- Sep 23, 2010
- 10
- 2
- 24
My daughter just started 2nd grade. She is going to the same school she has been in since KG. Now, I know it is only second grade. BUt she is not getting any homework sent home. Or any of the classwork she does during the day.
When we asked her about having homework the answer we got for the first two weeks was "Mrs A says she wants us kids to get into the routine first" Ok. I will buy that a bit. But they are in second grade. They should know the "routine" by now.
Now a few more weeks in(they began school the last week of August) She is getting a page of spelling words sent home on Monday. And THAT IS IT for homework for the week. Nothing else. No pages to practice writing the words. Nothing. Even in 1st grade they sent home the words and the meanings of the words etc. My husband and I have discussed the lack of homework and that we feel she should be getting some sent home for reinforcement of the classroom teaching. And also so that WE know what she is learning and how she is doing.
Anyway. Tonight was the schools open house. We went and ran into a parent of one of her classmates and asked her about it. She had already been to the classroom and met with the teacher. She pulled out a sheet of classwork her daughter had done, but that was not sent home. Nor did it have a date. Anyway. All it said on it in purple marker was "Fix this" It didnt seem like it had been explained to the kids what was expected. We then asked her how she felt about the "homework" or lack there of. And she told us what the teacher told her. That the homework is the spelling words. Words like "tune" "page" "erase" "vote" and that she AND the other second grade teachers are not sending home work to do.. and here's the kicker "because it takes too much time to make sure all the kids get the papers, bring it back and then she has to look them over." I dont know, but I always thought THAT WAS THE JOB!
When I asked if she could send papers home to reinforce what was being taught in the classroom she looked at me and
said "I dont send home busy work" To my husband and I this is NOT busy work. It is reinforcing what she should be being taught in the classroom. When it was obvious that she wasnt getting what I was asking for I told her I would be getting one of the grade two workbooks for Sarah. She said "Well if it's busy work you want then by all means"
Am I missing something? Is this the way kids are being taught all of a sudden because of the cuts to education? Or is this teacher just lazy? Or is it because of the standardized tests the kids have to take now. We live in MASS and MCAS begins in 3rd grade. I know some of the parents are probably happy with only the spelling words being sent home. But I want my daughter to get an education. I am a parent that gives a rats behind and is involved.
I dont know. I will be getting the 2nd grade workbook this weekend and we will do a page or two a night in that. Just to make sure she is getting taught. I dont want her to fall behind or not be challenged because her teachers doesnt have or want to take the time to send work home and grade it when it is returned.
When we asked her about having homework the answer we got for the first two weeks was "Mrs A says she wants us kids to get into the routine first" Ok. I will buy that a bit. But they are in second grade. They should know the "routine" by now.
Now a few more weeks in(they began school the last week of August) She is getting a page of spelling words sent home on Monday. And THAT IS IT for homework for the week. Nothing else. No pages to practice writing the words. Nothing. Even in 1st grade they sent home the words and the meanings of the words etc. My husband and I have discussed the lack of homework and that we feel she should be getting some sent home for reinforcement of the classroom teaching. And also so that WE know what she is learning and how she is doing.
Anyway. Tonight was the schools open house. We went and ran into a parent of one of her classmates and asked her about it. She had already been to the classroom and met with the teacher. She pulled out a sheet of classwork her daughter had done, but that was not sent home. Nor did it have a date. Anyway. All it said on it in purple marker was "Fix this" It didnt seem like it had been explained to the kids what was expected. We then asked her how she felt about the "homework" or lack there of. And she told us what the teacher told her. That the homework is the spelling words. Words like "tune" "page" "erase" "vote" and that she AND the other second grade teachers are not sending home work to do.. and here's the kicker "because it takes too much time to make sure all the kids get the papers, bring it back and then she has to look them over." I dont know, but I always thought THAT WAS THE JOB!
When I asked if she could send papers home to reinforce what was being taught in the classroom she looked at me and
said "I dont send home busy work" To my husband and I this is NOT busy work. It is reinforcing what she should be being taught in the classroom. When it was obvious that she wasnt getting what I was asking for I told her I would be getting one of the grade two workbooks for Sarah. She said "Well if it's busy work you want then by all means"
Am I missing something? Is this the way kids are being taught all of a sudden because of the cuts to education? Or is this teacher just lazy? Or is it because of the standardized tests the kids have to take now. We live in MASS and MCAS begins in 3rd grade. I know some of the parents are probably happy with only the spelling words being sent home. But I want my daughter to get an education. I am a parent that gives a rats behind and is involved.
I dont know. I will be getting the 2nd grade workbook this weekend and we will do a page or two a night in that. Just to make sure she is getting taught. I dont want her to fall behind or not be challenged because her teachers doesnt have or want to take the time to send work home and grade it when it is returned.