No homework ever...wwyd?

[vettechick99]

My 4th grade teacher didn't believe in homework. But what she did do was assign plenty of work, and if we had downtime we could finish it. So in essence, we controlled whether we had homework or not!

If you feel that she is learning and making good grades, I wouldn't worry. But if your DD is one that needs that extra work, either speak with the teacher or assign it yourself. Which will make your very popular with your DD. Ha!

BTW, as a special education teacher my kids have to have homework. It takes them 5 or more times longer to learn concepts so if they don't spend that time at home doing it, they will fall behind.

 

[Pigeon]

I would be beyond thrilled if my elementary school children never had homework. I believe the primary effect of homework is to engender a dislike of school and learning. There is very little evidence that homework in elementary school has any positive influence on learning. Dh and I are both educators.

The idea that children need to put in a second shift after they have already spent seven hours in school is unreasonable. If I brought home hours of work to do every night, which interfered with family activities, I'd be considered a work-aholic. But we routinely heap this on children without really examining the consequences.

See, for example, "The Homework Myth," by Alfie Kohn and "The Case Against Homework," by Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish.

 

[Caboosey]

I am student teaching in a Kindergarten class right now, and the parents are COMPLAINING that their kids don't have homework! My cooperating teacher sends home a note each week with a "Ask Me About" section detailing the work the students are doing in class so parents can expand on those concepts if they really want to. Parents are asking for math homework - my CT suggested that the kids help with cooking, because that's a really great math tie-in...

 

[shirleyb]

I firmly believe there is no need for homework in elementary school.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I don't believe in homework.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

I second the poster who recommended reading:

"The Homework Myth"

I think those who think homework is a requirement would benefit from reading the research.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

If you think your child has difficulty in certain subjects, there are plenty of resources to supplement the learning at home. Even something simple like flashcards if they are learning the multiplication facts.

That said - kiss that teacher's toes! Apparently, there is little wasted time in the classroom and the child is learning what needs to be taught in the classroom. I'm not one to think a nightly homework assignment is the only way reinforce what has been taught that day. I think homework, many times, is a lesson in teaching responsibility; and that is my job. We like to have "family time" at home, and that's mighty hard when DD7 brings home a pile of homework.

 

[disykat]

I LOVED the years my kids didn't have homework! After the celebration, we sat down and worked out a schedule of what MY expectations were. In general I expect about 45 minutes most days of reading, practicing an intrument, writing in a journal, practicing spelling words, practicing math facts, etc. The kids also enjoy making power point presentations, writing stories, etc. on the computer - not assigned by anyone, just for fun. When they were younger, they sometimes did arts and crafts, did puzzles, or played games.

In our family, it is expected that we have "homework" time after dinner with no tv, etc. It's just something we usually do - sort of a quiet time in our day. They always find something to do when they don't have assignments. We always have found it easier when they get to do something of their choosing - either because they enjoy it or because they know they need practice. I hate it when they have to do busywork worksheets because I feel the other stuff is more valuable for them.

When I'm teaching, I generally consider homework to be independent reading, practicing spelling and math facts, etc. and finishing work not done in class it.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I am student teaching in a Kindergarten class right now, and the parents are COMPLAINING that their kids don't have homework! My cooperating teacher sends home a note each week with a "Ask Me About" section detailing the work the students are doing in class so parents can expand on those concepts if they really want to. Parents are asking for math homework - my CT suggested that the kids help with cooking, because that's a really great math tie-in...

Sounds like the my kindergarten class. Most of my student's parents would revolt if I didn't give homework.

What type of neighborhood are you student teaching in?

 

[RitaZ.]

I firmly believe there is no need for homework in elementary school.

I agree 100%.

I have one child in elementary school. The other two are in high school and middle school. DD gets a lot of busy work. I hear a lot of, "I already know how to do this. Why do I have to do it again?" Heard the same from the boys when they were in elementary school. Now, for middle school and high school, I believe homework is necessary.

The best teachers ( I don't mean the ones that are nice, but the ones that are very effective in teaching academics) assigned most of the projects in class. This ensured that the kids were the ones actually doing the work, not mom and dad. The students only had homework if they didn't complete an assignment in class. So, in a way they controlled when/if they had homework. My kids learned the most from those teachers. For instance, my DS's 5th grade teacher had a difficult personality, but she is/was a very good teacher. My son learned a lot in her class. She rarely assigned homework.

 

[Kathi OD]

There isn't any evidence that homework is useful, and loads of evidence that children don't need to be "working" from 9 til 3, come home and work form 5 to 7. Most adults would have issues with this sort of schedule.

The research on the effect of homework is actually conflicting. Some studies see a benefit, while others do not. However, it is important to note that even in those studies that determine homework can boost student performance, recommend that children spend no more than 20 minutes in early grades and 60 minutes in grades 3-6. They also agreed that home assignments had little effect on performance for students in elementary school. For a variety of reasons, most elementary students are not equipped to complete their homework independently. It is those assignments that students can complete independently that were found to be the most beneficial in boosting student performance.

