Over 250 pages of summer H.W.... Good grief!!

I really don't understand yeshivos.
My son got over 250 pages of summer homework while the teachers are taking a break and resting up for the new school year. What were they thinking?!?
I understand the desire to keep their minds fresh with the material, but this is just plain torture!
He doesn't get a break (and therefore, neither do I)!
This does not even include their summer reading list! Give me a break!
Evil or Very Mad

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3040

That DOES sound like a lot. Does it include every subject, or is it mostly math or something? Summer "brain drain" is a real thing, and kids really do need some summer homework in order to combat it, but this sounds excessive. Maybe call the school and voice your complaint? It won't help you this year, but it might for next year (especially if other parents complain). In general, the point of summer HW is to keep school fresh for the kids. The packets are large because you're supposed to do say, a page a day (250 is excessive, but 60-70 would be reasonable). Waiting till August to cram it all in pretty much defeats the purpose.

I do resent your claim that teachers are lounging off on vacation. Completely untrue. We work hard throughout the summer- first to get the grades out, and then to get everything in place for next year. Many also work jobs to supplement their income. A little respect, please.

wow that is a lot! what grade is he in? dd has 136 pages. she is in first grade. she hates hwk. I have a fun time getting her to do it. 17 pages a week and 4 a day. she hates the kriah and math ones.

its hard to get her to do it especially after camp b/c she is tired then. its easier when she is home - not at camp.

good luck dealing with it. I am getting her a prize that she picked out when she finishes. I think that dh and I also need a prize. getting her to do it is like pulling teeth.

Diamond Member Joined: Sep 17 2009 Posts: 3989

250 pages seems excessive. What grade is your son in. Don't think for a second that teachers are not working through the summer, and remember we have to grade the summer hw.

Are teachers/schools really working during the summer? I know a number of teachers who love summer because it's their vacation... no one seems to be at schools in the summer getting ready for the school year until much much closer..

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3040

We started the work in July and tried to complete at least a few pages a week. I sat down yesterday and calculated that in order to finish, he'd have to do approximately 8-9 pages a day.
I'm sorry, but that's just too much!
My babysitter was astounded at the quantity of work she saw he was assigned!

(sorry re: the offense to teachers)

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3040

Morah
Why in the world would a school give that much?

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3040

I know this sounds like a blame, but shouldn't the principals be on top of this to begin with?
Why do they need parents to bring something like this to their attention? There are only so many grades.

Diamond Member Joined: Apr 18 2010 Posts: 3040

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 18 2005 Posts: 2964

first, the fact that the teachers are or are not on vacation has nothing to do with the issue of too much summer h.w.

next, you are the mother. if you think its too much, limit it. have your child do what you think is an appropriate amount and then either write a note or call the teacher at the beginning of the school year. I do this every year for at least one of my children and its never been a problem.
want to know a secret? lots of kids dont do ANY of it. I think the teachers are under pressure to assign it, I'm not sure anyone thinks all of that is necessary although I do believe that kids should be doing regular math, reading review over the summer.

Maybe they assigned all that thinking the truly ambitious will get it all done.
It seems exorbitant to me.
I'm going to take your advice, granola mom, and just have my child do what he needs to keep up his review.
If he's given a hard time, I'll speak with the staff, as morah suggested.
I feel a bit better thinking about it differently. It becomes about preparing him and not about proving himself.

Summers are teachers' comp time! Plus they work at least a week after classes let out, plus at least another week doing professional development, plus another week preparing their classrooms, and - trust me - teaching is on their mind 24/7 just about! Anyway, 250 pages does seem like an awful lot!

I'm not sure what each "page" consists of, but it sure does sound like a lot.

Are they requiring your son to learn new material, or is this simply a refresher for old material?

Is his school very demanding during the school-year?

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 17 2011 Posts: 6011

I have a different perspective. I would like my kids to be given that much homework. In addition to my son learning Gemura daily, I give my kids work to do daily on secular subjects.

I go out and find the books which are getting harder as the grades get higher. I would like a teacher supervised curriculum. I don't think our kids learn enough of the secular subjects so I supplement during the year also.

My kids know this work is a must. After dovening, they must do their work, clean their rooms and help me before we do their fun activities. They are done with everything, including showers, by 10:00 a.m.