Parents - Homework???

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I've been teaching 7th grade Social Studies for 7 years (7 years of high school before that) and have been really conflicted about homework for years. I used to give regular assignments to reinforce or check understanding of the day's lesson, but ran into dismal completion rates. Often parents would "excuse" their own kids from assignments, citing an athletic or family event that interfered with getting the work done (ongoing, not an occasional thing). In some cases, adminstrators would tell teachers not to assign homework to students who were having problems at home. I felt very uncomfortable with holding only some students accountable for learning - if it's an optional activity for some, how important is it really?

A colleague told me she stopped giving homework entirely, instead telling students she expected them to give her 100% while in the classroom. I liked that idea and started doing that this year. However, students' motivation in my room did not increase and there are several who don't finish the work and/or aren't retaining the information. I hold them after school to finish or remediate, but it's like pulling teeth. Now the colleague who had originally stopped giving homework now tells me she's gone back to giving a short check-of-understanding every day again. She says that expecting the kids to do *something* outside of class every time gives them structure and teaches responsiblity. Arrgh!

So parents, how do you feel about homework, really? Is it a useful tool to teach students accountability? Would you rather see your child bring home something each day, or have teachers hold the child responsible only for the work to be completed in the classroom? Other opinions?

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

I am not too sure of what age grade 7 is, I'm in Britain and my eldest is age 10 and she's a year 5 (although very oldest in her year group- she was weeks off being in the grade above- most kids in her year are still 9 or only just turning 10 where as she is 10.5) kids here begin school at age 4 and even my 5 year old gets homework in the form of a home-reading book and some phonics work he's expected to do weekly.

My eldest gets several pieces a week but tends to get a little more than the majority of her year group as she's on the gifted program & several academic extra-cirriculars. It doesn't bother me that she gets it- we support her and give help where necessary, but we refuse to do it for her, if she's stuck we talk her through how she can figure out how to do it, such as her English homework this week she had to do a modern day fairytale and was lacking motivation so we brain stormed with her a mind-map which she then turned into her plan, which we read through with her and helped her see gaps in continuation etc, then she did her draft and final piece.

As long as work is set with a good time frame for completion i am fine with it, i get annoyed when she is sent home with a piece that is expected in the next day- that seems really inconsiderate to working parents, those with busy lifestyles and those with more than one child but overall i support it. It puts me in touch with what she is doing in the classroom, it gives me opportunity to see where she is floundering or needs to improve and provides the chance for me to note this to her teachers who may have overlooked the issues she is having as they have 29 other pupils in her class to consider.

I do often find myself wondering why some parents can't support their kids with homework- i can understand those who both work, those with busy lifestyles but really what does it take to give a kid 20 minutes of your time in an evening I have 4 kids- 3 of them under 5, but there's 2 of us and so it doesn't take much for one to help the eldest or read with the 5 year old.

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

I am not too sure of what age grade 7 is, I'm in Britain and my eldest is age 10 and she's a year 5 (although very oldest in her year group- she was weeks off being in the grade above- most kids in her year are still 9 or only just turning 10 where as she is 10.5) kids here begin school at age 4 and even my 5 year old gets homework in the form of a home-reading book and some phonics work he's expected to do weekly.

My eldest gets several pieces a week but tends to get a little more than the majority of her year group as she's on the gifted program & several academic extra-cirriculars. It doesn't bother me that she gets it- we support her and give help where necessary, but we refuse to do it for her, if she's stuck we talk her through how she can figure out how to do it, such as her English homework this week she had to do a modern day fairytale and was lacking motivation so we brain stormed with her a mind-map which she then turned into her plan, which we read through with her and helped her see gaps in continuation etc, then she did her draft and final piece.

As long as work is set with a good time frame for completion i am fine with it, i get annoyed when she is sent home with a piece that is expected in the next day- that seems really inconsiderate to working parents, those with busy lifestyles and those with more than one child but overall i support it. It puts me in touch with what she is doing in the classroom, it gives me opportunity to see where she is floundering or needs to improve and provides the chance for me to note this to her teachers who may have overlooked the issues she is having as they have 29 other pupils in her class to consider.

