https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:13:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768454 Fri, 18 Aug 2017 00:08:35 +0000 lamariniere 2768454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son had homework every night this past year in kindergarten. For regular work, it was nearly always reading and it only took 5-10 minutes (and I needed to be present, usually to listen to it). Occasionally we had to practice a few words for spelling tests. He also had German homework twice a week and that seemed a bit more involved, and it was only reading/writing focused. I was apprehensive going into the school year, but in the end, I didn't mind the homework. It let me keep tabs on what my son was learning and the progress he was making. It also wasn't optional, the kids were expected to do it and I think we established a good routine that we can hopefully carry forward in the coming school years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768296 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:34:07 +0000 ElbieKay 2768296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5th grade teacher had us keep a reading log. She called it the Bookworm Club. Everyone had a "bookworm" on the wall, and every time you read 100 pages you would get another segment added to your bookworm. In order to get "credit" you had to log each book and write a summary of what it was about. The teacher made a huge deal about this like it was this amazing thing to be part of the Bookworm Club, and she played favorites with the most prolific readers in the class. I loved to read as a kid, and I found it super tedious to write up a synopsis of each book. So I only logged some of what I read and was not lauded as an accomplished reader. I found the entire exercise really lame and did not enjoy my 5th grade classroom experience much.</p> <p>This teacher also emphasized penmanship A LOT. Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768293 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 10:29:45 +0000 Twolittlemen 2768293@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our reading log is just 20 mins a night. It can be being read to or them reading and you just initial. Also you can't submit more than 20 mins a night. You get the same check regardless of reading 20 mins or 60- I feel like that's a good compromise. However even though we read every night I am terrible at submitting the "tickets" they give you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768272 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 09:19:04 +0000 Mamaof2 2768272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For DD:<br /> Kindergarten: Packet on Monday, due Friday. Daily reading and daily practice of sight words</p> <p>For DS:<br /> Kindergarten: Homework only on Wednesdays<br /> 1st grade: Homework given Mon-Thurs, one day at a time, XtraMath 3 times a week, reading 20-25 days per month (monthly log)<br /> 2nd Grade : way less homework - the teacher preferred to work them hard during the day (her words). She did request nightly reading and XtraMath but it was not tracked. Spelling tests each Friday.</p> <p>So it seems in our school homework is determined by your teacher </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768267 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 08:43:53 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2768267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our kindergarten experience with homework was a bit jaded because we had a first year teacher who didn't quite have everything together. </p> <p>We would receive a packet on Wednesday and it would be due Friday. Typically it was a few worksheets (sometimes 5 or more). They were the same type of worksheets that they were doing in class. It just offered more practice and repetition. It was hard at first because she couldn't read the instructions so she needed assistance. But towards the end of the year, she knew what the paper was asking for and could complete mostly on her own. To be honest though we missed a lot of assignments and turned a lot in late though.</p> <p>In addition to this we received some math worksheets that were optional. We usually would review before the test. They had weekly spelling tests that we had to also go over on Thursday nights/Friday mornings. </p> <p>And then the reading log which honestly we skipped last year. We read to her every night and practiced reading whenever we could. I didn't have time to sign a sheet every night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768261 Thu, 17 Aug 2017 08:27:49 +0000 looch 2768261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On the actual topic of the thread, I thought it might be a good idea if the parents of kids that have kids in elementary now comment again on their experiences. </p> <p>My son has a year of K under his belt and the homework that was assigned was in a package of 4 worksheets. Each week contained a book review, a sight word practice page, a math page and a short reading comprehension page. It came home on Monday and was due on Friday. We typically aimed to complete it in the mornings, but the book review took a bit more time and required choosing a book, reading it, then answering some questions about it. I would try to get my son to use the book he took out of the school library, sometimes he would think it was a good idea. But if not, we used a Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie book because the content was easy enough to write a sentence about.</p> <p>At the end of the day, what I took away from homework wasn't so much the actual content. It was more that it builds the habit of setting aside time to complete the work. Could we have skipped it, absolutely. But we didn't, because the work was easy enough that he could finish it without assistance, it built his confidence up and he got in the habit of setting the time aside.