HOMEWORK STARS

This is what homework looks like so far this year. 

 Cora usually has just 1 or 2 pages of math and/or vocabulary/writing, sometimes a short reading passage in her textbook, and a monthly sight word list to study (they are tested at the end of each month). James usually has 1 page of math, 1 page of vocabulary/writing, a reading passage (from his textbook) followed by a writing challenge (5 sentence paragraph based on the leading question at the end of the passage), and weekly vocabulary and spelling lists of words to study (which he is tested on every Friday). They're both starting AR books this week (they had to wait for their STAR Exam scores so that their teachers would know which levels to assign them, even though we'd have been happy starting back right where we left off last spring), which are to be read each night (even nights without assigned homework) so that they can test as soon as they're ready. Sometimes I think this seems like a lot, sometimes I don't. Depends on my mood. I would generally prefer the kids to just read at home (both to us and silently in their rooms) and leave the paperwork at school, but I admit it's nice to see their progress in math and writing (and be able to assist or make suggestions when needed, especially since James and his phonetic writing style leave a lot to be desired in the spelling department, so some gentle reminders from his parents that the words he writes are usually written plain as day for him to refer to in the text is not a bad thing...) I won't complain regardless though, because homework is only ever assigned on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays here (Wednesdays are church nights here in the Bible Belt and we're too young for weekend homework), so it could be worse. On the plus side, James has been AWESOME about staying on task and finishing his homework in 20-30 minutes (the above workload would have taken us 1-2 hours last year) and Cora is always done quickly. And it's been very nice retiring to the couch together after homework and chores are done to all read quietly to ourselves for 20 minutes or so - no better way to relax after a long day at work! (I really enjoyed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, by the way!)