I do often find myself wondering why some parents can't support their kids with homework- i can understand those who both work, those with busy lifestyles but really what does it take to give a kid 20 minutes of your time in an evening I have 4 kids- 3 of them under 5, but there's 2 of us and so it doesn't take much for one to help the eldest or read with the 5 year old.

 

[Aliceacc]

As a HS math teacher: I think homework is important. It gives my kids the chance to do the problems I've taught on their own. Doing them in class is one thing; the material is fresh in their minds and they can get through the problems. Doing them several hours later can be a bit trickier; homework lets us both know who needs more time on the topic.

That said, here's my rule: You spend no more than 20 minutes on my math homework, whether it's 9th grade Algebra or Intro to Calculus. Any more than 20 minute means one of two things: 1) you need extra help or 2) I've overestimated what you know. And you're also allowed to miss, then make up for full credit, up to 3 homeworks per marking period for those nights when things at home go nuts.


As a parent, I can see the need for homework too. For example, my 8 year old has no problem with the weekly spelling test if she has kept up with the spelling all week.

But I've got to admit, I've seen my share of time-wasting homework too.

Fortunately, my kids have, for the most part, been lucky with teachers. Most have been completely understanding that sometimes something comes up and that an occasional extension isn't a problem.

 

[DawnM]

For years I went back and forth on this one too. I have taught Middle and High School at various times.

I did give more homework in high school, but I also tended to give project based homework more than nightly homework. I would have a paper due in 3 weeks for example and would collect progress weekly toward that paper just to make sure they were keeping up.

To be honest, a lot of it was about my time too. I many times had over 30 students per class and had 6 classes (I was in LA), so grading 180 papers a night would not have been possible.

Hope you find what works best for you.

Dawn

 

[daisyduck123]

1st grade teacher here

I think homework in elementary school is unnecessary, but feel that once they get to middle school, a little should be given, if only to prepare them for high school. I do think it's necessary in high school because students are given a LOT of info. in each class & reviewing it at night will help with retention. At that age also, students are responsible for getting it done themselves.

 

[mommytoone]

I am a parent of a First grader. I think homework is GREAT!!! This way I am able to see my DD achievements and where she needs help. My daughter is in a Gifted program so she is moving at a very fast pace. Her teacher is Wonderful. AI love the fact that she does math and a spelling homework everyday except Friday. Then on Friday they have a spelling test. I think my DD is learning new words, and is really grasping materials fast because she has homework and is able to work on this with me and I often make her explain things to me as if she is the teacher. This has workied out great.

Of course each cild is different and learns at his/her own pace. Thats why I think homework is important. In fact I wish she had more to do. I make up stuff for her. They more info the better.

 

[McKelly]

I think you should be sending homework. It gives kid's expectations, which they need, and so do parents for that matter. To those parents who "excuse" kids from their homework, what kind of example is that showing the kids......that school is not important. And by excusing them from it, leads them further down the road of entitlement and the "I will do what I want" attitude. Ugh!!

And if a true emergency came along, such as a family emergency or illness, I haven't met a teacher yet who wouldn't be understanding of that. But, "we are too busy", wouldn't fly in my book. But maybe my expectations are too high..........

 

[powellrj]

I had this whole wonderful post typed out, but decided against it because it was really long.

First grade is a totally different ballgame than high school and middle school. While I am glad you love homework, check back in 10 years or so when you have seen your kids staying up half the night to finish it.

I have 3 kids and they are all different and have had different approaches to homework.

I have seen them work for hours on homework and I really question the value of having a child stay up a couple of hours past their bedtime and go to school the next day tired because all of their teachers decided to assign a large volume on the same night. It happened here last night with my youngest. She had way too much homework assigned last night and as a result is tired and worn out today. She is a really good student and homework is important to her so she will stay on course all night to get it done right. Ds would have breezed through it and been happy with any grade he got.

What lesson have they learned? DS will be happy with the B he will get for not staying up late finishing while DD feels the need to finish and will stay up late getting it done right to get an A. Do I tell DD, don't work as hard and be happy with the B or do I tell DS, work harder, stay up later to get that A?

