OMG!
I am going crazy with trying to figure out a good homework schedule.My bgb are in 1st grade and they have very little homework for each(one) but when you put them together it adds up. My ds needs to learn how to study his spelling words, but it's never easy because my other ds is playing around being loud, which makes me loud. My dd needs help so I need to give her my attention and my crazy ds who is allways fooling around needs the least help. Oh and they each need to spend 15-20 min. reading or being read to. Oh and playdates when can that happen? My dh and I were even thinking when they get into higher grades to put 2 together, just so it's easier with homework. How do you get all this done, give the ones that need the attention the time they need and make sure everyone is learning. And I thought when they were babies it was rough. Back then it seemed hard but wow scheduling is rough. Please help

Donna Mom to Tyler, Samantha, Zackary and Honey Bear our English Mastiff

My kids are in 2nd grade, so I'm no expert, but here's what I've figured out so far. Working separately with each child is ideal (sounds like you've got that idea). Reading is the one thing we can do together each child taking turns reading a page out loud. But math and spelling, no.

How do you feel about computer games? That has been useful to us. All three have webkinz accounts and can play after homework is done, beds are made and their one (measly) chore is done. The boys are more into this.

One child is upstairs doing the bed (slowly, with some playing around, upstairs) or plays outside while another is working on homework with an adult downstairs. Then they switch. Then someone who is done can play 20 to 30 min on the computer while someone else is doing homework. So there are like 3 'stations': homework at the table, upstairs cleanup, and computer or outdoors. They rotate and you (or your partner, hopefully) do homework for an hour to an hour and a half. It works to allow me to focus on one child's work at a time.

It is NOT like clockwork - more like herding cats, but you know all about that by now. Each kid is different and finds some things easier or funner and other things harder or more boring. But you DO get to know them pretty well and how they are doing.

I mostly enjoy this time very much. (French spelling practice is the exception - I am in no position to justify French spelling rules. They make even less sense to me than English spelling rules. We just grit our teeth and memorize.) And the kids mostly kind of like it too (except for the French spelling). They LOVE getting 100% of my attention for a while, and I hear lots about what happens at school.

One other thing: maintain a binder of stuff that comes home and keep it packed up and out of reach. I keep each teacher's weekly newletter and it is very handy. To obtain this stuff in good condition you will need to personally supervise backpack cleanout on a daily basis at least for a while (longer for some children). This will also help locate lost socks and pieces of lunchkits.

So that's what I know so far. Best wishes,

Nancy

mom to beautiful BBG triplets, born February 2002 at 33 wks, 4 days

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Thank you so much. The roatating idea is perfect! I just did it with my dd. She did her homework while both of my ds played video games. She got my 100% attention and they got to let off some steam. Now she'll play and I'll give one of my ds another 100% of me and last but not least I'll give my last 100% to my other ds. Problem solving makes me happy all 300% of me LOL.
I love the reading idea too.
Thank you for sharing and helping
Donna Mom to Tyler, Samantha, Zackary and Honey Bear our English Mastiff

Hi! I read this a couple of weeks ago and I continue to think about it as I am doing homework with our first graders. Seems crazy that we spend our entire evenings on homework. However, we have done something similar to what the previous poster mentioned. We have three stations. Math, reading and bath. I do the math (and usually prepare dinner), my dh listens to the reading and we put the third kiddo in the tub. rotate until finished.

If I am home alone, I do all of the math - usually together - classroom style. Dinner, baths and then reading. If we are running short on time, I read aloud to them.

Hope this helps!

Stacy
Proud mother of
Ethan, Maizie, and Hunter
10/29/02

Our bbb are in 4th grade and in the same class so it is easier on us as far as they have the same homework but here is what we do. One usually does his homework right after he gets off the bus and has a snack. He is usually the one that needs the least help so while I unpack backpacks, lunch bags, etc, he sits at the breakfast bar and ask questions as needed. The other two have each other to play with and usually I allow 15 - 20 minutes of "down time" after school which includes the tv so for the most part they are quiet. The first son will then do his reading (30 min) and be done with homework. The other two I work with together around 4:30 or so before the craziness of dinner starts. The 1/2hour 45 minutes gets us through most of the written work if not all of it and then they do their reading after dinner. Them being 10 helps to because we can say go to your bedroom and read for 1/2 hour and they do it. Not sure how long that will last but for now it works. You will most likely find one needs help in one area one in another and finding the right balance is just trial and error. GOod Luck!

Linda
Aeron, Ethan & Austyn
11-19-99