When children are in the 2nd grade, they're still fresh to the school system and the distinction between work and play is still unclear. As a teacher of children of this age, fathoming where they're developmentally is important. It does no good to develop unreasonable expectations of 2nd graders because you feel they should be able to conquer the academics you have in mind. It is that they aren't up to the challenge intellectually. They simply may not be where you wish them to be in their maturity to handle complex or challenging assignments.
This idea is especially fundamental when assigning homework to second graders. Older children can grasp that homework is similar to dad doing his paperwork for the office at home and they can model that behavior because "working" makes sense. But homework for 2nd grade students should be customized to the age of the kids and to the particular students you have in your classroom. The first rule of thumb for any 2nd grade teacher is to not go the route of giving homework that's in the curriculum without regard for your class and what they can and maynot do. Customize the work based on what you know of them and the effects will be much more gratifying.
Keep in mind similarly that when you send homework with the children, you're much more giving the parents homework even more so than the children. Sending assignments home with 2nd grade kids to be handed in the next day is a direct statement to the parents of "This is how I expect you to spend your family time with your child." Parents know this well and since most teachers will make effort not to make enemies of the parents of their kids, it is best to cover homework expectations with the parents during parent conferences early in the year so you don't take them by surprise.
Be sure that you limit the quantity of homework especially if you're going to spread assignment over a number of academic subjects. At this age level, you're teaching them 2 things when you send homework with them. You are using the homework to reinforce the classroom activity and teaching. But you are also teaching them the very idea of taking work home, making sure mom and dad know as regards it, completing it and returning it.
If you may get good homework habits so your kids learn to merely do their optimal on each assignment, bring it back and turn it in, you'll conquer one of the largest problems students at every age level struggle with which is staying organized. Work with your parent community so they know what you are doing and assign homework that's within the time and attention span capabilities of your students. If you are smart in how you utilize homework to extend the teaching that occurs in the classroom, you'll see more success with your students which means happier students, a happier teacher and, maybe most essential, happier parents.
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