</p> <p>I think this would be much more difficult to accomplish when my son is older, after not having to do it in the earlier grades, so I have revised my opinion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768156 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 14:54:01 +0000 DesertDreams88 2768156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: It sounds like you recognize the value of both - independent reading and family reading. I'd 100% agree that she needs both, regardless of minutes :) Like other pp, I'd recommend finding early reader books on her interests. Does her teacher do Scholastic orders? You might also be able to buy book lots from local mom groups? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768133 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:35:18 +0000 honeybear 2768133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Can you do "shared reading" (you read a page and then she reads a page) to make it feel like it's not all her? That might help with the tiredness aspect, because it gives her little breaks. </p> <p>We did a timed-reading log for the library this summer and the way we scheduled it was he read to me while I cleaned up dinner/the kitchen and dealt with laundry (this is where he got in the "required" minutes), then he got a little free time and I read to him before bed. Maybe a schedule like that would work if the little siblings are in bed during dinner clean-up? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school/page/2#post-2768132 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:31:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2768132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: No, the log is just sign off that the child read 20 min per day. But we are supposed to log what was read and sign every day. </p> <p>@Charm54: Thanks. Thats what we did last night. She had a good simple Mo Willems book to read and I told her after she read that book I would read her a chapter from her book. I told her if she fought reading or got too frustrated, I would leave her room and she could go to bed. She did really well reading the book and we enjoyed the second book I read to her. </p> <p>I have tried to encourage her to read some of our board books/picture books to her brother and sister, even if she doesn't know the words. She's been a bit reluctant. What did help the other day was I told her I would stay with her in her room after bedtime and I would read my book and she could "read" next to me. She chose "The Day the Crayons Came Home" which we have read 100x so she knows the story but wasn't able to read herself the actual words (some of the font is hard to read too). But I think she enjoyed going through the book and to me thats still fostering that love for reading! </p> <p>@looch: Yes, I'm doing an order from the library right now to see if I can get some things that would interest her. I do know she has some reading comprehension issues because as she is sounding out/reading the words slowly she will often re-read the sentence or ask me to read it back to her because she says she doesn't understand when she reads. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2768128 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 13:21:38 +0000 Mamaof2 2768128@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: reading logs are new to me - so the teacher is more concerned with the number of books the child reads vs. the minutes spent reading?</p> <p>Our logs are monthly - they are expected to read at least 20 mins a day for 20-25 days a month - my kids put a sticker on the sheet each night they read and turn it in at the end of the month for a prize </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2768108 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:31:52 +0000 looch 2768108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Have you asked a librarian for some companion book ideas that might be interesting for your daughter based on the book that you are reading aloud to her?</p> <p>There has got to be something out there that is similar enough to be interesting to her that she might want to explore it on her own. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2768103 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 11:28:36 +0000 Charm54 2768103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I would have a conversation with the teacher asking to be exempt from the reading log this year. I would assure the teacher that you will be reading nightly with your daughter and if at any time he/she has concerns about your Dd's reading progress to contact you.</p> <p>That being said, it is important for your Dd to read books by herself, too. You might want to set up a routine where she reads a book to you first, then you read the longer chapter book to her. And it doesn't always have to be those early readers (though those are great practice for fluency/sight words)- she can pick any picture book (even if she can't yet read the words) and retell a familiar story or read the pictures. A lot of meaning making and comprehension work happens when she does that, too. The goal is to get her seeing herself as a reader in every sense of the word. </p> <p>Long story short, I bet a conversation with the teacher would clear up the hassle of the reading log. They likely just want to ensure your child is being exposed to literacy at home, which your daughter clearly is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2768096 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:39:33 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2768096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I have only taught upper grades and the kids were allkwed to read whatever they wanted at night, so I am not much help. At our school though the goal was enjoyment of books and vocabulary exposure, so as your child's teacher I would want you doing whatever she enjoyed. I would definitely talk to the teacher and see what the goal is. If it is building fluency then the leveled book may be important. Maybe you could do MW leveled book, TTh family book? