Too Much Homework
Homework has been a problem for students and parents alike for years, problem for students to do, problem for parents to force their children to do. In recent years the concept of no homework has surfaced and as a parent myself I can see why.
One of the pleasures of school holidays is not having to get on the backs of your kids to do their homework. For me, I dread Monday through Thursdays since each of those nights I need to constantly remind my sons to do their work. What's especially dreadful, however, is when some teachers assign special projects over Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations. The reason it is called "winter break" is for there to be a physical and mental time away from school. Teachers should recognize this and not place pressure on families during fun, traditional holidays periods.
As a teacher, why do I want to return to work after a holiday and receive dozens of student projects that I have to grade anyway? It's as if some teachers feel an obligation to "lay it on" when school isn't in session. Even during summer vacation, high schools allow teachers of advanced courses to assign summer work.
I'm a big believer in working hard and playing hard. As I've said previously, the school day and year should be lengthened. But a main reason for this is to allow children more time with their teachers who have the best understanding on how to complete the homework. Keep the homework at school and let kids spend time with their families at home.
Let me know what you think, and season's greetings to one and all.
One of the pleasures of school holidays is not having to get on the backs of your kids to do their homework. For me, I dread Monday through Thursdays since each of those nights I need to constantly remind my sons to do their work. What's especially dreadful, however, is when some teachers assign special projects over Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations. The reason it is called "winter break" is for there to be a physical and mental time away from school. Teachers should recognize this and not place pressure on families during fun, traditional holidays periods.
As a teacher, why do I want to return to work after a holiday and receive dozens of student projects that I have to grade anyway? It's as if some teachers feel an obligation to "lay it on" when school isn't in session. Even during summer vacation, high schools allow teachers of advanced courses to assign summer work.
I'm a big believer in working hard and playing hard. As I've said previously, the school day and year should be lengthened. But a main reason for this is to allow children more time with their teachers who have the best understanding on how to complete the homework. Keep the homework at school and let kids spend time with their families at home.
Let me know what you think, and season's greetings to one and all.
I completely feel you. Being a parent and a teacher I struggle with homework daily. My son never has homework over the holidays and although it can be a nice break, I find that he looses information by the day. I don't think big projects should be assigned but as i do with my students, I think holiday homework should be a review of things learned already that children can do on their own. Something that take 15 min a day to do that strengthens skills already taught.
Reply to this
it seems today that students are overworked and dont only have to excel at school but also have a job do sports and be active in clubs or out of school activites. this has led to an increasing amount of stressed students
Reply to this
As a middle school math teacher, a single mom, and a former home schooler, I have a lot of conflicting opinions on homework. For one thing, I hate it because it takes up family time. On the other hand, too many kids lack the skills they need to go forward and the only way to insure they get the much-needed practice is by assigning homework. All that said, I don't assign homework over the holidays as it's counterintuitive: most of the kids won't do it anyway, or they'll wait until Sunday, January 3rd at around 8:00 PM (at the earliest) and finish it in a hurry. I also really don't want to start a new decade with 150 papers to grade.
Reply to this