Don't get me started on projects. Many teachers seem to think that we have lots of time and money to work on projects. Sorry, I don't have a video camera to make a video. We aren't crafty so if we need art supplies, we have to buy them because we don't have paint and Styrofoam just laying around the house. Anything you have to be creative about, forget it.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

I think math homework is a neccesity for children who need some practice. After teaching for 7 years and having children, I feel most homework in the elementary school is not needed. I remember giving it to please parents and administrators. We always checked math homework but the other stuff was really just busy work.

In middle school, when my dd was in school, she only ever had math homework. When I was in Hs, back inthe day, I only ever remember getting math and to study.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

We had to start a study time in my house. We try to have an hour each evening - which works on most nights. My gifted 6th grade son went from straight A 1st nine weeks to all b's and c's the second. (3rd nine weeks went back to A's and B's) He was trying to get everything done at school and was rushing and turning in poor/unread-able work. Now he practices his baratone for 10-15 minutes, 15 minutes of math review or homework, and some writing about his reading selections. Getting him to read is never a problem since he can read a 200 page book a day, but getting him to work on other school work is.

 

[livndisney]

I have a 1st grader and I think her homework is unnecessary! She has atleast 1 hour of homework EVERY night. And most of it is just busy work. If homework in 1st grade is like this I don't want to see what in 7th grade is like! For the record, I think homework in middle/high school is expected and should be done and turned in daily.

 

[gonemousin']

As a Mom, I don't mind meaningful homework that reinforces a lesson plan. In fact, I enjoy the opportunity to talk about what they're learning and it gives my DH & I a chance to see where the struggles might be (which turned out to be math this year, so we were able to kick it into high gear at home and saw an INSTANT change in DD's attitude, retention and thus test results). The more involved Mom & Dad are with their child's school, the more successful the child will be in school - no doubt about it - and homework gives us a chance to reinforce that learning is important and homework is an important part of exercising your brain. That being said - I DO NOT appreciate busy work (homework being given for the sake of making the teacher feel like he/she is giving it) or "science projects" that clearly will require more time, money, and adult assistance than appropriate.

Now, I'm an accountant - counter of beans - and have ZERO teaching experience, so my idea might be lacking or not well thought out, but is there any way you can give a class incentive to earn the right not to have homework? And I'm not even sure how you'd execute this (or if it's even fair)...but can you reward the kiddos giving 100% participation in the classroom with a night of no homework, while the kiddos not giving 100% participation or 100% attention will be required to do homework?? That way, for those who understand the concept, they avoid the busy work that your homework ultimately is for them, and for those struggling or refusing to put in the extra effort, you'll have the ability to maybe spend some extra time helping them along and have the chance to send work home with them?? Again - I'm clueless, so this could be an awful suggestion...just what's popping through my brain at the moment.

 

[KariC]

OP,

I don't remember "much" homework from jr. high SS, other than projects, and maybe memorizing "stuff" (Preamble to the Constitution, the Presidents, etc). While I wouldn't see a problem with more (as a parent now), have you thought about a few pop quizzes each week? Sometimes extra "encouragement" might be needed.

 

[eeyoremum]

I am not going to be popular but here is my opinion. If my kids don't complete an assigned task at home then by all means send it home. I don't mind the odd assignment coming home either, although I really don't like all the money they seem to cost.

My children will not waste our family time doing busy work however. The school has my children for 8 hours a day and should be able to complete everything that needs to be covered in that time.

That being said, I know highschool is a different situation. When DS goes to HS I am sure he will be doing homework.

 

[MiniGirl]

My girls are still young (2nd and K), but they have homework everyday. My oldest has the same homwork schedule every week, and I like that. (For example, Mon -- write spelling words 2X, Tues -- read phonics book to me, read spelling words, Wed -- math worksheet, read over spelling words, Thurs -- study spelling words for test Fri. The schedule will change occassionally for a science test or something, but most of the time it stays the same.) She doesn't need the homework and it is very quick and easy for her. I, however, like that it is establishing a routine now while she is young. I did very well in school, and quite frankly, breezed through until about mid-way through my 11th grade year. When it got to a point that I had to study, I had a hard time with it because I had never done it before. I finished with honors and graduated college with a B average, but I know I would've done better if I had those routines and study habits in place.

