, IMO. My poor 8 YO finished her sentences a few mins. ago and was writing her spelling words for practice because they're hard for her this week and finally she just put her head in her lap and said "I'm tired, I'm tired of homework, I'm tired of thinking of school". I told her she'd done enough. Obviously, she was getting nothing from her studying so it's time to quit.

Well, I have 2 older kids and two younger.

My feelings on homework, as with just about everything else, has changed from the first pair to the second.

With my oldest, who is now 18, finishing high school this year, homework was a chore, a battle, and, seriously did him and me more harm than good. I took myself out of the homework equation with him in 8th grade. I gave him opportunity, supplies, space and let him make the decision to do it or not. He has succeeded AND failed, depending on the class, it's requirement and his choices in the matter.

My daughter, who is 14, has always been an overachiever, she struggles by choice to do well. It's always been her battle. Lucky for me, and her, she has decided that it's worth it to spend hours at the desk struggling through her work.

Now I have a second grader and a kindergartener. I will not tramatize either one of them to get their homework done. It will be encouraged and expected, they will be aware of the concequesnces and my feelings, but ultimately, their choice.

We have very little time together weeknights, not getting home together until close to 6pm with an 8pm bedtime. Two hours. There is alot to do, enjoy and experience. I, personally, feel that homework is not the end all be all in the grand scheme.

I do apologise to those I may offend, mainly teachers, because the rest of you really have no right to critisize these choices of mine, but this is the way I feel it works best to raise my kids to be healthy, happy and successful.

I know that some homework is necessary. What gets me is when my kids bring home "busy work". We have enough to keep us busy after school without throwing redundant homework in the mix.

I agree...well said

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My district requires us to send home at least 20 mins of homework nightly. Normally I just send their decodables home to practice reading and one page of math to work on facts. Last year I had parents complaining I wasn't sending enough home!

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I actually really like what she said as well!

Mine, while not even started this year yet, have already had to read the greek play Antigone, I ordered the book, he read and then went answer the questions the teacher had..... Somehow I got THE book that didnt even have a certain character even in it??? i know I got the right book, I mean, Antigone, same picture on the front everything... anyway we hunted on the internet and found enough to answer the questions.


Next son is in 5th <oldest is in 9th> anyway he had to read My Brother Sam in dead and still hasnt got the work done so I'm going to mention it again tomorrow.

Next week oldest is in ROTC all week so he'll be out of the house THANK GOODNESS. but I hope he'll keep on top of things and not get kicked out of ROTC cause as his shirt says "Genius by birth slacker by choice" <ok he thinks he's a genius> but he better be done with the slacking

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