Why do teachers do this???

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Sorry, not buying it. My husband is also a teacher, and I'm in education. There's working harder and then there's working smarter. Assigning a lot of homework may allow the teacher to claim the former, but not the latter.

If we are talking about elementary school students, there is no academic benefit to assigning kids homework. Don't believe me--read the research. (Read the studies completely though, not parts taken out of context, because sadly educators are notorious for making conclusions that are entirely unsupported by their own data.)

There is an opportunity cost associated with homework. It is well documented (the research supports it) that children learn through play. They also learn through music and art. We have a national crisis with childhood obesity. If your kid is spending endless hours doing worksheets, they aren't doing other things which might have some real benefit.

The school has the children for at least seven hours a day. If I worked a full time job, and then routinely brought home so much work that I was unable to participate in family activities or pursue activities that I love, we'd all agree that I was a workaholic. Yet that's what we expect of our children on a routine basis. It is damaging and unhealthy.

My father is a special education teacher and from what I understand (I chose not to go into education because I'd rather hang myself upside down by my toe nails than teach) the reason he assigns homework is to help not hinder their childhood. He doesn't assign a lot of homework, but some in order to help the students. Let me just ask, do you believe in no homework at all or just a little to reinforce was what was learned at school that day?

My father is a workaholic. He spends all day at school and then comes home and works on school work for hours at night. I had a wonderful childhood and I'm proud of my dad for working so hard. He's had many students contact him after they have graduated to thank him for what he did for them.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that not all teachers are control freaks when it comes to homework so I think it's harsh to put them all into one group.

 

[rgf207]

The craft homework is homework for the parents. It is assigned because some teachers just cannot stand the thought of not controlling every spare minute a child might have. God forbid they might play, read or just be kids for some time during the day, all of which do contribute to learning.

My advice is to complain. Do it frequently. Be well prepared before you go in to speak to the teacher.

You might also want to pick up a couple of copies of Alfie Kohn's The Homework Myth and Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish's The Case Against Homework.

The former gives an excellent overview and analysis of the research on the academic benefits of giving homework to elementary school students (there is none). I've done extensive literature searching on the subject and reading the research, and Kohn gets it right.

The latter gives some good practical strategies on how to present your complaints and how to work to get the volume of pointless homework reduced.

I buy a copy of the first book for each of my kids' elementary teachers and ask them to read it. It has helped some. If your school is anything like mine, they like to pretend that they follow evidence-based practices. They get that deer in the headlights look when you present them with the evidence which runs completely counter to their practices.

This has to be one of the most off-the-wall, absurd comments I have ever read. It's funny,sad funny not funny haha, because you actually believe this. Please show me some supporting facts that teachers are out to control their students and student's families lives.

Also, if a parent walked into my classroom, handed me a book, and told me to read it, so they can "tell me how to teach", It would take everything in me not to throw it away right in front of them.

 

[Pigeon]

My father is a special education teacher and from what I understand (I chose not to go into education because I'd rather hang myself upside down by my toe nails than teach) the reason he assigns homework is to help not hinder their childhood. He doesn't assign a lot of homework, but some in order to help the students. Let me just ask, do you believe in no homework at all or just a little to reinforce was what was learned at school that day?

At the elementary school level, I do not believe in any homework. The evidence does not support it, regardless of one's motivation. I'm sure your father is a nice person. That doesn't mean homework has any intrinsic value.

I do believe in encouraging children to read, but not micromanaging it with reading logs or assignments. I want my kids to have a love of learning and a passion for reading. Children have been in school for at least seven hours. They don't need reinforcement--they need down time.

If a school cannot accomplish what it needs to accomplish in a school day, they should take a long, hard look at what they are doing with their time. Schools waste time with a host of things--morning announcements, the daily Pledge of Indoctrination, assemblies to spin up kids to sell crappy fundraisers, feel-good psychobabble programs, etc. There's no good reason not to cut this stuff out and just have the kids do the work in school where it ought to be done.

 

[Pigeon]

Also, if a parent walked into my classroom, handed me a book, and told me to read it, so they can "tell me how to teach", It would take everything in me not to throw it away right in front of them.

So you have no intellectual curiosity? You have no interest in what the research in your own field says about homework?

You feel that you have every right to tell me as a parent how to spend hours of my free time supervising homework assignments. You cause me to curtail family activities on a routine basis. Your assignments make my kids miserable.

Is it really too much that I ask you to spend a little time reading a book that I've purchased for you that asks to you reflect on the value of homework?

I don't find that laughable at all. I find it pathetic.