 

[deedeetoo]

I would love it if my dd9 had no homework. Last night she spent 3.5 hours on homework. This is in the 4th grade! Worked straight through from 5:30 when she got home until 9:00 when she went to bed. I wasn't there for most of the night but DH said she was even working on it while she was eating dinner.

 

[brooke1]

WoW not sure where to start....

I dont believe homework either, now let me say this, i have a 14 DS who is in 8th grade, but guess what he is in special edc. classes, he has a 55 IQ and remember normal is 100, the school feels that he has pretty much learned all he can when it comes to the abc 123

He is on a 3rd grade level and has been in school since he was 4 yrs old, from K to 5 they worked him so hard and had all kinds of homework that he would come home and cry say he was stupid and retarted and kids would make fun of him and guess what we still had homework to finish, thats just not right.

I left that school and moved to another county and have been so happy and he has too, he works like a dog 8 hr day and his only homework are spelling words, he is now in just a class for kids like him so there is no bad talking about be stupid etc.. he comes home a pleasent as a 14 year old boy can be

his teacher feels that all of her special needs kids work so hard 8 hrs 5 days a week that she does not send homework and if she does its just little things.

Thanks for letting me get on my soapbox
Brooke

 

[Karel]

For those who don't believe in homework, where does studying for quizzes and tests come in? Is that homework? Or is it not necessary to do?

How about book reports or projects that could be considered enrichment - like a travel brochure on a certain subject, expanding on something learned in class.

 

[Pigeon]

For those who don't believe in homework, where does studying for quizzes and tests come in? Is that homework? Or is it not necessary to do?

How about book reports or projects that could be considered enrichment - like a travel brochure on a certain subject, expanding on something learned in class.

I have yet to see one of these complicated so-called enrichment activities be anything but a PIA, and a turn-off from learning. Ditto with book reports. My kids are both voracious readers. The primary effect of a book report is to suck the joy out of reading the book. If you want the kid to do an essay, that's what the seven hours per day that they are in school is good for.


Before I hear about how very tightly packed and busy school days are, I'm not buying it. Schools waste large amounts of time on stupid stuff.

 

[lsyorke]

For those who don't believe in homework, where does studying for quizzes and tests come in? Is that homework? Or is it not necessary to do?

How about book reports or projects that could be considered enrichment - like a travel brochure on a certain subject, expanding on something learned in class.

I can't remember "studying" for tests in elementary school. You were taught the work, and you took the test.

 

[JESW]

My ds12 (7th grade) is an asperger's kid and now (since last march) in a program in a school that does not believe in homework and we are so thankful! We had MAJOR meltdowns every single night when he was in public school when it came to homework. We also have a dd8 (3rd grade) in public school and her current teacher does not believe in a lot of homework. I feel dd has a manageable amount for the week and she also has several long-term projects (just got one today that's due in June!) and that is fine. My neighbor has a 10th and an 11th grader and those two have HOURS of homework every single night. It infuriates my neighbor as she says her dd's don't have much of a life once school starts. They also have weekend homework and projects over school vacations. Both girls are very smart and are in AP classes, but still....

What's the point??

Jill

 

[Kath2003]

In the UK there's none or little homework in primary school (4-11). The eldest year got 20 minutes of maths per week when I was on placement there. ALL children in ALL years get 10 minutes of reading per night. Those age 7-11 also get one times-table to learn (up to 10*10) per week and between 5 and 10 spellings per week.

Absolutely NO NEED for homework at that age. If parents are that fussed they'd find out what they were doing in school and find a way of implementing it at home. That's way more fun and challenging for the child than any worksheet ever could be. From "how many bananas do we have left? If you and I have one for lunch tomorrow, how many will be left then?" to reading a bedtime story, it's got to be better than "5-2 = ?" etc.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I have yet to see one of these complicated so-called enrichment activities be anything but a PIA, and a turn-off from learning. Ditto with book reports. My kids are both voracious readers. The primary effect of a book report is to suck the joy out of reading the book. If you want the kid to do an essay, that's what the seven hours per day that they are in school is good for.


Before I hear about how very tightly packed and busy school days are, I'm not buying it. Schools waste large amounts of time on stupid stuff.

Sounds like you've had bad luck in this area.


My son have had awesome projects assigned over the years. He's had a few duds, but most were great.

 

[Mkrop]

I can't remember "studying" for tests in elementary school. You were taught the work, and you took the test.

I'm 38 went to 3 differnt grade schoold do to moving and I studied for tests, did homework,projects and book reports. I didnt miss out on anything.

Around here some people I know specifically chose the parochial school over the public school bc they want their kids to have homework.