Kids and Homework- How much is too much and what should we do about it?

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Permalink Reply by Evelynmarieg on January 31, 2009 at 8:59am

Yes, I agree they get too much. If they learn to use their time wisely, they shouldn't have a problem. Read on the bus or car or while you are waiting for your ride. That saves you alot of time to do more when you get home.

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Permalink Reply by Jerri Ann on February 2, 2009 at 1:14am

The problem is this, there is no correlation between amount of homework completed and your child's learning. Test scores show no difference. Homework has to be good homework, not just busy work that's done because it seems like the right thing to do. There's plenty of people out there that will help you work through the system (your school system) and find a better option. I write a blog entitled Mom is Teaching and you can find excellent resources there for people who are willing to point you in the right direction.

I can help, I can get you on the path, but there are others that know much more, if you truly believe that you child is being held hostage by homework, then stand up for him/her, be an advocate for your child.

Think about it this way, if you work an 8 hour day, and you commute 30 minutes one way, that's basically equivalent to what your child does. No, many children don't commute 30 minutes one way, but by the time you factor in the time it takes for them to get in their room, get those 3 ton back packs unpacked and put away, plus the re-loading in the afternoon, you can figure at least 30 minutes.

Now, the two of you are equal in what you've worked thus far through out the day. You are an adult. It is your responsibility to come home, see that laundry is done, see that dinner handled, see that baths and bedtime all get taken care...so yea, you come home (obviously I'm talking about work out of the home parents here but it works both ways) and you have to start a second job. But, in most ways, it is a second job that you chose. You chose the house and the family and you chose to let laundry wait til week nights instead of doing it on weekends. So, the fact that you put in another 2 or 3 hours work is one thing.

It's completely different to ask our children to go put in a full days work and then come home and work a second job. And, if they spend more than 20 to 30 minutes on homework, that's what your child is doing. Now, the kid is the kid, he/she didn't choose this route (unless it's work not finished at school in a timely manner) like you chose to have a house and a family, etc. So, why do we punish them with a second job.

In my opinion and we live by this in our house for the most part, a child's job is to play. And, they have multitudes of opportunities to learn while they are playing. Once they start school, their job is to go to school. Just like your job is to go to work. But, once they are home, the child's shop should return to playing. There should be no reason for a child to have 2 jobs...heck most of us adults don't want 2 jobs......

Sorry to get carried away, but like I said, there's more where that came from but with more research based authors and better scenarios and information on the blog.

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Permalink Reply by Kitty Rosu on February 2, 2009 at 4:17am

I could go on and on about how I feel about the schools here. My son is Kindergarten, for example, if it were not for me grilling him with flash cards for at least a half and hour and then reading with him several more books - he would not know how to read half way through the school year.

My daughter informs me that her 4th grade teacher told them to write the spelling words in cursive recently, which is fine if her 3rd grade teacher would have taught cursive writing. Apparently some 3rd grade classes learned it last year (I am now finding out), my daughter's apparently felt it wasn't important.

Our schools do not communicate what the kids should be learning and I am not sure they do a good job explaining it at school. I can't tell you how many times my kids come home with their homework and they say they don't know how to do it. So start explaining and they are lost, "Did you learn this today?" I ask and usually the answer is no or she didn't finish the lesson!

So, the answer is yes, they give to much homework. I say this because they didn't teach them anything during the day, so when I have to spend at least 2 more hours at home between 3 kids explaining and re-teaching lessons - it's frustrating.

No, trying to do something is not going to fix anything. I have had conversations with principals and teachers and you just cannot do anything. My sister in law is a teacher in our system and she tells me that they have to go by specific rules, they cannot teach "outside the box", if test or work scores are too low on something - the grade is "thrown out" (I am not kidding). My 4th son is in middle school, they can re-take any test under a certain percentage to improve the score. What????

It's very frustrating, and if I wasn't a stay at home parent the 2 hours of homework after I worked all day and the kids went to school all day would be unbearable!

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Permalink Reply by The Soap Buffet on February 2, 2009 at 5:23am

I never worried too much whether there was too much homework as opposed to whether my kids were able to do the homework themselves. My kids are now 19 and twin 16 year olds and this has been my homework experience and beliefs over the years...

When my kids were in kindergarten/1st grade the reading issue obviously was not there for them yet so I would read them the instructions to their homework and explain if necessary and then I would leave them seated at the table and leave the room. Checking back every 5 minutes or so to make sure they were working and doing okay. This gave them confidence to do their homework on there own...not depending on me to sit by their side and nudge them along for hours. By the time my kids were old enough to read all directions and understand them I was no loner involved in the homework other to ask if it was done or not for the day. I honestly can say my kids are now in college and Sophmores in H.S. and I haven't really known what there homework has been since probably 3rd grade. They are all honor students and they study for tests and do all reports on there own. I have never had a teacher complain that their homework assignments have not been handed in.