 

[Irin997]

I do believe in encouraging children to read, but not micromanaging it with reading logs or assignments. I want my kids to have a love of learning and a passion for reading. Children have been in school for at least seven hours. They don't need reinforcement--they need down time.

Exactly! I adore reading and always have and I was never MADE to read for homework like my daughter is.

 

[rgf207]

So you have no intellectual curiosity? You have no interest in what the research in your own field says about homework?.

I absolutely have intellectual curiosity. I do not, however, have tolerance for someone telling me how to do my job.

I am not a teacher but I am married to one and the teachers go through the same seminars and learn the same "methods" as your (general your) books. So they already have the training and knowledge about most of those methods.

90% of parents that do this end up being the problem parents, helicopter parents, whatever you call them that the teachers can't stand.

I don't find that laughable at all. I find it pathetic.

I can say the same about a parent assigning a teacher a book to read about homework and teaching.

 

[crashbb]

So you have no intellectual curiosity? You have no interest in what the research in your own field says about homework?

You feel that you have every right to tell me as a parent how to spend hours of my free time supervising homework assignments. You cause me to curtail family activities on a routine basis. Your assignments make my kids miserable.

Is it really too much that I ask you to spend a little time reading a book that I've purchased for you that asks to you reflect on the value of homework?

I don't find that laughable at all. I find it pathetic.

So - you can assign a teacher homework, but they cannot assign your child homework? Totally makes sense.

I'm not a teacher (though I do teach some graduate level courses), but if I have an interest in researching my own field, I will do so without you "help".

 

[Pigeon]

I'm not "assigning" anything. I'm asking a teacher, who is routinely controlling my free time without giving it a second thought, to read something with an open mind.

In my experience, I have yet to encounter an elementary teacher who has ever spent ten minutes looking at the research on the benefits of homework. It's like some sort of sacred cow. Given how much time it devours, the amount of friction it causes, and the opportunity costs associated, I don't think my request is unreasonable.

My husband teaches high school. It was a revelation to him to realize the dearth of evidence surrounding homework. There is some research showing a modest amount of homework carries a modest benefit at the high school level, but nothing in elementary school. Since he's really looked into it, he's cut way back on the homework he assigns his students, with nothing but positive results. Test scores (gasp!) have not plummeted and his students' attitude and engagement while in class have been significantly improved.

Our schools constantly talk about evidence-based practices when it suits them. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask that they look at the evidence around a practice that has become so firmly entrenched that it's become the Emperor's New Clothes.

 

[friendofgusgus]

For several years, I helped with an accreditation program for daycare centers and preschools and the number one complaint we heard from kindergarten teachers regarding readiness was:

a lack of scissor skills

Really, I kid you not.

Scissoring is a very difficult skill to master. It seems easy to adults, but it's a very unnatural way to move your hand - it requires you to move your fingers together to cut something apart. It's not intuitive and it requires training of almost all of the hand's muscles.

Sometimes what looks completely silly is just learning in disguise - and when we see it, we know it as play. It is the job of children - but it is often dismissed as having no value.

If the teacher sends a note home that says, "Please have Johnny play with scissors for thirty minutes today," it is dismissed as silly, none of the teacher's buisness and having nothing to do with learning. By sending home crafts and games, the skill practice is required and it's supposed to be more fun for the children.

Honestly, there's no end to this kind of discussion. The current educational system pits parents against teachers at nearly every turn. Until mutual respect reigns, somebody is always going to consider the other one as wanting control and wasting the other's time.

 

[rgf207]

Honestly, there's no end to this kind of discussion. The current educational system pits parents against teachers at nearly every turn. Until mutual respect reigns, somebody is always going to consider the other one as wanting control and wasting the other's time.

You have it 100% right there. This statement is so correct. Look back a couple decades and you can see that the parents and teachers worked together. If a student got in trouble at school, you would not want to go home because it will be worse there. If a teacher assigned something, you bet your butt it was completed. Nowadays, if a parent says there's too much homework, their little angel doesn't have to do it and a note gets sent to the principal & teacher. If a child gets in trouble at school, the parents will be calling the principal & teacher to schedule a meeting because their little angel can do no wrong.

So much has changed and not for the better.

 

[Camicar]

The worst craft project we had was in 4th grade. Teacher assigned each kid to make an entire Walnut Grove village, complete with people, animals and houses. It HAD to be at least 24x24" and self supporting. She gave no patterns, no instructions, nothing.

