Can you tell that is is almost the holiday season? My students and parents are already losing energy. I've been dealing with lots of "forgotten" notes, books, and other things, how about you? Of course, this was all BEFORE the week of Halloween.... so you know it has only gotten worse this week! This has reaffirmed my disbelief in the value of much homework.
I would love to say I don't give any, but I can't and won't avoid 2 very simple homework assignments:
1. Reading. I know the verdict is out on assigned reading or free choice... but for many of my students, there are no books to choose from at home. I feel very fortunate to have a subscription to Reading A to Z where I can print high-interest nonfiction books at many levels, so I think my students enjoy it most of the time. I don't really consider this "homework" as reading with your children should be enjoyable family time for parents.
2. Spelling. My school invested in the Fundations program and expects that we send the homework packet. Most parents expect to see spelling homework as well, so this is not usually an issue. Typically, it's only 3 assignments per week.
Though I don't really like homework, these 2 assignments should not take more than 25 minutes, 3 nights per week. Surely that is do-able.
Want to know why I won't assign homework? Here are my top 5 reasons:
1. I can't stand the thought of kids not getting outside to play because they had hours of homework.
2. Families have enough going on: working late, cooking supper, packing lunches, laundry, etc.
3. My students don't always have easy access to materials. Sometimes just finding a pencil is a challenge... let alone glue, scissors, and crayons. FORGET PROJECTS! NOT HAPPENING!
4. I don't need to know how well their parents can do a 2nd grade assignment! Too many parents spoon feed the answers, or just write it themselves (I know you have seen it yourself!)
5. Not all students have parents that can/will help. That's unfair disadvantage that is going to show itself enough, I'm just going to do my best to make sure those kids get the help they need IN CLASS.
Like most of you, I can't seem to fit everything I need to do in to my day, and I can't take "homework" home with me because I have a family to take care of, we just do the best we can.
Students with supportive parents and access to materials, internet, and experiences are most likely going to be more successful than those without, it's just not going to be a requirement in my classroom that widens the gap even more by making students without feel inadequate.
I can completely relate. Being in a private school doesn't make this any more not real either. Some of our parents hold sports high above education. It's sad but true. I send homework home because it's expected but I don't grade it. i just check to see if it's complete and even if it isn't I don't penalize the kids. It's not their fault no one will help them.
ReplyDeleteThe Busy Busy Hive
I totally agree. I am not in the classroom now that I have my own kids, but often I'll get asked what I would do differently now that I have them. My one and only answer is always homework. I always assigned the district required amount based on how long I thought it would take for the average student to complete it in class. Now I'd not care what the district thought and assign what would be that amount for the lowest, slowest student, with extra time allotted for being slower at home than at school. That would pretty much be reading and maybe one other quick and easy thing.
ReplyDelete