aveggiegirl
Cathlete
Did you ever talk to your son's second grade teacher about the homework? Just curious.
Elliemom
- Thread starter aveggiegirl
- Start date
elliemom
Cathlete
Oh yes I did!!!
She is really a lovely person so I didn't want to come off to harsh but I did get an explanation for some of it. Since my boys go to a Catholic school, we are not fighting the No Child left behind act. But, she feels that the parents aren't doing enough at home with their children on a regular basis. She said she still has children (in second grade) who do not know how to tell time or count money etc. She said that over the years she has found that parents leave it all up to the teacher. And there is just not enough time for her to do reading and math and spelling etc in the classroom without parental support at home. She used to have to stop the entire math class and go back over the basics, just to move up to the next level.
I find that quite sad. I read to my children every night and my 2nd grader reads to me. My preschooler can do simple math on paper. 1+1=2 etc.
So she is somewhat forcing the parents to get involved and know what the children are learning in school and how to put it all together. She also said that 3rd grade they must be more independent and not have as nuch help in the classroom.
Long story short, she is willing to poll the other parents and see if they feel the same way. I already know the answer to that!!!! She is willing to cut back on the 20 spelling sentences and the repetitive words IF each parent agrees. I told her that most of the parents I have spoken to are struggling to get it all done in one night. Kids need rest and playtime and a good dinner. And I have a younger child who needs my attention also.
Thank You for asking. Of course I am writing this after spending the weekend doing a diarama and a book report!!!!!!
ellie
She is really a lovely person so I didn't want to come off to harsh but I did get an explanation for some of it. Since my boys go to a Catholic school, we are not fighting the No Child left behind act. But, she feels that the parents aren't doing enough at home with their children on a regular basis. She said she still has children (in second grade) who do not know how to tell time or count money etc. She said that over the years she has found that parents leave it all up to the teacher. And there is just not enough time for her to do reading and math and spelling etc in the classroom without parental support at home. She used to have to stop the entire math class and go back over the basics, just to move up to the next level.
I find that quite sad. I read to my children every night and my 2nd grader reads to me. My preschooler can do simple math on paper. 1+1=2 etc.
So she is somewhat forcing the parents to get involved and know what the children are learning in school and how to put it all together. She also said that 3rd grade they must be more independent and not have as nuch help in the classroom.
Long story short, she is willing to poll the other parents and see if they feel the same way. I already know the answer to that!!!! She is willing to cut back on the 20 spelling sentences and the repetitive words IF each parent agrees. I told her that most of the parents I have spoken to are struggling to get it all done in one night. Kids need rest and playtime and a good dinner. And I have a younger child who needs my attention also.
Thank You for asking. Of course I am writing this after spending the weekend doing a diarama and a book report!!!!!!
ellie
aveggiegirl
Cathlete
Good for you Ellie!
It is sad for the children who don't get support at home. There is a little boy in my class who really struggles and is way below grade level. One day I asked him who helps him with his homework. Sadly, he replied, nobody. If I assigned extra workbook pages for homework it wouldn't help him or the others that don't get what they need at home. It would only make the "good" parents have more work to do with their children and I just don't think that is right.
It is sad for the children who don't get support at home. There is a little boy in my class who really struggles and is way below grade level. One day I asked him who helps him with his homework. Sadly, he replied, nobody. If I assigned extra workbook pages for homework it wouldn't help him or the others that don't get what they need at home. It would only make the "good" parents have more work to do with their children and I just don't think that is right.
elliemom
Cathlete
I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom. But my DH travels 80% of the time. So I am doing this all on my own. How are single mothers and working mothers doing it. Something has to give right???? You can't learn in school if you are not rested and you are not eating right! And boys need a little extra time to run off the excess energy.
For the parents that think that any school can do it all for their child are wrong. Simple everyday learning experiences are so easy to incorporate. When I go to the store I let the boys (5 and 7) pay the cahier the $1.07. This helps them to add the change and learn that money comes out of your pocket. Sometimes if i have a bunch of email to do I will ask them to tell me when 1/2 hour is up. This helps them learn time.
And on cold winter days (weekends too) we play STORE. They have me buy their little toys for a certain amount of money and vice versa.
We also have a word of the day calendar for kids. We learn what the word means and we try to use it a few times during the day.
Thanks so much for your imput and encouragement
ellie
For the parents that think that any school can do it all for their child are wrong. Simple everyday learning experiences are so easy to incorporate. When I go to the store I let the boys (5 and 7) pay the cahier the $1.07. This helps them to add the change and learn that money comes out of your pocket. Sometimes if i have a bunch of email to do I will ask them to tell me when 1/2 hour is up. This helps them learn time.
And on cold winter days (weekends too) we play STORE. They have me buy their little toys for a certain amount of money and vice versa.
We also have a word of the day calendar for kids. We learn what the word means and we try to use it a few times during the day.
Thanks so much for your imput and encouragement
ellie
LaughingWater
Cathlete
I'm glad to hear the teacher was responsive and willing to adjust her approach. 
Regarding the problem of hands-off parenting, I'm not surprised. Sadly.
Regarding the problem of hands-off parenting, I'm not surprised. Sadly.