The homework seems to a reasonable amount and at a level appropriate for a first grader, usually 1 or 2 sheets that should take no more than 20 or 30 minutes. But compared to my own experience in school, where homework was the exception rather than the rule, even in high school, watching my first grader do homework every day is a strange experience.

Discuss what you read.: focus on the sequence of events, making inferences about what could happen on the next page, what different endings could the author have written, who are the characters? Which ones are most important in the story? What words might your child not know the meaning of? Look them up together. See how the meaning fits into the story. Persue any interests that occur from the story…use a child’s dictionary and encyclopedia.

Take your child to community events, museums, the public library, the airport, the depot, city hall, fire station, book stores, etc. Talk with them about who, what, when and why these places are important to your family.

Be sure you child sees you read and write. Encourage them to do the same independently.

Do craft and hobby projects that strenghten followng directions and patience.

Buy your student workbooks from the book store or Walmart. They keep them busy, emphasize the importance of practice and extend their attention span for learning activities.

GO TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY…Everybody in the family should get books and value them during the time they are at the home.

Spend time at the public parks so that your child gets to play with lots of different children. Observe, keep them safe, but let them learn to play together.

I know these things just sound like things that good moms and dads do any way but….you would be surprised how many children do not receive these advantages. In some homes one parent may have to do these things because one parent is either absent or does not participate, but ithat can be done. If parents made a habit of doing things like the above, they would certainly fill up any time that might have been allotted for homework and in the big picture, more beneficial to students.

Enough…MOM

Listen to them read to you.
Take turns reading a child selected book.

Listen to them read to you.
Take turns reading a child selected book.

I’m going to check out that site you recommended. Thanks!

My children have all experienced the standardized test-driven teaching that seems to rule the schools these days; the majority of the effort is aimed towards preparing them to take the State Test rather than understanding the information. I hesitate to initiate conversation with the teacher(s) for fear of losing my temper, but will have to do something soon, because my children already are losing any of the joy they once had about the educational experience.