Page 1 of 5

Homework

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 2:52 am
by Northkentmum
Can anyone advise the best way to approach the homework issue. Daughter been at new school a week and a half and has had homework since the off, 3 subjects a night although some of it was small amount at first.

I have said she needs to do each peice as she gets it even if it's not due in for days or the following week so that she can keep on top of what she has each day.

What I am finding is she has very little "me" time as after school and dinner it's all homework and then bed. Even this weekend she was spending quite a bit of time doing work to clear outstanding homework due in 3 days. She's not complained (which I find amazing) whilst I'm trying not to help too much as I want school to see her own abilities and not those of parent/child.

Do you think she will speed up as she gets used to things and focuses her concentration or is this the norm for children in senior school? It seems awfully harsh to spend all day at school, come home and continue all evening then bed and start again the next day, should I encourage her to leave work not due in in next 2 days so always be 2 days ahead only and not try to complete anything due in later than this?

I'm very proud of the way she has knuckled down but am still a bit worried. Any advice from those of you who have children who have gone through the transition from junior to senior school would be appreciated.

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:44 am
by Catherine
Hi NKM,

From my own experience and what I have read here, I would say that the 'norm' for y7 grammar school homework is 3 pieces taking 1 hour to 1 1/2 hour, 5 days a week.

If your daughter has spent more time last week, it could just be that it is very early days and she needs to get used to loads of new things.
If it carries on, you may want to ask her to do her homework somewhere where you can keep tract of what she is doing, and try and understand what she spends her time on. Does she spend more time on one subject, on all of them, on a specific task etc...


PS: I have moved this topic to beyond 11+.

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:28 am
by Sally-Anne
What time was that post Catherine? :shock:

Hi NKM

DS has been taking ages over his homework too. I think the main reason is that all those shiny new school books deserve the neatest writing and presentation, so it all takes far longer.

Normal service will doubtless be resumed before long!

Sally-Anne

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:38 am
by Hilda
Oldest child now in Y10 and younger one just started in Y7 . In my experience best not to let homework build up - or you will find they are approaching the weekend with 8 pieces of homework to do which is soul destroying. It does get easier as a routine of some sort establishes. Gradually your child will be less tired, and also around 12 years old children suddenly seem to need less sleep.

Something I find helps mine is to encourage them to get changed out of their school uniform immediately they get home, then to have a quick snack and drink. That then starts the "home" time straight away. If they're still flopped in front of CBBC holding their school bag, and still in uniform 30 minutes after they walk through the door they don't feel as if they've had any "me" time.

Good luck
Hilda

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:16 am
by Scooby
my daughter tries to get some of it done at lunchtime or at break time, which takes the pressure off at home. At her GS they really worked them hard the first term but it did ease off after. In Year 8 I hardly saw her do more than half an her 3 x per week. I expect it varies quite a bit from school to school, however.

Homework

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:43 pm
by Melx
Hello there

I really feel for your daughter as my son was exactly the same last year when he joined SC. Like yours he seemed to want to get it done and so he too didn't seem to have any 'ME TIME'. In he would come at 4.45(he gets a bus) then change then straight into it. Fortunately he knew two boys who had started the year before and they had told him they wouldn't expect to see him out after school for a while so he accepted it. It was me that was worrying but eventually things do calm down and he realised he didn't haveto tackle everything straight away. I believe the school does give alot in order to get the children used to it so that when it does slow down they stay on top of it. I agree that a snack and drink before does help and pehaps you could also have a look at what she has each day so to see whether you can suggest what she does first. I think above all the important thing to do is tell her her how proud you are about the way she is coping and how great she is for wanting to get things done so quickly. Try not to let her see you are worried as she may then worry too.

Don't worry it really does calm down.

Mel

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:21 pm
by herewegoagain
Hello there Northkentmum. I don't know if your school has this policy but at my son's school if a piece of homework takes him more than 30 minutes we are asked to write a letter explaining this. They are not expected to complete the work if it is taking an excessive amount of time.

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 5:48 pm
by Cat
I am sorry if this is off topic, but I just wondered, does the extra homework, mean that they have to give up their after school stuff?

I fear a battle looming with my preteen if that is the case! :roll:

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:03 pm
by Catherine
Hi cat,

There is a recent discussion on the same issue here

http://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/ ... php?t=3284

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:24 pm
by Cat
Thank you Catherine. :D