Homework: A Poll of sorts

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-15-2007
Homework: A Poll of sorts
17
Sun, 09-02-2007 - 10:08am

We start school on Tuesday, and I'm seriously putting down some rules in writing for my kids for the school year (ie., bedtime, computer/TV time, wake-up time, etc.). As far as homework/piano practice, we have struggled in the past to find the "ideal" time to do it. I am thinking that on nights that they have an activity, they must do their homework immediately after school. On "free" nights, I think I will let them play with friends after school, but allow no TV/screen time until homework/practice is finished, and homework must be worked on immediately after dinner.

What do you do in your house? Do you allow down-time right after school? What is the homework policy that works best for your family?

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Avatar for bradleyteach
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Registered: 06-29-2001
Mon, 09-03-2007 - 9:25am

Great question, lilacgirl!

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Registered: 03-27-2005
Mon, 09-03-2007 - 10:02am

Connor has a packed music schedule. Our rule is academic homework/studying right afterschool. Afterwhich he can focus his school choirs, guitar lesson and arranging music for the teen worship team at church.

stacy

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Registered: 01-17-2004
Tue, 09-04-2007 - 12:04am

There isn't much flexibility in our schedule. Most days she starts her homework as soon as she gets home, and will need to leave for an activity. After the activity she finishes homework, has dinner, a shower, and goes to bed. She usually has sometime to watch TV.

On a light homework night, with no activites, I will allow her to spend some time with a friend after school before starting her homework.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 09-04-2007 - 12:13am

It's not a definite answer day-to-day and year-to-year.

We suffered with spelling homework (especially sentences) from 1st through 3rd grades (she's a GREAT speller--would get all the words right on her pre-tests, but still had to do the homework!). It was taking her between 2 and 4 hours to do all her homework. And it was mid-year 3rd grade that we found out this homework is much easier done later in the evening.

But, she didn't HAVE to do the spelling homework in 4th grade and in 5th grade, all she has to do is write the words 3 times each on Monday (no other day). The rest of her homework has been manageable enough (except Jan-Mar last year when there was more and she missed 11 days) to get it done immediately upon coming home from school (after snack).

It also depends on after-school activities. Last year, she went to a library program every other week right after school and Girl Scouts every other week in the evenings. This year, both activities are in the evenings, but neither have started yet (Book Club at library starts Thurs--Girl Scouts 9/17).














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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2006
Tue, 09-04-2007 - 8:18am
Hmmmm....I forgot that I have to lay down the rules LOL My DD starts school on Wednesday.
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Registered: 05-27-1998
Tue, 09-04-2007 - 8:29am

My kids are pretty self-motivated about homework, but not about long-term projects. My 10 yo son will come home from school, get a snack, and start on his work right away. My 12 yo DD needs some down time to read or play the piano. Then, she'll get her snack and start her HW.

When it comes to long-term projects, I have to remind them to do a little bit each day and don't allow TV or computer until they have done something for the project.

I think it's really difficult to do HW at night because they're tired and have a harder time focusing on math or writing, esp. if they do sports or drama. During the musical rehearal season last year, my DD would sometimes get up an hour earlier to do her HW just so she wouldn't have to do it at night after rehearsal.

I think your policy of letting them play with friends but not have TV/computer is a good one. Hanging out with other kids gives them a chance to relax, but being on the computer or watching TV sucks them in and makes it much harder to pull away and do something else.

Avatar for ang2gals
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 09-04-2007 - 10:41am

Now that my older dd is in MS & a latchkey I let her start homework after she has a snack then get as much done possible w/out our help. Also after ydd gets picked up from aftercare & gets home we pretty much do homework right away since she is on a travel soccer team. My older dd was on a yr round basketball team before so I use to have her do her HW first thing since she had so many practices that ran until 9pm & then wkend tournaments.

Spring is really busy for us since my DH is coaching ydd in lacrosse so when we have activities its important to get HW done first thing otherwise its more relaxed.

-- Ang

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