help me explain why my first graders are getting too much homework

[blisstwins]

My children have a new-to-first grade teacher in a Catholic school. She gives a lot of homework, as in an hour a night, at least. We don't get a weekly packet. This is typical homework:

Monday
*13 words, write them 3 times each

*read a phonic reader (short) twice out loud to your parents

*read your independent reading book once to your parents (these do not seemed to be pegged to my children's levels. The levels seems to vary from cray hard and long to way too easy.

*write the title and author in your reading journal

*math worksheet (write the #1 and #2 many times)--that is "math"

Writing takes a really long time.

What are the arguments against too much homework in early grades? I need to be constructive. Other parents think it is a lot, but good for the kids. Ugh. I need help. Thanks!

[kwc]

UGH. I don't think busywork is good for kids or parents. Or family relationships. At least two people in my home would end up in tears over that homework assignment (me and DS).
That is an astonishing amount of homework, with no thinking (or reading comprehension) involved.

Is there another first grade class in the school? Is the amount of homework comparable? Is the principal aware of this amount of work?

Here is an old article showing that the benefit of homework in grade school is negligible... it was in the online "files" of one of the grade schools in our school district (an "elite" public district):
http://www.addison.pausd.org/files/a...20Homework.pdf

Meanwhile, I would fudge on the reading aloud and spend the time reading aloud to my kids and having them read books at their level to me, and discuss the story. Reading allowed, and discussion of said material is often the homework I am in favor of... I am not wholly against homework (spelling practice, some math is also fine) but busywork makes me really angry.

[dhano923]

My DS got similar homework in 1st grade and my DD is in 1st grade this year with a different teacher. It would take about 20 minute to write the spelling words, 5-10 minutes for the readers, another 5-10 minutes for math. In 1st grade, they are supposed to read 20 minutes a night, either themselves or a parent reading. We alternate or split the time depending on the night. The child has to write the name and author of the book in their weekly journal to turn in on Friday. It would take DS about 2 minutes to do it. DD's class hasn't started yet but I don't see it taking very long. It used to take him about 40 minutes for the homework. It takes her about 20 because she writes faster than he used to.

[jren]

That was similar to DD's homework in first. Word study, reading (plus logging), and math sheet front and back. The reading was supposed to take 5 - 10 minutes. Writing it in the log was supposed to take no time (ha). Word study was also supposed to be really quick. They expected the students to "fly" through the math, and some did. Not my DD, sometimes math alone would take HOURS. Our math wasn't what you describe, that was more in K (write 1 to 120, then turn over and do it again, ugh). Still took her an hour or more even just to write the numbers. With 1st grade math, I'd have to reteach her whatever concepts she was supposed to have learned at school b/c she just didn't get it.

Later, I learned that they were only expected to be spending 20 minutes a night on the homework. Once I brought it to the teachers attention, she was fine if DD didn't complete everything. This year (2nd), it's more work but not taking her as long to complete. Probably about 30 - 40 minutes of work if she stays on task. Still too much IMO.

[SnuggleBuggles]

At our school they stress that homework should only take 10 minutes in 1st grade (provided the kid is actually working vs chatting, doodling, otherwise not engaged). If it takes longer than that the teacher wants to know. Any chance there is a similar policy? We also learned that homework is not graded, just strongly encouraged.

Beth

[nfowife]

http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/re...nghomework.htm

1 hour is not appropriate. 10-20 minutes max. I'd discuss with the teacher.

[kristac]

That is alot of writing for a 1st grader. Hope you can find a way to lessen the load.

[Ceepa]

The reading and "math" seem all right to me, but having a new first-grader write 39 words in a sitting? That's wacky.

Does the school typically have a heavy workload for all grades?

[KrisM]

DS1 is in 2nd grade now. He had about 20 minutes of homework a week last year. So far, he hasn't had any homework this year.

I hope you can get the amount lowered. Sounds crazy!

[blisstwins]

Thank you so much for this feedback. I emailed the teacher my concern in advance of our parent event tonight so I will not be putting her on the spot. I just asked what her expectations are with regard to time and corrections. Told her it takes us well over an hour. Can she make her policies more clear and perhaps give us ways to make the homework situation less stressful. We'll see!