7/14/2023 0 Comments Kindergarten homework packet ideasIt’s not about me being unwilling tk give y child 5 minutes of my time as some of you have claimed as if a parents dislike of hw is because we’re too lazy, poor or uneducated to work with them. I may have multiple degrees but I’m still a single mother of two young children and when I’m home, I’d actually like to enjoy my time with my kids as well as engage in the functions of our whole families survival…secure in the fact that if my child isn’t labeled at school and doesn’t label himself then he’ll be just fine. Regardless of the situation of a student’s parents it’s not a teachers job to try to control what happens at home unless requested. Studies in France have shown that if in a supportive and free school and home environment almost all children will catch up to each other academically by the age of 8 if not labeled and pushed and requiring standards before that age can set children up for long term failure. I went to a private school and was allowed to explore and learn at my own pace, instead I’m seeing my children struggle and have to suffer and feel terrorized just to fall within the required state standards which doesn’t account for a child’s natural inclinations, growth pattern and learning style. Maybe I sound a bit snippy but I’m incredibly frustrated. He’s at school 8 hrs a day…when is he supposed play, do chores, or God forbid relax and watch PBS (you unwind don’t you? Why isn’t my child allowed to?)? And the patronizing elitist conversation directed at parents doesn’t help. 10-15 minutes…maybe for you…my 5 yr old sobs for an hr a night and that doesn’t include story time or flash cards, etc. It’s not only a waste of time, it not only causes familial strife and parental stress and student exhaustion but can create long term issues where the child learns to dislike school and learning, learns to categorize themselves as stupid or bad learners and can cause them to be labeled as such within their district. It doesn’t matter if you think the parents are clueless or the kids are watching TV after school. It doesn’t even benefit children who are “behind” (I.v haven’t learned the required rote memorization that may not even be developmentally appropriate for most kinders) Period. She continued to tell me how excited her child gets when they complete homework with help, little help, or on their own and that her child has gained so much pride and confidence in themselves this year.I guess I’m super confused by how people who are supposed to be reasonably educated “educators” of our children believe that their own anecdotal experiences or perhaps their hopes somehow negate all current research that homework for young children has no benefit from any standpoint and from any social economic group. One thing I will always remember this year is when I had a parent meet with me after school to tell me how much her and her child look forward to working on the homework packets each week. I am so happy I did! Throughout this school year, I have seen such incredible growth in learning, confidence, independence, and excitement! My students would be so excited for Monday because they knew that they would get a new homework packet from me. I decided to make the homework myself this year and to see how it went. Over the past couple years, I have been really wanting to send homework home with my students that had little prep time for me, but was also effective, engaging, fun, and hands-on for them.
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