From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

KajiKita

So why not stop doing homework then ….?

Fwiw, from the outside, having hated school and doing the absolute bare minimum homework I could get away with and with no younglings of my own, the ONE positive I can see for doing homework in primary school, is that it will be less of a shock when LG goes to secondary school and it becomes waaaaay more important. I didn’t have homework in primary so moving to daily homework, sometime 2 or three pieces a night, when I went up to secondary school, especially as I was just left to get on with it on my own, very hard. 

Perhaps … and this is just a thought … why not decide to do say, three homework pieces a week and they could be things that LG needs practice in, things they enjoy (to keep the HW muscle flexing without too much stress) or a mix and match of both? In other words you use the set homework as a resource as you see fit for your child. 

KK

KajiKita

Another thought about the homework situation, and this may be wide of the mark so ignore me if it is … 😊

I always felt a bit like homework was some obscure punishment. I’d already had to do a school day and now I was having to do a whole load more of something I didn’t want to do that was associated with school when I’d already had enough of it (it’s interesting how I never bring work-work home any more … 🤔). 

Might it help LG engage a bit more if you or Mr GP did some kind of ‘homework’ alongside them, at the same table? Things like meal planning, an actual training course, the family finances and budgets - that way you're ‘in it together’ (and you are to hand if actual help is needed) but LG can own their own work-process a bit more?

KK

Greying_Pilgrim

KajiKita - you raise very valid points.  The "preparation" for high school is actually about the only thing that is keeping me engaged, as - like you - I went from a no homework primary to having to do several subjects a night - and why-o-why did some teachers give homework every lesson, and some every lesson, but all subjects gave "weekend" homework 🙄  We'll see what response this week's work has elicited from the teacher and plan next week's approach around that.  

Because DH and I are around when LG is doing their homework, the 'doing alongside' is less of an issue - we're there to utilise/bounce ideas off and try to help - but without 'doing' the work for LG if that makes sense.  And they do see both DH and I reading, writing, planning etc.  But I absolutely accept the point you are making.  LG is not 'self-starter' enough to lock themselves in the garret and produce war&peace-esque essays each evening 😉

Greying X

badmemory

From a family of somewhat older teachers.  They always said that homework in primary was caused by the disruptiveness of some of the pupils.  When I was in primary it really wasn't worth being disruptive because getting the strap was a good disincentive.  Now any type of punishment is really impossible.  20 years ago my sister told a girl in her class not to talk when she was talking.  Next day father was there threatening to punch her & this was at a very middle class school.  Primary need teaching everything 3 times so if a teacher spends all their time being shouted down by the idiots, the only way to deal is to give homework.  Knowing full well that the ones who do it will get it & the ones that don't may very well not.

Moneywhizz

Just to add to the homework discussion. My grandchildren's school actually said this year that the homework would not be marked because it isn't a good use of the teachers' time! And sure enough we struggle to do the homework and there hasn't been a single mark, sticker or any form of feedback in the jotter since we started. As a former teacher I can't believe that it has come to this. Not that I am greatly in favour of homework especially for younger children, but either don't give it at all or at least show the children that their effort in doing it is worthy of some recognition. Research does show that homework has little benefit for children and the only reason for it is to prepare them for the amount that is expected of them at High School. I would definitely be selective in the amount you choose to do and make it work for you and your family rather than for the school. LG is lucky to have such caring, interested parents. 

Greying_Pilgrim

Ooooooooh, Moneywhizz  - as a trained one m'self, I am in no way denigrating teachers, but that situation would drive me nuts.  I find I have to bite my tongue as it is with a faint stamp at the bottom of the page - which does at least acknowledge an Adult hand has been near the book, irrespective of whether the eyes follow.  But to have the kiddos do work that won't be marked/acknowledged - that would be a firm NOPE from me! 😁

I am going to try to do one of the homeworks in a different way.  It is - actually - LG's weakest area, however I do not see the point of doing it 5 days a week - it's just too much, and the instructions are too 'wishy-washy'.  It's a subject area that should be covered in school, because it is (ultimately) tested.  

However, the good news is that one lot of homework was done and dusted within 5 minutes of being home.  I hovvered a little - the homework was to incorporate phrases into partial sentences to make a full sentence that read correctly.  LG emulated their mumma and went at it like a bull at a gate 🙄, but there was value in stopping to see if the phrase was the 'best fit', for the sentence LG was crow-barring it into.  They did at least see the logic of my point, and they only had to adjust one sentence.  

In other news, LG helped to make an apple crumble.  We have used some of the apples we got from our holiday accommodation back at the end of the summer hols.  LG measured out the flour and fat and had a go at forking them together.  They got a bit further this time, but I finished off to get a 'crumble'.  Then they added in the sugar.  I dusted the whole lot with mixed spice and they stirred it all together.  I had chopped up the apples, so LG topped the lot with the crumble.  I think this was the least messy baking they have done and they put the ingredients away as they used them.  I'll put the crumble on to cook just now with the wedges, and fingers crossed LG gets to enjoy the fruits of their labour for pud.  There was number work and accuracy involved, so it counts as edjikation, dunnit?

Greying X

Cheery_Daff

Definitely I reckon - and the best type of education, because it results in pudding 😁

rtandon27

ACK! - did I really just share with a teacher what my thoughts on homework are?????

@Greying_Pilgrim - you really do need to tell me to hush 😅😅😅

Greying_Pilgrim

rtandon27 said:

ACK! - did I really just share with a teacher what my thoughts on homework are?????

@Greying_Pilgrim - you really do need to tell me to hush 😅😅😅

Sweetie - I'm not a practising professional - so share away.  We've got to find a 'sweet spot' of doing work that does aid LG's learning (or perhaps retention of learning?), but not that takes too long. Book learning ain't everything - I've never subscribed to that viewpoint 😁

Windy start with us, unfortunately a bit too gusty at times to peg a wash out.  

Not too sure what the day has in store.  

There was 3 slices of pizza leftover, and 2 small portions of apple crumble.  Pizza in the freezer, crumble in the fridge for today.  

Off to find another coffee and see what is what.

Greying X

Cheery_Daff

Balance sounds like a good idea! 

Hope it's not quite as windy where you are today xx