What a wide and diverse group!  One thing is for sure, they all think that they know everything and you know nothing.  Even the best behaved ones!

 

My stance on this age group is a little different than with kindergarten.  I do like to see them get through part or all of their homework before going home.

 

Our general schedule would be to come home, unwind a bit, eat a snack, play outside if possible and then sit down and get some work done.

 

As a general rule, I like them to spend 15 minutes per grade level.  For example, 1st grade will spend 15 minutes, 2nd 30 minutes, 3rd, 45 minutes, 4th 1 hour, 5th 1 hour 15 min, and 6th 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Now, do I think it's fair to make some of the kids sit that long straight through...no.  We take breaks, often and sometimes at different times to allow me to spend time with an individual who may be struggling with a certain problem.

 

As a mom of a second grader, I am very good at determining the ,"Oh no...I don't have ANY homework" farce.  Fortunately most teachers require the children to keep a planner....and they can't escape the planner.

 

I do offer tutoring for these age groups and have experience doing so.  Helping with homework is not considered tutoring.  Tutoring is one-on-one during non-daycare hours.

 

 

Homework is not the only thing your child will be doing!  I promise!  I love doing arts and crafts with elementary students.  They love working with all sorts of materials.  Boys of this age are, well boys.  We make slime, play with mud and worms and frogs...without making too much mess.  Boys of this age like crafts too, but it usually involves making masks, airplanes, and cartoon drawings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also give the kids a day off.  Once a week, usually Fridays, we will have free-time and watch movies.  I have a lot of board games and I am surprised at how much 5th graders like to play Jenga and Monopoly.  Games ~I~ grew up playing.  They are ready and available.  I also have a wide array of children's literature.  I love books!  I check out Newberrys from the library all the time, and I have a pretty big collection myself.