I already had issues with this teacher. She was 1st year, but the most arrogant sob I've ever met as a teacher AND she had the party line, "That's not in my union contract" down pat. So after spending several days trying to find a time she could meet with me according to her contract -- which meant I had to take time off from MY work -- I asked her WHY she had assigned this project which had already consumed 10 hours of time. "No reason. I thought it would be fun." Are you out of your freaking mind? I asked her if other parents had complained. "Well, no GOOD parents have complained."

Well. Then.

I suggested that this assignment was putting kids at risk at even more risk and even 'regular' kids might have a problem since the project would require so much time, a single parent or struggling parents or parents with more than 1 kid might not have that much time. Or how about the knowledge to construct houses or the money to buy plastic people and houses?

"Not my problem."

Well. Then.

"Have you given any thought to assigning each kid one building in the town and having them learn all about the activities of that building so they would be learning history?"

"No. Are we done now?"

Oh, yeah. We were done.

 

[Mkrop]

At the elementary school level, I do not believe in any homework.

So when we you suggest starting it???? Middle school, high school, college???? I look at homework as a stepping stone. I want my child to have some homework every year starting in K so they learn to establish good study habits and good work ethics.

Exactly! I adore reading and always have and I was never MADE to read for homework like my daughter is.

I adore reading as well, as does DS11 and both of us had reading logs and book reports. We survived and so did our love of reading. Sometimes it "forced" us to read soemthing we may not have normally picked up.

I think life is a about balance, we need to find the balance of play and work BOTH are necessary. I had homework as a kid and had plenty of time to play. My kids have homework, are involved in sports teams, and have time to play too.

It is funny bc at our school some parents are begging for MORE homework for their kids. DS5 is not in this K class but the other K class's teacher got harsh criticism during Parent Teacher Conferences, rumors are that parents went to the principal. Well I was talking to my friend who's son is in this K class, and NOW they are getting slammed with homework. I could not believe when I looked at what is assigned for the week compared to what my kid has. Now I think that is extreme, there is a time and place for homework but it should never go overboard. I guess the parents where I live are a little different bc they LIKE homework

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Exactly! I adore reading and always have and I was never MADE to read for homework like my daughter is.

I have always enjoyed reading too. However, I knew that there are two types of reading - the reading that I do for fun and the reading I must do for school (well, when I was in school). The fun reading was my choice and the school reading wasn't...however one of my favorite books was an assigned piece of reading - Night. There's a chance that if I hadn't been assigned to read that piece of literature, I may have never read it because it's not my typical genre. Another assigned reading I had was the play "The Dollhouse" and I LOVED it.

Just because reading is assigned doesn't mean that it can't be enjoyable.

 

[Irin997]

I think life is a about balance, we need to find the balance of play and work BOTH are necessary. I had homework as a kid and had plenty of time to play. My kids have homework, are involved in sports teams, and have time to play too.

Do you work? I work full time, get home at 6pm, have to get HW done, and still have to manage to feed my daughter and myself.

Are you married? If so, that's great! I don't have the pleasure of having ANY help at all. I'm a single mother w/out any child support either.

In addition, I go to school full time (graduate in May ) so my schedule is completely booked. And when her school sends home a word search that is hard for an adult to complete and takes 45 minutes for my 7 year old to do with my help, that doesn't help things at all.

I just wish they gave less HW. Some days, it is really tough to get it all done.

 

[Irin997]

I have always enjoyed reading too. However, I knew that there are two types of reading - the reading that I do for fun and the reading I must do for school (well, when I was in school). The fun reading was my choice and the school reading wasn't...however one of my favorite books was an assigned piece of reading - Night. There's a chance that if I hadn't been assigned to read that piece of literature, I may have never read it because it's not my typical genre. Another assigned reading I had was the play "The Dollhouse" and I LOVED it.

Just because reading is assigned doesn't mean that it can't be enjoyable.

The point I was trying to make is that children can learn to love reading without making "reading for 15 minutes" part of homework.

 

[castleview]

I'm not "assigning" anything. I'm asking a teacher, who is routinely controlling my free time without giving it a second thought, to read something with an open mind.

In my experience, I have yet to encounter an elementary teacher who has ever spent ten minutes looking at the research on the benefits of homework. It's like some sort of sacred cow. Given how much time it devours, the amount of friction it causes, and the opportunity costs associated, I don't think my request is unreasonable.

My husband teaches high school. It was a revelation to him to realize the dearth of evidence surrounding homework. There is some research showing a modest amount of homework carries a modest benefit at the high school level, but nothing in elementary school. Since he's really looked into it, he's cut way back on the homework he assigns his students, with nothing but positive results. Test scores (gasp!) have not plummeted and his students' attitude and engagement while in class have been significantly improved.

