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Homework for children
I would welcome other parents thoughts about the above subject. My son is 8 and attends the local junior school. He has been receiving homework since the age of 6. I confess, I don't agree with the idea of homework at such an age. It is difficult for my son to become motivated for one thing and then as a parent, I end up becoming the teacher and almost doing it for him on a few subjects. I also learnt today, that if a child fails to hand there homework in on time, they are penalised by not being allowed out at break time. Is it only me that finds this quite outrageous? Let's not forget, we're dealing with 8 year old children here. Children who need some fresh air and the opportunity to run about and interact with children, which in my mind is just as important as any academic work. Your thoughts would be most welcome.
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Unfortunately they do get homework, and it needs to be done..that is my advice.
When he was in year four we had to name all the countries in Asia and their capitals and write a piece on one country
It literally took all weekend
He would also lose break time if he didn't do homework
There was a after school homework club but they chose who went so it was the ones whose parents never made them do it
Due to the near total absence of marking from my childs teacher, I end up reviewing their homework with them and telling them what is right and wrong.
Is there actual evidence of this, please link sources or is it your own opinion?
Evidence please.
That was your real world. It is was not and is not the real world of most children.
To the OP, assuming you are not talking about your 8 year old writing whole essays and studying latin, I think some reading, writing or sums is quite a good thing for a child and a good thing for a parent to engage in with their child. I don't imagine we are talking hours on end of homework for an eight year old.
It's called common sense. Do you need a source for that aswell?
I have been to school, so know from personal experience
Lack of marking would annoy me too! That's just laziness on the teachers' part. :mad:
It's not common sense at all, studies have shown that homework is inconclusive on a child's education.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2239928/Is-homework-waste-time-Study-18-000-schoolchildren-finds-relationship-spending-time-work-home-better-grades.html
If it is targeted & structured then yes homework does seem to work, if it is just homework for the sake of it, then it offers nothing. Which is probably why teachers don't mark it, because they have just set homework for the sake of it.
So you provide a daily mail link?:D:D
Improves organising skills
Instils discipline
Improves writing skills
Teaches the importance of time management
Establishes creativity
http://www.greatschools.org/students/homework-help/1938-what-research-says-about-homework.gs?page=all
Another one that isn't Daily Mail if you like.
We had a Master at school who every day told us that he was "Head Of Discipline". We never forgot about it, unlike some of the unruly youths of today.
Why does it need to be done? In the great scheme of things, why?
I couldn't so some of my sons year 3 maths homework, made me feel great
Most times the parents do the homework
The homework not only means they practice the things they have been learning in class but it means we can also assess how well they can apply the information they are supposed to have learned and to get them used to doing a little bit of work every day, and the homework increases as they go up the school so that by the time they reach senior school and have homework that counts towards their grades/final exams, it´s not a huge shock.
Also, if students fail to finish work during class time (usually because they´ve been chatting/staring into space/generally messing about) that work still has to be done and when else would you like us to let them finish? I have lesson schedules based on the units I have to teach, material I have to cover, assessment dates and holidays etc. If I constantly let a few students leave work unfinished or continue in the next lesson then that throws out the whole schedule and punishes the other students, the majority of whom did finish and did get everything done and shouldn´t have to waste class time waiting for the slacking students.
We have the option of sending the work home (which doesn´t guarantee it will get done) or we can keep them in at break which not only means we can supervise them finishing their work without the distraction of 20 something other children but is also reinforcing the point that if they want to take their break in my lesson then I´ll take that time they wasted from their breaktime, and short of one or two students who just refuse to do anything and end up being kept in by various teachers at break times, it´s very rarely that work doesn´t get done.
I currently have some GCSE Mock Exams coming up and I need to revise as much as possible. Surely teachers would agree with this? No. They still hand out homework like pedo's hand out sweets. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR HOMEWORK FAM!
When I saw your post on this subject I guessed what sort of responses you would get - I have read quite a few and forgive me if I am repeating other posters but 'I disagree with children (particularly as young as 6 and 8 years old) getting homework - I believe children need to do school work at school and be playful children at home - as many on here will know I am a professional Child Care Worker and have seem many children very badly stressed out by being given school work to do ate home (where they lack the support and environmental 'atmosphere' that school provides)
I am not saying all children are hurt or damaged by being forced to do homework but many 'less scholarly' or 'special needs' or 'emotionally insecure' children often are. Even when the afore mentioned groups of children get older they often need to keep school and home life separate because this compartmentalisation allows them to work (at school) and play at home.
Although many educationalists disagree with this view as someone who has seen the results of 'over pressurising' children I have worked with many troubled children and young people and know that they achieve better when allowed to do 'homework' in school - with their support worker.