Everyday when Thade comes home from school, I check his backpack for notes from the teacher, and look through his papers to see how his handwriting is improving. Yesterday tucked inside the daily paperwork was homework… Happily stamped, fill out and return to teacher. Last week they started a poem to work on nightly, and memorize by the end of the week, and this week it is worksheets to fill out, and another poem to memorize. Homework, really?!? in Kindergarten!
My hubby and I got to talking about homework, and we both remember homework in 3rd and 4th grade, but never in Kindergarten. The pressure of all day school is also taking its toll. Thade really truly enjoys school, but by 4:00 p.m. he is completely exhausted, and melting down waiting for dinner time. Drop off is also stressful, Thade often panics that he is going to be late, and receive a tardy slip. And the pressure of school has only just begun, it is only week #3, and the first year for all of us.
I find this a little troubling, to see homework in kindergarten. They are there for eight hours and then sent home with more tasks to accomplish… I’ve asked other parents too, and they are seeing their 4th graders sent home with an hour (sometimes two) of homework nightly, and that is just insane to me. I think that there is way too much pressure being put on our children, and my goodness they are going to be burnt out before middle school.
So what are you seeing in your school system… Too much homework, too little, stressed out kiddos? Feel free to vent any frustrations…
Nicco my youngest grandson still comes home exhausted from school, he is 8 he comes home I give him a snack and next thing I know he is asleep on the couch. He has done it day 1 since kindegarten. Yes homework in kindegarten has been a standard for the last 4 years, the 3 younger ones have come home with it.
It does get worse as it goes along with homework but the schools are pressed by the state and making sure they get the federal money Its all about the money
Vicki
I really enjoyed Brendan’s teacher last year. She rarely sent homework and was easy to talk with. This year he has had so much homework already and I am sure they are just starting out slow. He is supposed to read 15 minutes, do spelling homework and then work on math flash cards. I can only imagine what it will progress to later in the year. Poor Thade. I hope he gets his energy back!
When my kids were in kindergarten, they had homework every day and over the 2 week Christmas break, they had a packet to complete. Over the summer, they were to do a book report to hand in to their new teacher on the first day of school. Since then, they have had 1-3 1/2 or more hours of homework every night, plus reports and projects to work on. It can be very stressful. My kids are sometimes so tired that they come home and take a nap, then do homework. I feed them dinner at 4:30 on school nights and take a snack along when I pick them up. It’s a long day for the kids! It can also be very stressful for parents.
Oh Nico! After reading that homeschooling is sounding more appealing! LOL! I am not cut out to be a teacher.
Hope things get better! Love and hugs!
My boys are not in school yet, but homework is a big concern of mine also. I have the unique perspective of being a teacher before staying at home, and I still don’t agree with homework for kindergarden or hours of it for elem. kids. I don’t plan to homeschool, but I am concerned about the stress homework will cause our family. Don’t even get me started on full day for kindergarden either!!! ok- venting session over. Have a great weekend, Nico!
Homework for kinders??? That’s nuts!
Thanks Vicki! Thanks for sharing your story too… I know that the schools are really pressed for money, we are just starting that 4th week and already we’ve been sent home a list of “school money making activities” coming up, I just wish that they would let the kids be kids and give them a break for a little bit… I hope that the school year goes well for your grand-children, and that I don’t have to write too many more grumpy posts about homework 😉
Thanks Stacey! That does seem like a lot of homework, especially so early in the year. Thade is really tired and stressed out over the scheduling, but at the same time he really loves school, and misses it when he isn’t there. Although that third day he was asking about sick days 😉 Wishing you and Brendan the very best this school year.
Thanks Mimi! Wow, that is a lot of homework for the kiddos! I completely agree with you too, that adds a lot of extra stress to the parents too. I don’t think that I could get Thade motivated to work on homework over Christmas break ;), I’ll have to get some tips from you. I hope that you and your children have a wonderful school year, and hopefully not as much homework too.
Thanks Marva! You do an amazing job teaching your kiddos! We have often talked about homeschooling,and it really truly might be an option for us in the future. I know that Thade loves school, but I really don’t like to see him this upset over scheduling, he is only 5, and he really doesn’t need an ulcer ;)! He does love school though, and I’m trying to join the PTO, so maybe I can get a little more information on our local school systems, and find out what other parents are having trouble with too.
Thanks Heather! That is so cool that you have been a teacher too… Homework is a big issue for me, I can remember hours of homework in the latter part of elementary school, and I was really shocked to see Thade sent home with homework in Kindergarten. He finished it quickly, but I just think that it is way too early for that!!! Thade really does enjoy school, his teacher, and making friends too, but he is truly stressed out. He worries about the time, and I really think that they should take it easy on the younger kids…
Thanks Susan! Yeah, isn’t that a little crazy!!! He has a poem to memorize weekly, and sure enough homework. I’m worried what we’ll see next… The stress of being late (even though we’re pretty prompt) and the responsibility of getting from class to class is stressing Thade out, but he is really enjoying school. I’m torn though, I don’t like seeing him this worried.
I hope Thade’s anxiety settles down once he gets into a routine at school, if not I’d speak with his teacher. It’s good to keep the communication lines open.
Thanks Heather! School is going better, but Thade is still a little anxious in the mornings. I’m helping out as room coordinator for Thade’s class, so I hope to keep up the communication with Thade’s teacher.