How much pressure?

[1234ThumbWar]

DD1 has just started in year 7 so it's all new to her and to me. Last week I read a some homework she had done and explained to her that she'd spelt some words repeatedly wrong and that I didn't think she'd done enough. She just answered the question, where it was clear that she was supposed to give an opinion and discuss it a little. Sure enough the homework was given a low mark (4c) with notes saying exactly what I had told dd. I am quite cross with her because she is capable of doing much better, she'd just done the minimum and I had asked her to go back and look at it, which she didn't.

As we've had so many exams in the last year (SAT's and 11 plus) we've been trying not to put too much pressure on her and have emphasised that as long as she does her best we're happy. I'm not sure what the best method is now, I don't want her to slip into lazy habits and just do the minimum required. However I'm also aware that there's been a lot of change in the last few weeks, so I don't want to tip her over the edge. Also I haven't been checking all her homework, just the odd bit and I'm wondering if I ought to be. Any ideas others with secondary school dc's?

[mnistooaddictive]

Is there a guideline time for homework such as 30 mins perpiece? If so, encourage to spend this long on each piece. Explain that she can read through her work and make corrections additions. I wouldn't get into checking all her homework as then she will see it that you rather her is the one responsible. You can ask to see the odd biut though. Where is she doing her homework, are you around as she is doing it?

[AMumInScotland]

I wouldn't check the content of her homework tbh, as I think by secondary school they should not need checked up on. But I'd make sure she is getting a suitable place/time in the day where she can work effectively, and talk to her about how to keep track of her workload and prioritise it - eg keeping a homework diary, making sure she knows when pieces of work are due.

She's probably still settling in and working out what is expected - I'm sure the teachers will make it clear enough with the marks and comments that a piece of work is not good enough.

[1234ThumbWar]

Thanks both of you - I'm especially glad to read you both saying not to check her homework. Other than the odd bit I've left her to it thinking it was the right thing to do, but you know how it is - then I think am I being lazy.

So, I think I'll continue to help her organise herself and her homework. We've been trying out doing homework after supper, she's at the dining room table while dd2 and ds are doing their homework/spellings/times tables. I try to keep it generally quiet, but I'm around if anyone has questions.