My views on this

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Home : 2004 : November : 12

My views on this
By Cathy-Dee

I hate to say it but I think it was too much as well. 75 math questions - even easy ones seems too much when 25 or 30 would be more than sufficient for them to practice at home.

The question arises - why are we sending
homework home. Is it because the children are struggling and need extra practice? Is it because it is something everyone does? Rather than send home a page or two with 75 questions - perhaps send home blank note cards and have students make up 10 to 15 flash cards to have someone drill with them. That would be more useful in helping them to memorize their basic facts.
As far as the

child is concerned - yes she wants to please you - yes she wants to do well - most children do. But she is also 7 or 8 years old - this is young and she is still very dependant upon her parents in helping her to set aside time for homework. At age 7 or 8 she shouldn't have more than 15 to 20 minutes of homework a night (and even that I think can be too much for every night). And that should include reading, spelling, math, etc., so when you see the time - how long would she have to sit to do 75 questions, it may very well be just too long for some students to handle. For example if she did 2 questions per minute - we are looking at about 37 minutes. If she does 3 questions per minutes about 25 minutes. And this is for just the math - she wouldn't have done any spelling or reading.

And I don't believe we should give extra homework because children have a day off. They may be busy that day doing things or with a babysitter - thus the work becomes evening work and yes by the end of Thursday I can see how the child was tired and not wanting to do her homework.

However this is your homework policy and so you need to stand by your decisions. Yes the mother may make trouble for you but we will never please all parents. As long as you can back up what you are doing to your administrator then don't worry.