This came home yesterday from my son’s school. My son is in the 3rd grade and is required to do 45-60 min of homework nightly. All homework must be checked by the parent for completeness, correctness and neatness.
This if from the principal and is titled “Why Homework?”
1. Homework lays the foundation for students taking responsibility for their own learning.
2. Homework builds good self-discipline and stimulates pride of work
3. Homework prepares students for classroom participation and activities.
4. Homework develops independent study habits
5. Homework reinforces and extends school learning experiences and provides practice, review and application of basic skills.
6. Homework provides a structure for reaching closure on the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom
7. Homework develops organizational and time management skills
8. Homework stimulates creativity and imagination while fostering student initiative
9. Homework stimulates critical thinking and problem solving
10. Homework provides for the application to real-life situations.
I don’t know about your homes, but in mine, homework does very few of these things.
Re: Apparently the principal hasn't read any of the research
that conclude homework before 5th grade is invariably counter-productive. A synopsis of the various studies was published in an issue of U.S. News and World Report — February of 2000, if my memory serves correctly (although at my age, it’s highly unlikely!).
Mary
Re: Son's School reason for Homework
In our home, homework does do some of these things. It’s partly because our son’s school lays the groundwork that makes them possible, and it’s partly because we do.
The school and we work to keep our son in charge of his own learning and fully engaged. We stay clear of anything like: “Just get it done” or doing work to earn a grade. Doing anything is all about learning and liking it. I think that’s why it works.
Carol
Re: Son's School reason for Homework
11. Homework effectively destroys the self esteem of a child who couldn’t even do the work in class.
12. Homework shows the ineffectiveness of the classroom teacher.
13. Homework systematicly discriminates against a student with learning disabilities.
14. Puts the responsibility of teaching on the parent instead of the school.
anyone else?
Re: Son's School reason for Homework
Socks - Great! I agree with you!
15. Homework destroys the homelife of children who must spend hours upon hours on it.
16. Homework wreaks havoc on children with attention deficit disorder because after sitting all day in school, it is almost impossible for them to sit still to do homework.
I’m sure I could come up with more!
Margo
Re: Son's School reason for Homework
17. Homework teaches the ADHD/dysgraphic child that if mom can’t talk the teacher into reasonable accommodations, mom will DO the homework so we can both go to bed.
you're not suggesting...
That the administrative personnel in the public schools need to keep current on their background knowledge are you? Hey they pulled their time cracking the books (or was that beers?) all those years ago in college. Hell, if we’re gonna expect them to keep up on the latest trends and findings they might as well be plumbers or something equally as useful to society.
Re: Son's School reason for Homework
Okay,you want to do dysgraphic kids homework rules! Boy,I got two of those. Do I have some more for you!
18.Homework for a dysgraphic kid is designed to make them feel ashamed and helpless when they get to school the next day and can’t read what they wrote!
19. Homework for a dysgraphic kid helps the teacher feel sorry for them.
20. Homework for a dysgraphic kid helps the teacher feel frustrated.
21. Making the dysgraphic kid rewrite their spelling homework only solidifies their hatred for school.
22. Taking points off for reversing letters,doesn’t keep them from reversing letters,just helps them to feel more hatred.
23. Making a dysgraphic kid write on the chalk board is discimination.
24. Last but not least. Homework for an LD kid is just one more thing to forget at home!
Louise,
Look down a few topics at Homework - Accommodations and you are not alone. Ideally, yes, homework can do those things for some kids, not all. When it isn’t working for all, teachers (administration) should be flexible enough to either reduce the amount, or find out how and why the homework doesn’t help the child (oh I’m sorry, that means they might have to take extra time; which in support of teachers; they aren’t given a lot of in today’s system)
FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT for what is right for your child. Don’t ever give up.