And what about the child who goes home and doesn't have parents to help him or her?Homework in the elementary years is silly, homework does not help them retain information that they already learned at school. Isn't it ridiculous that we ask children to do more work after they have been working hard all day? Wouldn't it make sense to spend time with your child and not putting up a fight over homework that the teacher doesn't even look at? The best kind of homework is reading and spending time with family. Not drudging out some silly ass worksheet or packet.
An excellent example of homework that several of my students did was this: we had a social studies project at school in which we studied, discussed and made family crests (based on a fictional family). One kid went home to see if his family had a crest. Him and his parents looked up his family's history and in fact they did have one. He came back and shared with the class which in turn prompted half the class to do the same. This was not required for anyone they did it on their own . That's the kind of homework I like! These wre first and second graders.
So no homework for kids because some might have lazy parents? You are also assuming that just because the kid does not have homework to do that the parents are spending copious amounts of family time together. I think that is silly. Homework reinforces what you have learned, it doesn't have to be hours and hours worth, but I don't think it is silly or a waste of time. And as someone who had learning issues homework was actually a great marker for my teachers on my difficulties and they were able to use it as an example when meeting with me or with my mom.
as I mentioned before, you are preparing them for what lies ahead. And it sounds like you would like homework if you knew for sure the parents would be involved.
I would guess that the parents who can't be bothered to help with homework are also the parents who can't be bothered to play with their kids.
Post by saraandmichael on Aug 10, 2012 10:02:33 GMT -5
LHC, I am chiming in really late but wanted to say that when I taught I never really put much focus on other teachers perceptions of students. Even my closest work friends were wrong about some of my most favorite students...and they loved some of the ones that drove me mad.
So no homework for kids because some might have lazy parents? You are also assuming that just because the kid does not have homework to do that the parents are spending copious amounts of family time together. I think that is silly. Homework reinforces what you have learned, it doesn't have to be hours and hours worth, but I don't think it is silly or a waste of time. And as someone who had learning issues homework was actually a great marker for my teachers on my difficulties and they were able to use it as an example when meeting with me or with my mom.
as I mentioned before, you are preparing them for what lies ahead. And it sounds like you would like homework if you knew for sure the parents would be involved.
I would guess that the parents who can't be bothered to help with homework are also the parents who can't be bothered to play with their kids.
Post by EmilieMadison on Aug 10, 2012 10:27:09 GMT -5
Oh, and I just read the homework debate. I'm a homework advocate. Not massive amounts, not anything that takes up every spare moment. But *something* that sets the ground work and builds a foundation of good study habits. The ability to study/do work outside of the classroom is a time management and self-discipline skill that needs to be learned and practiced.
I work a full time job and my H works 2 jobs. This is reality for us right now. DD is going into first grade.
Last year DD got, what I felt, a lot of homework for a Kindergartener. Between our schedules I didn't get home with the kids until well after 6. So between making dinner, giving 2 kids a bath and homework, I had a little over and hour to get all this done while trying to meet DD's bedtime.
I know I know, this is not the teacher's problem but it was tough. I'm not sure what to expect with the first grade teacher this year but I'm thinking it's going to be about the same. I need to try and manage time better but I do feel the pressure because I want to make sure DD stays ahead or at the very least on top of things.
And I do realize my situation is different from others and the world does not revolve around me. I do think homework should be given I just wish it was in smaller amounts.
And I do realize my situation is different from others and the world does not revolve around me. I do think homework should be given I just wish it was in smaller amounts.
I agree with you and think it should be proporational to age. No way a grade 1 kid needs to be doing 2 hours of homework a night. I figured LHC is talking about a 10 minute work sheet or practice writing "cat" and "dog" and your name. Or read this book with your parents.
Things that mean you do have to sit down, do it and get it done by a certain time but no one needs to be up until midnight. You can do that in high school and university.
Color me confused, but I thought homework was less about the teacher and more about the student and helping them retain and put into practice what they are learning at school. I also think the earlier they get into the habit of doing homework, the better since it actually does matter when you get older.
And what about the child who goes home and doesn't have parents to help him or her?Homework in the elementary years is silly, homework does not help them retain information that they already learned at school. Isn't it ridiculous that we ask children to do more work after they have been working hard all day? Wouldn't it make sense to spend time with your child and not putting up a fight over homework that the teacher doesn't even look at? The best kind of homework is reading and spending time with family. Not drudging out some silly ass worksheet or packet.
An excellent example of homework that several of my students did was this: we had a social studies project at school in which we studied, discussed and made family crests (based on a fictional family). One kid went home to see if his family had a crest. Him and his parents looked up his family's history and in fact they did have one. He came back and shared with the class which in turn prompted half the class to do the same. This was not required for anyone they did it on their own . That's the kind of homework I like! These wre first and second graders.
The homework you just described seems contradictory to your first sentence. If you have a strong concern about a student that doesn't have parents to help him or her why would you give an assignment that requires the help of parents?
Anyway, I think thoughtful age appropriate homework is a good thing. Handing out busy work or time consuming work with little to no benefit is not a good thing. I think there is middle ground between the two. Some things require practice and reinforcement and it seems easier for a teacher who knows where the class is and what is appropriate to assign it rather than parents try to investigate what kind of reinforcement they can come up with on their own that will compliment what the teacher is doing.
Color me confused, but I thought homework was less about the teacher and more about the student and helping them retain and put into practice what they are learning at school. I also think the earlier they get into the habit of doing homework, the better since it actually does matter when you get older.
And what about the child who goes home and doesn't have parents to help him or her?Homework in the elementary years is silly, homework does not help them retain information that they already learned at school. Isn't it ridiculous that we ask children to do more work after they have been working hard all day? Wouldn't it make sense to spend time with your child and not putting up a fight over homework that the teacher doesn't even look at? The best kind of homework is reading and spending time with family. Not drudging out some silly ass worksheet or packet.
An excellent example of homework that several of my students did was this: we had a social studies project at school in which we studied, discussed and made family crests (based on a fictional family). One kid went home to see if his family had a crest. Him and his parents looked up his family's history and in fact they did have one. He came back and shared with the class which in turn prompted half the class to do the same. This was not required for anyone they did it on their own . That's the kind of homework I like! These wre first and second graders.
I bet those children never learned if they have a family crest.
And what about the child who goes home and doesn't have parents to help him or her?Homework in the elementary years is silly, homework does not help them retain information that they already learned at school. Isn't it ridiculous that we ask children to do more work after they have been working hard all day? Wouldn't it make sense to spend time with your child and not putting up a fight over homework that the teacher doesn't even look at? The best kind of homework is reading and spending time with family. Not drudging out some silly ass worksheet or packet.
What about the kids who dick around and goof off during class? Thereby not really learning much in school.
And I don't buy that homework doesn't help kids retain information learned at school.
How do people improve? - lots of practice. You can't tell me a kid can't benefit from doing a few math equations as homework... or practicing writing & grammar.
"Why would you ruin perfectly good peanuts by adding candy corn? That's like saying hey, I have these awesome nachos, guess I better add some dryer lint." - Nonny