Our schools constantly talk about evidence-based practices when it suits them. I don't think it's unreasonable to ask that they look at the evidence around a practice that has become so firmly entrenched that it's become the Emperor's New Clothes.

Homework is meant to reinforce what was learned in school. Some times it is taken too far. DH is supposed to give two hours of homework a night per the school board's rules- he teaches high school. Fortunately, he doesn't even attempt to give out that much homework.

I'm not sure what your background is in education. Are you a college professor? We used to love professional development meetings being led by education professors who have never been in the classroom.

 

[Mkrop]

Do you work? I work full time, get home at 6pm, have to get HW done, and still have to manage to feed my daughter and myself.

Are you married? If so, that's great! I don't have the pleasure of having ANY help at all. I'm a single mother w/out any child support either.

In addition, I go to school full time (graduate in May ) so my schedule is completely booked. And when her school sends home a word search that is hard for an adult to complete and takes 45 minutes for my 7 year old to do with my help, that doesn't help things at all.

I just wish they gave less HW. Some days, it is really tough to get it all done.

FTR, I dont currently work but I did. DH works a ton of hours. I know it is tough. I dont agree with tons of homework but I do agree with homework

I think any assignement that is that difficult should be questioned.

Does her after school childcare have homework time? Our school offers this and most of the kids I know get all their homework done there.

My mom was a single mom to my brothers, my dad died of a heart attack when my brothers were 12 and 8,(I was 22) so I do know what she went thru being a single mom. I never said you had it easy, I applaud all that you are trying to do but I really do think we need to strive for balance in our lives, not too much homework, for child or adult, a good balance of excerise and a good balance of just down time.

The point I was trying to make is that children can learn to love reading without making "reading for 15 minutes" part of homework.

And I respectfully disagree, many kids do need this extra nudge to get into reading. I have had several parents mentioned how lucky I am that DS11 loves to read that they cant get their kid to touch a book, these kids would not read unless given that assignment. It is essential. I also volunteer in the library and it is really cool to see the kids "discover" a genre they enjoy and finally get into reading.

 

[Irin997]

FTR, I dont currently work but I did. DH works a ton of hours. I know it is tough. I dont agree with tons of homework but I do agree with homework

I think any assignement that is that difficult should be questioned.

Does her after school childcare have homework time? Our school offers this and most of the kids I know get all their homework done there.

My mom was a single mom to my brothers, my dad died of a heart attack when my brothers were 12 and 8,(I was 22) so I do know what she went thru being a single mom. I never said you had it easy, I applaud all that you are trying to do but I really do think we need to strive for balance in our lives, not too much homework, for child or adult, a good balance of excerise and a good balance of just down time.



And I respectfully disagree, many kids do need this extra nudge to get into reading. I have had several parents mentioned how lucky I am that DS11 loves to read that they cant get their kid to touch a book, these kids would not read unless given that assignment. It is essential. I also volunteer in the library and it is really cool to see the kids "discover" a genre they enjoy and finally get into reading.

What is FTR?

Unfortunatey, while the daycare my daughter goes to is great, they do not have a quiet study hour. I would much rather her go to the after-school daycare actually at school BUT they are closed when the school is closed....so what is the point? We tried the "get your HW done" at daycare and it just didn't work because we had to re-do most of it after getting home.

Finding the balance is tough!! But we're working on it...as that is all we can do.

I do agree that some children need the push. I will say that my daughter's reading has gotten sooo much better since the start of the school year but I'm not sure whether to attribute it to the required reading for HW or just because she's really gotten interested in reading lately. She/We discovered the Magic Tree House books and she loves them! They are chapter books but not too long of chapter books so she is so proud of herself when she finishes them!

 

[rgf207]

What is FTR?

FTR = For the Record

 

[C.Ann]

DGD is in 5th grade and still has to do "projects" at home.. A couple of months ago it was a fire safety poster; this week it's another poster-type project for social studies.. A month ago it was a project involving batteries..

I know it's hard - especially being a single mom - but no matter what DGD brings home (even things we're a bit puzzled by) - we realize that there is a reason for it, she is going to "learn" something from it, and most importantly, that's why she goes to school - to learn.. There are only so many hours in a day and when I hear about what her in-class learning involves, it's very, very easy to see why so much of this stuff has to be done at home..

It's just a shame that you don't have someone who could help you out.. Are there grandparents nearby that could lend a hand some afternoons or evenings?