When my kids had science projects to do they did them by themselves....it might not have been the most prettiest one at the science fair or the most complex but they were proud to see it hanging up. Over the years I have heard them comment on many projects " Mary didn't even do that, her mom or dad did it...that's not fair". After all how many 3rd graders do you know that can build a bridge out of wood with light and all that work!

Homework should be done by the child not the parents. You are there for guidance...that is all. The teacher will never know if your child is able to accomplish what they give if you are doing it for them.

As far as after school activities are concerned. All three of my kids were involved in sports after school. When they were young it was one activity/one team per season. Some kids are on two different baseball or soccer teams or are involved in three different activities at the same time and they are only 8 years old.....not necessary in my opinion. As they got older and could handle it they were allowed to choose two different activities at the same time if they wanted to.

All I can say is that this had worked for our family. I would hear mothers outside of school at 3 o'clock complaining that they had been doing homework with their kid for 3 hours the night before....their kid was in my kids class and I would think...mmmmm...my kid was done in 30 minutes all by themselves. Your child will not learn to be independent if you constantly do it with them or for them. If they go to school the next day without their homework because they decided not to do it.....not the end of the world... but they will learn there are consequences to pay for their actions. I would rather my child learn that in the 3rd grade then to have to still be helping them with homework when they are in middle school or high school or even yet in college. YES...you'd be surprised what some parents do. I knew a mother who wrote all her kids college entrance essays...I wonder what grades SHE got in college!

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Permalink Reply by Evelyn on February 2, 2009 at 7:24am

I have taught school, had my children in both private and public schools and homeschooled my oldest until 7th grade.

I believe that homework should only be for those occasional times that a child was not able to understand what was taught in class and needs some one-on-one reteaching time. Otherwise I believe that children need the time after school to play with friends, read whatever they choose, and do projects of their own invention. Children need time to use all the information that they learned in school in their own way. Children need time and freedom.

The choices that parents have now to change the system are limited. The easiest is to homeschool. Children learn all that is taught in school in a couple of hours a day and then they are free to learn whatever they want. A second option is to throw out the Leave No Child Untested mentality and allow teachers to go back to actually teaching children.

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Permalink Reply by Ruthie Appleby on February 2, 2009 at 9:29am

Call the principal and let him know.

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Permalink Reply by Dr Patricia Porter on February 3, 2009 at 6:47pm

readergirl said:

I have taught for nearly two decades, and yes, the content has become incredibly intense in the lower grades. We have two weeks to "teach" multiplication facts 0-12 to 3rd graders and then it is on to division. What is missing is the time to teach the concept, the state (CA) just wants the facts memorized with no understanding of what is actually happening.

That said, this is why it is imperative that teachers and parents work together to support the kids. I give my homework out on Friday, and it is due the following Friday. In this manner, parents may attend to it whenever they have time. The homework is simple, reinforces skills learned and it meant for parent and child to do together. It consists of a self-checking math assignment, a spelling list for studying (no copying words- it is not a valuable exercise) and to read 20 minutes a night and complete a graphic organizer on the reading. If we are dealing with a new concept in grammar, I will send home extra practice on that.

The best thing you can do is to make your teacher your partner. Find out how long she thinks the homework is taking and why it is being assigned. Most districts have policies available that state 20 minutes for each year of school as the max. time of homework per night. Many teachers are unaware regarding the actual time spent by kids doing homework.

Depending on the age of your child, set a timer for what is a reasonable amount of time to spend doing homework. As long as the child has actually worked that amount of time, sign the homework, completed, or not and write a note to the teacher explaining how much time was spent.

Last point, does homework really affect your child's grades? We do not grade homework, simply check it and use it as a "work habits" indicator.

Hi

What a wonderful comment. I agree totally, parents and teachers must work together to help kids learn. That means telling the teacher when your child has too much homework and stopping your child doing too much homework. There is no proof that homework helps kids learn.
I think that it is time that parents supported teachers by saying that enough is enough. Two weeks to teach multiplication! No chance. Teachers need parents to understand the difficulties they face then TOGETHER they stand a chance of creating change.

Glad to meet you.

Thanks for giving me hope

Dr Patricia Porter

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Permalink Reply by lovechilde on February 4, 2009 at 6:19pm

My oldest is in Kindergarten and I am overwhelmed some weeks with the amount of homework he has. If he's receiving this much homework in K, I cannot imagine what's to come. Fortunately right now I am at home and able to work with him but when I was working full time just a mere month ago, it was CHALLENGING. I've noticed a difference since I've been home (a positive difference). He's the type of kid that needs reinforcement. I can't just leave him to do his work. He gets frustrated and he doesn't try when it comes to reading. He would rather guess according to pictures versus sounding things out the way he learned. He has tennis once a week and I'm looking for another activity for him because even though it's challenging getting all the homework done, he needs an outlet for his energy. I notice his confidence level is boosted when he has extracurricular activities and there's no complaints of boredom.

