Please read the article below and blog your thoughts.
Basic strategies for assigning homework
Suggestions for establishing homework assignments and policies.
Research on homework shows that it is not the valuable educational tool that many believe. Kralovec and Buell (2001) found that “homework often disrupts family life, interferes with what parents want to teach their children, and punishes students in poverty for being poor.” In addition, homework has serious limitations for teaching and learning.
For elementary students, homework does not improve academic achievement (Cooper, 1994). Supporters of homework claim that homework in the elementary grades can develop character traits like self-discipline and time management skills. However, this view lacks solid evidence.
Based on this information, the following suggestions should be kept in mind when considering homework assignments and policies:
- Be mindful of the amount of homework assigned. Homework types and amounts must be modified consistent with individual student needs, even within regular education. Remember that what is ten minutes work for one student can easily be an hour’s work for another.
- Homework should never be counted as a part of the content grade unless the teacher is certain that all the students in the class come from a similar level of environmental enrichment and parental support.
- Provide a system for checking children’s materials and copying of assignments at the end of the school day, particularly for students who have difficulty in homework organization.
- Assignments should have a clear purpose that is understood by students. If they have this understanding, students are more likely to complete assignments.
- Except in rare cases, students should not be removed or restricted from extra-curricular activities, including recess, for failure to complete homework assignments.
References
Cooper, H. (1994). The battle over homework: An administrator’s guide to setting sound and effective policies. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Kralovec, E. & Buell, J. (2001). "End homework now." Educational Leadership, 58 (7).
Homework is a useful tool to help parents reinforce the skills taught in the classroom at home. I agree that homework should not be counted for a grade, because you can't determine who completed the assignment.
ReplyDeleteOne powerful tool use in my classroom in teaching students how to take responsibility for their part in the educational process.
ReplyDeleteAlso gives parents a chance to see what is being learned in the classroom and they will feel part of the learning process. Homework teach the students important life lessons like how to read and comprehend information, remember things, solve problems, set priorities and take action. Parents are allow to help them in some homework and to insure that they are aware of their child reading ability.
The point that I agree with the most is number 4: students need to understand the purpose behind their daily work at home. They are more likely to complete assignments when they can see what's in it for them.
ReplyDeleteHomework is useful when it is not abused. I agree that it teaches organizational skills, and reinforces skills learned at school, but it should not take up a major part of their evening activities. Like all of us, students arrive at home mentally exhausted from the day, and need time to regenerate to be fresh for the next day.
ReplyDeleteI use homework to reinforce classroom instruction. It is normally used it as a way to spiral information so that it may stay fresh in their minds. This is also a way for parents can see what their child is doing in class.
ReplyDeleteHomework should be used as a reinforment or practice of what is learned during the school day. It gives parents a chance to see what their child is doing in class. I do agree that it should not consume the child's evening activities. It also teaches about priorities and responsibility.
ReplyDeleteI give homework, but it is to reinforce what has already being taught. I too believe that it shouldn't be time-consuming. I make sure the homework I give doesn't stress out the parents and/or the child. I always tell parents that homework shouldn't take more than 10-15 minutes to complete.
ReplyDeleteTiahesha Hill
Normally I send home work that was not completed in the classroom, and this should not take more than 30 minutes. Because we have worked on it together in class, the student will have the ability to work on it independently, and all students can then start at the same beginning point the next day. It does allow the parents to see exactly what their student is working on in the classroom. The author's first point is important . . . in other words, "Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs." Student attitudes are one of your greatest assets, and if you exhaust them to the point of getting sick of your assignments, then you are loosing the battle. Give them just enough to keep them engaged and excited about learning, but not enough to burden them (eg. not more than about 30-40 minutes). Make sure that it is work that will make them feel successful . . . if it requires more support, then save it for the classroom.
ReplyDeleteHomework is a useful tool when the students/parents understand the purpose. Allowing the students to have a choice in what they want to do for homework (from a "Homework Menu") establishes ownership and purpose. It reinforces skills that have been learned in school. Parents are able to be a part of their child's learning and education. However, I agree that homework should not be counted as a grade.
ReplyDeleteHomework in my opinion reinforces what students learned in the classroom. Many of our students here go home and they flat line due to home situation. When students prioritize at home , it teaches them responsibility and hold them accountable for what they've learned at school. Homework also let the parents know what is being taught in school and keeps them up to date with their child's education.
ReplyDeleteIf we are preparing our students for college, then homework is definitely one of many tools to teach them responsibilty and how to manage time wisely at a young age.
Homework in my opinion should be assigned with with a purpose and should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes. However, I also feel because of the unequitable support and makeup of the students home environment that it should not be a part of the classroom grade. I also feel that if we put emphasis on homework that then we should take time to make comments and return to students to show the importance and purpose of assigning.
ReplyDeleteI belive homework is practice to help students master what is taught in the classroom. And yes, recess can become the time for homework if it does not happen at home for whatever reason. That is not punishment, my students know the deal. After they finish they can play. I respect lunch time, not recess time. It is ideal that parents participate in the process and become aware of what students are learning...But that is not always the case.
ReplyDeleteHomework should not be too challenging and should be short. Again, that depends on the student...:)
Responsibility, time management, accountability.
Sure wish my teachers could have read this when I was a kid :)
ReplyDeleteI believe homework is beneficial for reinforcement in the classroom and for the parent to see what is being taught. I do feel that homework is challenging when the parent is not supportive to make sure the environment is conducive to the child's homework. There needs to be a set time and place for the student to do homework. I also feel it should focus on daily reading and math. Difficult assignments and detailed projects can be overwhelming for the parent as well as the child.
ReplyDeleteI believe that homework should be a review of material that each student is familiar with. Being held accountable for homework promotes responsibility, and when students understand the purpose of their homework it can be very beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI feel that homework should be assigned on weekdays. Weekends should be used for leisure reading. I expect my students to read on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though homework is very helpful for those students and parents who make it a priority each night. Seventeen of my students do their homework every night and usually don't make less than a 90% on their weekly spelling test. The other five who's parents might not have time, choose not to have time, or whatever are the ones who are constantly struggling. Homework is important; students need to carry on their learning from school to home. However, I do not believe that students should have hours of homework each night. We all want students to suceed on the state test but in the mean time we shouldn't really burn them out. Students who are burned out probably won't be thinking about succeeding at the end.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the above. I also feel that those that do have support at home should not be denied that opportunity. I seem a remarkable difference in those that do/don't complete their homework.
ReplyDeleteI feel that homework in the core classes can be helpful to reinforce learning that occurrs during the school day. It also requires responsibility in students outside of the classroom. In art, however, I believe students should have the opportunity to complete the work within the class time provided.
ReplyDeleteHomework. . . well I agree that there are pros and cons. . . but for me the pros out weight the cons with guidelines. Homework as review of, or strengthening skills to me is a plus for students. I do agree that homework should not be introductory nor should it be anything to taxing on the student or home. Although reading of different genres should be a home daily expectation, practice makes perfect and expands your comprehension and knowledge.
ReplyDeleteHomework should be carefully planned and intentional. As educators we need to be mindful of the age of the student and the amount of homework that is required. While there are pros and cons to homework, I feel that it is beneficial to specific students. When there is no support at home, we need to provide an alternative here on campus to help those who need the support.
ReplyDeleteAs a classroom teacher, the only homework I ever gave to the whole class was a reading log, spelling words, and basic math facts practice. This was not everyday, but scheduled throughout the week. I never took a grade on homework. However students who did not do the simple homework would finish it during recess. If it was the same students everyday that did not have their homework, I allowed them to finish it in class when they were done with other work.
ReplyDelete