 

[mom2togirls]

My daughter is only in 3rd grade and I like the homework she gets. It only takes her about 30minutes to get done. I like to see what she is doing in school and how well she is doing. With that said I would guess that homework could get really out of hand if you have every teacher giving 1 hours worth of work. Its just too much. I think anything more than an 1-1.5 total even in high school is too much

 

[Rylee]

As the mother of 5 children... ages 26, 22, 17, 9 & 6, I've had a child in the school district for 22 years straight, and for 4 straight years, I had a child in elementary, middle and high school... (3 open houses, 3 Xmas concerts, etc., each year.) My thoughts...

I think homework is important...

• to reinforce material covered in school,
• to help to keep most parents aware, or involved, on some level,
• and teaches the student responsibility, the importance of following through, time management, etc.

However, I think homework...

• should never count towards the overall grade average, only a check for completion, (Too many parents are more concerned with the child's grade, than if their child is actually learning.)
• and it should be limited to 15 - 20 minutes per teacher/subject. (First-grades usually have 1 teacher, so... 15 - 20 minutes of homework, middle and high school students, 15 - 20 minutes per core subject.)

All of my children are good students, the 2 oldest graduated in the top 10 and have completed their 4 year degrees. In our house, family comes 1st, then, school and so on. They are/have been involved in numerous activities, and although their education is most important, there are other ways of growing and learning, that we feel are valuable. The school has my children for X hours a day... if they weigh them down with "busy work", it takes away from our family time and from other lessons learned outside of school.

 

[Darcy03231]

I think homework is important...

• to reinforce material covered in school,
• to help to keep most parents aware, or involved, on some level,
• and teaches the student responsibility, the importance of following through, time management, etc.

However, I think homework...

• should never count towards the overall grade average, only a check for completion, (Too many parents are more concerned with the child's grade, than if their child is actually learning.)
• and it should be limited to 15 - 20 minutes per teacher/subject. (First-grades usually have 1 teacher, so... 15 - 20 minutes of homework, middle and high school students, 15 - 20 minutes per core subject.)

All of my children are good students, the 2 oldest graduated in the top 10 and have completed their 4 year degrees. In our house, family comes 1st, then, school and so on. They are/have been involved in numerous activities, and although their education is most important, there are other ways of growing and learning, that we feel are valuable. The school has my children for X hours a day... if they weigh them down with "busy work", it takes away from our family time and from other lessons learned outside of school.

I agree here. Last night DD (16 & a sophomore in high school) had about 6 hours of homework and the bulk of it was just "busy work". She leaves the house at 6:30 a.m. to catch the bus and arrives home at 2:30 p.m.. She started her homework, took a break for dinner (5 pm-5:30 pm) and her dance class (5:45 pm - 7:15 pm), and then had to finish the rest of it when she came home from dance. It was 11 pm before she was finished. So, in effect, she's up from 6:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. and the only breaks during the day she's had is the 20 minutes she gets for lunch in school and half an hour for dinner. I think its really just way too much. She has way less free time than I do working full time. Most nights she has at least three hours of homework.

 

[traceyr13]

As a HS English teacher/school counselor for almost 10 years and a parent of a 2nd grader with nightly homework, I think homework is a necessity for the older kids (middle/high school) and great for the younger kids to establish good habits and discipline. With that being said, I think elementary homework should be limited (my 2nd grader has 20 minutes of independent reading every night as well as roughly 15 minutes of written work - I have no problem with this) to reinforcing learning in the classroom (not just busy work) and that teachers should be somewhat flexible with the older students about allowing them to make their own choices when to get it done.

For example, I gave my students a syllabus with the next few weeks assignments on it, and it was up to them to have it done by the due dates, but because of the advanced notice, they could plan around jobs, sporting events, family events, etc. I told my students "if you know that you have late games on Wed and Thu, then do Friday's homework on Mon or Tue! It's all about planning".