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2768092 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:32:39 +0000 808love 2768092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my students, we read different genres so they only record when finished with the book and the genre they read. I host a Biography tea when they are done with first book to launch the year's genre study. Parents may help the child come up with a prop or costume to help child present their story (report) of who they are and life gleaned from reading at the 'White House' gathering. This year, I am planning to host at the (imaginary) governor's mansion. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2768083 Wed, 16 Aug 2017 10:13:34 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2768083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: @Charm54: @Mrs. Lion: </p> <p>I would love some suggestions for how to handle 1st grade reading logs. For K it was optional and with a new baby we just did our nightly reading (most often before bed and us reading to her). Now in 1st I know she needs more independent time but her love of books right now is from the longer stories we read to her nightly. I hate to ruin that because she feels like she has to trudge through a boring early reader book just to get her mark on her reading log. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2516717 Wed, 06 Apr 2016 06:52:12 +0000 looch 2516717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: Thanks for your input! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2516260 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 14:48:55 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2516260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I'm torn on this. I know it is more convenient for families, but I feel like the work loses its authenticity. I might send home math practice that ties in directly with what I taught that day...so if I send a sheet home on Monday but we aren't learning the corresponding material until Thursday it isn't really beneficial. And I am pretty anti-homework as a teacher, so if I'm sending it home I want it to be worthwhile. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2516161 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:57:37 +0000 honeybear 2516161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm ambivalent on homework. It depends much more on the "what" rather than the "how much" regarding whether it's a good idea or not. </p> <p>As for reading logs, I'm in the "firmly opposed" camp if we're talking about ones where you tally up books solely by the number of books read. A tally does not account for quality, and I suspect that it usually works in opposition to the goal of getting children to read excellent books. I think most parents would prefer that their child read one really excellent book that challenges them and takes time instead of a bunch of mediocre ones that they can just plow through. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2516150 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:49:50 +0000 Anagram 2516150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think homework at K-2 is totally unnecessary. Starting in 3rd grade, a small amount of homework is good for subjects where you need a lot of practice to understand a concept--language, math. It's not enough practice to say, learn the words for the kitchen area in Spanish in a 30 minute lesson and then never see/think about it again and expect the next day for the kids to go on to the next lesson and retain any of the previous knowledge without the practice homework offers.</p> <p>I only think there's an issue where teachers teach different subjects and assign homework with no regard for what other teachers are also assigning homework--but at the school districts I've worked in, that's easily solved by the grade levels discussing who assigns homework when.</p> <p>I personally hate the "family project" type homework where you are supposed to do it with your kiddo--because I feel like that's homework for me, and my life is hectic enough. Maybe I will appreciate it when LO is older, but when our daycare sends that stuff home, I'm a Grinch and just don't do it. She's only 2.5 and one week her homework was to draw flags that represent where her parents are from. She's 2.5! She's working on simple stuff, like drawing shapes and faces and letters--she can't draw a lion holding a sword on a field of several blocks of colors!</p> <p>just no. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2516136 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:41:33 +0000 looch 2516136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What is the educator's view on packages of work to complete over the course of the week versus daily homework? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2516121 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 13:28:56 +0000 regberadaisy 2516121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: as a parent, I feel like 3rd grade is too young for mandatory testing. But as a child I don't remember it being a big deal to me. And obviously hasn't had any detrimental effect in my life long term. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2516042 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:40:59 +0000 Charm54 2516042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I very much dislike reading logs for many reasons. I don't know one reluctant reader who has fallen in love with reading because of a log. There are many ways we can encourage non readers, but none of them involve a log.