It's tough these days. I believe kids are expected to do more. I don't remember how much homework I had in Kindergarten but I know it was not nearly as much as my son has. My mom never helped me with my homework and at the time that was fine. I was a good student who could figure things out. But hindsight, the extra help may have helped my confidence.

Talk directly to the teacher. More is not always better. Substance over abundance is how I feel.

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Permalink Reply by Louise on February 8, 2009 at 5:27pm

Here in New Hampshire it's not just the amount of homework that concerns me but also the fact that particularly at high school level, if you happen to miss any homework your grade can be negatively affected.

I find it sad that a child can put in 100% effort in school, achieving the highest standards in the classroom and tests during the school hours, yet missing a couple of pieces of homework can take a student from a passing to a failing grade.

I was born and raised in the United Kingdom so I don't have the insight of the American Education system and how it used to be, but I do remember that I never received the crazy amount of homework that my children currently have to deal with and I do find the system very unfair, particularly to high school age youth.

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Wissink on February 10, 2009 at 4:01am

This is a great topic and one that I have discussed many times with my husband, a fifth grade teacher.

Homework should be viewed a different way rather than copied sheets which give practice on the same concept 25 times. Here are my husband's requirements for homework each night. Now, if a child has not finished work during the day in school, that of course is added.

1. Read various genres of books for 30 minutes each night.
2. Eat dinner as a family and talk about your day.
3. Use the two most important words in our vocabulary, "Please" and "Thank you!"
4. Turn off the TV and turn on your mind. Play a game, play outside, help a friend.

There are many studies about homework and this quote was very helpful.

Harris Cooper is a professor of education and psychology at Duke University who is an expert on homework. He said there is very little evidence that most homework in elementary school helps kids learn. Washington Post

Let your child be a child! That is what is most important.

To your success and beyond!

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Permalink Reply by Kim on February 14, 2009 at 12:45pm

What a great discussion.

As an elementary school teacher and adjunct instructor of education at a local university, I have wrestled with the homework dilemma many times. Here in California, the stakes and standards are incredibly high for schools, and instruction time is short. My goal is to maximize every minute, every instructional strategy and every resource available to me to help my students succeed. Therefore, I question everything I do in the classroom - even homework.

It may surprise some to know that I assign very little homework to my 4th and 5th grade students. They receive 5 - 10 math problems a night IF and only IF they have sufficiently mastered the concept enough to practice it correctly on their own. The homework is also tailored to the needs of each child. In addition to that, they might receive a short assignment with a grammar concept. Homework is never assigned over the weekend, and it is not uncommon for my students to go without homework one or two nights a week.

Why do I assign homework in this manner? A review of research on homework compiled by Robert Marzano in his book, Classroom Instruction that Works, found that in order for homework to be effective it must...

1. be practice on an already mastered skill or introduction of a skill with activities that a student can complete independently.
2. receive timely and specific feedback from the teacher.
3. have a purpose that is clearly understood by the student.

Marzano also found that homework for elementary school students does not have a significant impact on achievement. In order to see a statistically significant increase in achievement attributable to homework, one must look to the middle and high school grade levels.

In answer to what to do as a parent - educate yourself. Educate yourself about what good instruction looks like. Research for yourself what is appropriate homework. Research your school district's homework policy. Gently begin to share your concerns with your child's teacher, peppering your conversation with the insights you have gleaned from your research. Get involved on your child's campus. Gain a hearing for your voice by being involved. If your concerns are completely rebuffed by the teacher, chat with the principal.

Only by becoming educated, involved consumers of the product of public education will parents truly have a respected and heard voice in the education system.

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Hurt on August 4, 2009 at 11:09pm

I agree with you about the high standard in CA schools. I am not only on the PTA Board but also on the School Site Council (my hubby is on both too). Needless to say we get a lot of info about standards, homework, etc. It is frustrating to know that with the "No Child Left Behind" Act that CA set a standard of all children needing a B grade to be average, eventually going to an A (forgot what year the A kicks in) while in Texas where the act started, a C will be the standard for average. Each state sets their own standards.

Will it help to join PTA, etc. It depends on your child's school. The Principal at our daughter's school is exceptional and does take out comments into consideration. She would like to see and end to all this No Child Left Behind stuff and get back to the importance of teaching but the system wants numbers, good numbers.

Joining the PTA and supporting fundraising (volunteers are really needed) can help your school get much needded supplies but stopping homework, I don't thinkg so.

Maybe you and other parents should voice your feelings to the School District or Superintendent. If enough parents in CA complain, who knows, it might matter.

Good Luck,
Rebecca

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