Question about reading/homework

Ashley's teacher has a homework hotline that we call each day to get their homework assignment. (Usually, their homework takes about 20 mintues each day) The homework hotline said to study for the spelling test, complete their math, and read the book sent home and answer the questions on the character, setting, problem and solution.

So, I looked at the book Ashley was to read and it was a chapter book (the ones with smaller print, a lot of words, and not many pictures). There were 8 chapters and each chapter had about 15 pages. That seemed like a lot to read in one night to me ... there's no way Ashley could read that much in one night. It also seemed out of character for the normal amount of homework they usually have. How much reading does your first grader do? I think that the teacher either forgot to give a due date and they had more than one night to read the book, or she gave generic instructions for all the reading groups as the first level groups have smaller books with only a few words. I just had Ashley read the introduction, and first couple of chapters and then answer the questions and sent a note to her teacher with her homework. It took her about 45 minutes to an hour to complete the reading, and I could tell by the end of the reading she was done focusing for the time being.

What do you think... is it too much reading to expect them to read an entire chapter book for one night as homework or has that been your experience in first grade?

i think that is WAY to much to expect a kid to read in one night , WOW

That sounds like a simple oversight on the part of the teacher, Dee Dee, especially since it was out of the realm of what's "normal." She probably did forget about the kids reading chapter books vs. picture books. I have Corey stop after a half hour, no matter what the assignment is. She's six, and the recommendation is 10 minutes of homework for 1st grade. She exceeds that regularly, but I will only let it go so far.

I think that had to be a mistake, Kylie is reading chapter books but over the course of a week and not for homework. Their reading homework usually consists of some fluency exercises and 20-30 minutes of reading, our choice. Library books from school, our own books, etc.

That seems to be a mistake. Aliyah has 20 minutes of reading that she must do per day from a certain selection of books (they are rotating). She works on chapter ones, but certainly not one in a night!

I think you're definitely right- it was an oversight, and having Ashley read the typical amount should be just fine for tomorrow!

Glad to know I am not totally off-base here. And, the teacher did send home a note stating that it was an oversight and she meant to stick a note on Ashley's book as the kids all have different books and most could be read in one sitting.

Ashley usually is to do 10-20 minutes of reading each night (book of her choice) along with her other homework that is usually a math worksheet that reinforces what they learned in class that day. But, this was a specific assignment sent home. Usually, Ashley will choose to read a chapter book over a course of a week or so, but sometimes she will choose something a bit lighter. But, like I said, I'm glad to know I wasn't way off base thinking that was a lot for one night.

way too much reading for one night