Northeast Intermediate

[lorac07]

Bloominscranton...wondering how the open house went and how school/homework is going for your son? IMHO...homework CAN BE busywork, or it can be what is truly needed to reinforce concepts learned at school. In my experience, MANY kids will NOT do homework for a variety of reasons; additionally, some teachers have the kids start hw in school so that the teacher can "be there" if any issues come up. Some kids ARE bright and ambitious enough to finish HW in the allotted time. Some kids are more methodical and need to finish on their own time. MANY kids will NEVER take HW home, but might finish it in another class, in homeroom...or not at all. There is MUCH educational dispute over the validity of giving homework at all, especially in a lower-income poverty-stricken (ie----often very little parental involvement)--district, but really, overall in most districts. Bottomline: more homework does not necessarily equal a better course/teacher/education. HOWEVER...you , as a parent, can always ask your child's teacher to give your child more HW or more challenging assignments. Whether or not that teacher does that is, of course, up to the teacher...and then up to your child to meet the challenge.

[bloominscranton]

Thanks for your input, I read an article a few days after posting that basically said everything you said! LOl, timing is everything I guess. I was just surprised at the difference in amounts of homework from 5th to 6th grade. My son is very happy with his new school and seems to be doing well. I know with my son we need to reninforce spelling words etc with him, so we have him practice a bit more than what is required. Last night he was studing for his SS and Science test, and I was very impressed that he knew the material very well. He is very intersted in both of these subjects so I am sure that helps. Sadly neither my husband nor I made it on back to school night, I was ill and hubby got home to late. Our son was very disappointed in us, and this was the first back to school night that was missed.

[theatergypsy]

Originally Posted by bloominscranton

Thanks for your input, I read an article a few days after posting that basically said everything you said! LOl, timing is everything I guess. I was just surprised at the difference in amounts of homework from 5th to 6th grade. My son is very happy with his new school and seems to be doing well. I know with my son we need to reninforce spelling words etc with him, so we have him practice a bit more than what is required. Last night he was studing for his SS and Science test, and I was very impressed that he knew the material very well. He is very intersted in both of these subjects so I am sure that helps. Sadly neither my husband nor I made it on back to school night, I was ill and hubby got home to late. Our son was very disappointed in us, and this was the first back to school night that was missed.

bloom, don't beat yourself up about missing back to school night. In my vast experience, (five sons) there is no input from the teacher about individual students - just an overview of the course material and any teacher-specific requirements. I know you had concerns about homework or the lack thereof. I'm sure a quick note to the teacher(s) will get you a response and get your name on the list of "Parents Who Care".

[bloominscranton]

Originally Posted by theatergypsy

bloom, don't beat yourself up about missing back to school night. In my vast experience, (five sons) there is no input from the teacher about individual students - just an overview of the course material and any teacher-specific requirements. I know you had concerns about homework or the lack thereof. I'm sure a quick note to the teacher(s) will get you a response and get your name on the list of "Parents Who Care".

Thank you~ I did send all of his teachers an email the night before back to school night, offering my well wishes for the school year and letting them know if any additional supplies were ever needed feel free to ask. I also sent another email to one of his teachers asking for an explaination about two of his classes, so far I have not heard anything back from anyone. I am going to give the teacher to next Wednesday, and then send in a note with my son.