</p> <p>Even for avid readers, logs are tedious and a pain. I read like crazy as a kid, yet my mom would still be panicking in the drop off line at school and fudging titles so I would get my "prize". Life is too busy to record every book. Books are too enjoyable to log every minute. </p> <p>Homework in elementary should be reading in whatever form promotes the most enjoyment - reading picture books, graphic novels, blogs, newspaper, chapter books, audio books, being read to. I recommend 20-30 minutes for my K-2 students.</p> <p>I also encourage my students to explore passion projects as "homework" - an ongoing project that they design, research and present on their own time that is 100% driven by their interests. There's no requirements for this, nor does it count towards their grade, but I have seen some INCREDIBLE results and projects from my elementary students on everything from Minecraft to the physics of Hockey to journalism to veterinary medicine.</p> <p>Overall, I want my students to enjoy time with their family , participate in extra curricular activities, and even spend time doing absolutely nothing if that's what helps them relax and unwind at the end of an already long day </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515984 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:04:30 +0000 mediagirl 2515984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayLou: @Truth Bombs: good point. I don't like the idea of homework but I can see my daughter coming home and not talking about her day after having to talk all day long. Homework will give us something to talk about. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515982 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:04:02 +0000 DesertDreams88 2515982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a 5th grade ELA &amp; SS teacher, this is what I did for reading logs... I used reading logs off and on my first couple of years, quickly made it optional. Each reading log was an entry into our "reading raffle" and I would pull raffle tickets weekly. Students could choose from the prize box, which had cheap books, school supplies, and privilege passes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515977 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 12:01:42 +0000 Freckles 2515977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: ah I get it! We started reading logs in the 4th grade but honestly I hated them bc I really loved books and would read 1-2 books a day. My log would have numerous pages filled out and it was just a reason for kids to tease me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515971 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:57:01 +0000 DesertDreams88 2515971@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: @Freckles: </p> <p>Pros of reading logs: Sometimes it pushes students to read more, it can encourage parents &amp; children reading together, it can motivate students who are goal-oriented or reward-oriented, it gives a structure for regular reading.</p> <p>Cons of reading logs: It can make students think that reading is "work" and not an enjoyable pasttime, it puts a burden on the parents (to sign it &amp; observe it) when homework really should be on the kids, it focuses on quantity of reading and not quality (quality=discussions of the text, thinking about the text, etc). </p> <p>Reading logs also rely on extrinsic motivation, which (research shows) decreases intrinsic motivation. Now, I know tons of things in life and parenting rely on extrinsic motivation (sticker charts, potty rewards, timeouts, paychecks, etc) BUT I think we have to be very judicious and careful about using extrinsic rewards, and make sure they are always accompanied by conversations about the intrinsic value. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515964 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:53:32 +0000 lamariniere 2515964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was a kid, we didn't have homework until 5th or 6th grade. I know my son will have homework when he starts school this fall. It's not much, like a page a day. The 10 minute per grade rule that people have mentioned sounds appropriate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515936 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:40:14 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2515936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LindsayLou: @Truth Bombs: plus just knowing what your kid is learning in school is important. I remember both of my parents providing additional input on topics they felt were glossed over. Homework also allows parents to reinforce values like not giving up just because something is hard. For some reason math homework always seemed to have a little twist that wasn't taught in class, but was sure to be on the test. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515931 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:36:28 +0000 DesertDreams88 2515931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: well then, that brings up the question if high stakes testing in third grade is appropriate :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/homework-in-elementary-school#post-2515928 Tue, 05 Apr 2016 11:34:52 +0000 stargal 2515928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: see something like that i wpuld be completely ok with it. ☺i want tp hear About my lo day without spending precious time on worksheets. Their little brains need a break!</p> <p>I remember as a kid 5th grade and up spending hours dpong homework bc we were boggled down with assignments at my school. It also took me longer then the average kid tp complete them and often had to wait til my dad got home drom work (or wake up super early if he worked late) to do my math homework bc i didn't understand it. looking back at such a young age, i think that was ridiculous amount of stress, work and pressure put on by my public school. </p>