Homework on Week-ends?
 

My step-son is in the sixth grade and his first year in middle school. Obviously there was a massive increase in homework (as opposed to elementary school) but what KILLS me, is that he has homework on the week-ends. I'm not anti-homework by any means, but this week-end thing really bothers me. Can't kids have some sort of a break? And not only that, *I* resent having to stop whatever plans we have so he can do homework. I've not expressed this to my step-son at all, God knows he doesn't need me to make homework a negative thing. I was just curious if Ledgie parents in other areas (I live in The South-NC- where the schools are at the bottom of the list) are experiencing the same thing, and how do you feel about it?

How much weekend homework is he given, generally? Is it something that can be done all on Sunday evening, or is it so much that he ends up spending half the weekend working on it?

Well, he's the type of kid to do it all in one sitting (and it's ALWAYS on Sunday night), but I would say anywhere between 1-2 hours, depending on the subject matter.

1-2 hours total? Or 1-2 hours per subject?

1-2 hours total doesn't seem like that a big a deal to me. I think I had about that by the time I got to 6th-7th-8th grade. 1-2 hours per subject seems like a hell of a lot to saddle a kid with on the weekend, though.

But a decent amount of weekend homework can be a good way to teach kids time managament.

Yeah, that sounds about right for his grade. Pretty normal. On top of the weekend homework assignments, most likely he will have one or two 'big' projects this year to do (science, etc) that will take several hours on the weekend, maybe two weekends in a row.

The nice thing is at least teachers usually give the kids tests on Fridays so they don't have to worry about them all weekend.

Kids do get a break, its called summer vacation. LOL. I think most people, if given a choice would much rather spend an extra hour or two at work on the weekend (any 1-2 hour slot they choose!!) and get mid- June to Sept off to do whatever they want! Whooo hoo-- we would be a very happy society!

Hang tough mom, the workload will only increase every year.

my good friend had a son in NC schools, and he had homework starting in kindergarten....he's just in 2nd grade now...the amount of reading was huge, and the teachers chastised my friend if she couldn't get it done with him every night....i remember having a TON of homework for my accelerated classes all throughout school...finally, in 11th grade, I was allowed to give up the crazy ENGL class....it was hours of homework....I hated it so much! I think the schools are giving more homework now, and earlier. I feel so bad for parents who work full time...it's like you're in school all over again, too.

Sigh- I know you're right. I guess the week-ends are so about decompressing for me. But when you put it that way, it totally makes sense and I will explain it to him like that the next time he complains. :)

When he first started in middle school, it was a nightmare. The homework usually took 3 hours a night. But once he adjusted to everything, we got it down to about an hour or so. I was so excited this week-end because I was actually able to help him with his math! Somehow I have a feeling that won't last very long. :rolleyes:

Homework takes some adjusting for everyone. The frustration level can get quite intense (for both the child and the parent)...just remember, children are an investment and the time and energy you put into this child will pay off ten fold down the road. You are responsible for forming his positive attitude toward work and teaching him to relish accomplishments. Keep your head high, be strong for him and you will raise wonderful, successful young man.

I always did my homework Friday night. It only took a couple hours of my time. Then it would be done for the weekend. I still had time on Friday nights to go to the football and dance.


....and it's ten times worse in college!

Wow. I never even got homework on Friday nights. Monday through Thursday, that was it. Then I went to college...

My daughter had homework in Kindergarten. It was only one page a night, though. She's in first grade this year, and I think her teacher is brilliant about the homework situation. On Monday, the spelling homework assignment is given for the week. So, you can do it all Monday night, or, you can spread it out, and turn it in on Friday. Also, math homework is given at the beginning of the month, and is due at the beginning of the next month. There is a minimum of what needs to be done. So, she does one spelling assignment and two math assignments nightly. It works beautifully.

Now that's how you teach kids time management! Sounds like a wonderful teacher.

that is awesome! i was always such a procrastinator, that I was trying to shove everything into 1 or 2 nights...this teacher really knows about time management...for the kids and the parents!

He really is awesome! I just love 'em. And, it's not just time management. It's also about organization, and being responsible for your stuff. It's hard to keep all these math pages together for a month! I wound up buying a folder, and she hangs it up on the fridge so she can keep track of it better.