Trying to help my 6 year old with homework, but....

Teresa - posted on 08/04/2011

We found some Spongebob phonics books that helped. Reading at home helps alot. Development is key also.

Danielle - posted on 07/28/2011

I think the key is definitely making it fun for them.. there are apps like Spell Tutor (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spelltuto...) that make the test like a game and when they feel like they are playing a game, it's fun to them and they don't feel like they are working :)

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

It's VERY hard! I do manage to get him in the bath by 8:00 and in bed with lights out by 9. A friend told me once that he should be in bed by 8! I almost screamed. As it is, we get home at 6:00. How on God's green earth would I be able to have homework done, dinner, bath and quality time with my son in 2 HOUR? 3 is not enough as it is.

Natalie - posted on 02/10/2009

wow!  I have a kindergartener who has to be read to for 15 minutes a night,  6 days a week.  That is her only homework.  My 1st grader has to read any book she chooses 6 days a week, I make her practice her spelling words every day (but this is not a teacher's requirement), and will randomly (once every other or every 3rd week) have a sheet of math problems to do.  I cannot believe how much homework your children have to do!!!  I don't know how my kids would get it all done with their extracurriculars taking up some of the time and they still go to bed by 8 pm!

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

That is a good idea. I am going to get tested and begin volunteering in class - once I'm in there I'll pitch my idea. I'm wondering now if any other parents have done this in his class. Teachers think they are helping the kids by giving them a homework free weekend, when in reality that is when working parents have more time to sit and focus on the work.

Nanette - posted on 02/10/2009

Maybe instead of talking to the teacher about the amount, you could start by suggesting a week long schedule like it was in kindergarten. I would approach it from a "Wow, we need your help here because our family life is soooooo hectic on school nights, and I really want poor little (insert child's name here) to get a good night's sleep so he's ready for all the great stuff you do here!" angle - hee hee - devious enough?

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

You know, I do forget sometimes that it is ok for me to read to him. I put way to omuch pressure on him to try on his own.



Slap slap slap.

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

Kindergarten was easier, it was a 10 - 12 page packet, but it was given on Fridays and due on the following Friday so they had a long time (and a weekend) to complete it. Now, he gets his packets on Mondays, due that Friday. 4 nights to work on it. AND cook dinner, AND clean up, AND try for quality kid time, AND bath time, AND try and get a book or two read before bed. AND then I get to try and relax. It's impossible.

Nanette - posted on 02/10/2009

ooooh and on the "word problem" front - I wouldn't frustrate him more than necessary. I would figure that at math time we're working on math, and I would read the problem to him. He's in first grade - he has time for all of these skills to come together - he will be a better reader next year!

Nanette - posted on 02/10/2009

Eeeeeeeeeeeeek! That's a nightmare. My child got a packet in first grade that was usually about 8 pages, and it was for a WEEK. That way we could work on it over the weekend when we had more time. Have you asked other parents how they feel? Maybe you could talk to the teacher, and if that's not satisfactory maybe the school council or something? I know you don't want to rock the boat - maybe ranting here is enough! I feel badly for you and your little guy.

Nanette - posted on 02/10/2009

Yeah, I would just go with memorization. If he is finding it challenging, make a game of it. Write the words on a piece of paper, kind of big, paying special attention to the taller letters and letters that hang below the line. Put a second piece of paper behind it, then cut out the words using only straight lines, so you get a tall rectangular part where there are tall letters, a rectangle that hangs below the line, etc. You will then have a set of the words, plus a set of shapes that match the words. First just have him match them up, what goes with what. Then play it like concentration or memory, with the words face down and the shapes mixed in there too. He finds the pair, then tells you what the word says to "win" the pair. I hope it's fun. (-:

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

As for not wanting to go against his teachers teachings, it is so hard when they send 20 pages home for them to work on in 4 nights. Something else that chaps my hide is that they send them him home with word problems that he can't read yet. Sure, he finds the taget words "more than, less than, lost one, etc." so he can tell if it's going to be an addition or subtraction problem, but it's just crazy the things they are handing them. And it's not a "do what you can" packet, it's a "you will be graded and it needs to be completed" packet! First grade! What is this? Is this happening EVERYWHERE? 5 pages of homework a night? What are they doing in class?



Sorry. Vent over.

Jennifer - posted on 02/10/2009

They are studying the site words. And right now it seems memory is the way to go.

Nanette - posted on 02/10/2009

*teacher-y mode* The sad fact is that English phonics make little sense. You can download a set of phonics rules from online, but for little readers, it's really mostly a case of memorization of individual words. Are you getting spelling lists from school? I'm wondering what kind of homework you are helping with. If you think he needs help, and you're trying to give some support, I would suggest practicing lists of word families - a set of words that have the same set of vowels and sounds. If he seems to be doing fine with phonics (ask his teacher if you aren't sure - she'll know how he's doing in comparison with his peers) I would just help him with the homework he has. If it's reading aloud, just listen to him and gently provide the word if he doesn't know it. I guess I mean don't try to TEACH phonics all over again if you don't have to. You are wise to want to support his teacher the way she is doing it, and it's hard to tell how that is from your house. (-: