Comments on: Homework for the kids? http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/ Fri, 04 Jul 2008 16:06:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Atomictumor http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2612 Atomictumor Mon, 18 Sep 2006 17:55:30 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2612 Evidently I totally missed the point <a href="http://www.knoxviews.com/node/2160" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Good think <a href="http://www.jonathanhickman.com/2006/09/18/instafoolery/" rel="nofollow">Jon</a> didn't Evidently I totally missed the point here. Good think Jon didn’t

]]> By: jonathan hickman http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2616 jonathan hickman Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:41:02 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2616 Back to the subject, though: I agree that homework is at best a waste of time and at worst bad for the child. I know we have very little time with the kids during the school year after their homework is done, and the only thing I can tell they get out of it is a dislike for work and a skill for procrastination. And for what? Back to the subject, though: I agree that homework is at best a waste of time and at worst bad for the child. I know we have very little time with the kids during the school year after their homework is done, and the only thing I can tell they get out of it is a dislike for work and a skill for procrastination. And for what?

]]> By: katie allison granju http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2617 katie allison granju Mon, 18 Sep 2006 18:53:04 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2617 My opinion on homework: http://katieallisongranju.blogspot.com/2006/09/case-against-homework.html My opinion on homework:

http://katieallisongranju.blogspot.com/2006/09/case-against-homework.html

]]> By: Atomictumor http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2619 Atomictumor Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:00:35 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2619 Katie, thats dead on. Luckily, it seems that our feelings toward the nasty stuff is picking up some credence. Its the height of ignorance to defend something simply because "thats the way it aways was", but that appears to be teh defense for homework. Katie, thats dead on. Luckily, it seems that our feelings toward the nasty stuff is picking up some credence.
Its the height of ignorance to defend something simply because “thats the way it aways was”, but that appears to be teh defense for homework.

]]> By: Stormare Mackee http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2621 Stormare Mackee Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:07:41 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2621 I'm a product of European public school system, so I've got a little different take on the importance and the benefits of homework. Just recently, my daughter came home with a failed social studies test, and upon inquiring about the lack of performance, I was advised that in her class, there is no homework, nobody takes notes and the teacher doesn't let students take home the text book to study before a test. Apparently, kids are expected to grasp and memorize the information on the spot with no benefit of practice and repetition -- there seems to be no provision for success by hard work (i.e. studying until you learn). I’m a product of European public school system, so I’ve got a little different take on the importance and the benefits of homework. Just recently, my daughter came home with a failed social studies test, and upon inquiring about the lack of performance, I was advised that in her class, there is no homework, nobody takes notes and the teacher doesn’t let students take home the text book to study before a test. Apparently, kids are expected to grasp and memorize the information on the spot with no benefit of practice and repetition — there seems to be no provision for success by hard work (i.e. studying until you learn).

]]> By: katie allison granju http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2622 katie allison granju Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:15:39 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2622 This is not an either-or thing. It's not homework vs. laziness/academic mediocrity. I don't take my work home every night and neither should my kid. This is not an either-or thing. It’s not homework vs. laziness/academic mediocrity.

I don’t take my work home every night and neither should my kid.

]]> By: AT http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2624 AT Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:19:04 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2624 Stormare, sounds like you may want to inquire as to the teaching methods of this social studies class, because it sounds like the teacher is interested in either some kinda weird sociological experiment, or failing you daughter. I wonder if there couldn't be more to it than that. Stormare, sounds like you may want to inquire as to the teaching methods of this social studies class, because it sounds like the teacher is interested in either some kinda weird sociological experiment, or failing you daughter. I wonder if there couldn’t be more to it than that.

]]> By: meice http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2627 meice Mon, 18 Sep 2006 19:56:23 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2627 Yeah... Stormare that doesn't sound quiet right. Who did you inquire of? Maybe it's true, but I'd check with the teacher or the principle. Doesn't make sense and really sounds like a bad excuse. Why wouldn't they allow taking the book home? Budget problems? What grade is she in? Its really the responsiblity of the student once they reach a level of schooling like highschool to determine if they should be taking notes. Yeah… Stormare that doesn’t sound quiet right. Who did you inquire of? Maybe it’s true, but I’d check with the teacher or the principle. Doesn’t make sense and really sounds like a bad excuse. Why wouldn’t they allow taking the book home? Budget problems? What grade is she in? Its really the responsiblity of the student once they reach a level of schooling like highschool to determine if they should be taking notes.

]]> By: Stormare Mackee http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2631 Stormare Mackee Mon, 18 Sep 2006 20:25:14 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2631 She's in the 4th grade, but the test included some pretty heavy trivia that I wouldn't expect a 10-year-old to remember without notes or re-reading the book before the test. This is an elementary school in North Knox County. I sent a note to the teacher and I'll know more tonight. My daughter firmly shares Jonathan Hickman's sentiment about homework, so I wouldn't put it past her to have exercised some artistic license in her account. She’s in the 4th grade, but the test included some pretty heavy trivia that I wouldn’t expect a 10-year-old to remember without notes or re-reading the book before the test. This is an elementary school in North Knox County. I sent a note to the teacher and I’ll know more tonight. My daughter firmly shares Jonathan Hickman’s sentiment about homework, so I wouldn’t put it past her to have exercised some artistic license in her account.

]]> By: The Bosphorus http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2632 The Bosphorus Mon, 18 Sep 2006 21:25:30 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2632 While at work, I hear anecdotal references to the heavy amounts of homework students take home. These are parent's comments, as well. I've also witnessed the crazy after school schedules that elementary age kids are subjected to. I wonder if the two aren't somehow related? There seems to be this notion that the more you do of something the better you'll get at it. I think homework ought be approached in an age appropriate manner. I don't think homework should be done away w/ altogether, just approached w/ moderation. While at work, I hear anecdotal references to the heavy amounts of homework students take home. These are parent’s comments, as well. I’ve also witnessed the crazy after school schedules that elementary age kids are subjected to. I wonder if the two aren’t somehow related? There seems to be this notion that the more you do of something the better you’ll get at it.

I think homework ought be approached in an age appropriate manner. I don’t think homework should be done away w/ altogether, just approached w/ moderation.

]]> By: GoldenAppleCorp http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2633 GoldenAppleCorp Mon, 18 Sep 2006 22:33:34 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2633 I agree with you, Bos, about the moderation. If kids never have homework, they'll find it very hard to be able to priorize projects, studying and homework in high school and college. So far, MastaG hasn't brought home ridiculous amounts of homework at one time. I've ocassionally been concerned about the difficulty of his homework, though. And that he likes to wait till the last minute to tell me about the project he needs to turn in tomorrow. I agree with you, Bos, about the moderation.
If kids never have homework, they’ll find it very hard to be able to priorize projects, studying and homework in high school and college.
So far, MastaG hasn’t brought home ridiculous amounts of homework at one time. I’ve ocassionally been concerned about the difficulty of his homework, though. And that he likes to wait till the last minute to tell me about the project he needs to turn in tomorrow.

]]> By: Joel http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2634 Joel Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:13:17 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2634 More on the homework topic here: http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=12024 The money graf: "When it succeeds, homework is, in those rare instances, the poster-child example of an educational policy that overwhelmingly advantages rich students with well-educated parents. This shouldn't come as a shock, since homework, as its name implies, is usually done in the home. That is where differences in class, education, and family structure are starkest. As Richard Rothstein details in Class and Schools, those differences are not slight: Disadvantaged parents are less likely to help their children and, when they do, their help is likely to be less valuable. Affluent children are likely to have rooms or workspaces of their own, while many underprivileged students must carve out a nook in more crowded housing. And when they do so, they aren't apt to have computers or reference books on hand to help." More on the homework topic here:

http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=12024

The money graf:

“When it succeeds, homework is, in those rare instances, the poster-child example of an educational policy that overwhelmingly advantages rich students with well-educated parents. This shouldn’t come as a shock, since homework, as its name implies, is usually done in the home. That is where differences in class, education, and family structure are starkest. As Richard Rothstein details in Class and Schools, those differences are not slight: Disadvantaged parents are less likely to help their children and, when they do, their help is likely to be less valuable. Affluent children are likely to have rooms or workspaces of their own, while many underprivileged students must carve out a nook in more crowded housing. And when they do so, they aren’t apt to have computers or reference books on hand to help.”

]]> By: Netmom http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2635 Netmom Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:32:46 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2635 Good reference, Joel. I tend to fall in the "moderation" camp: there are certain circumstances in which homework is beneficial, particularly when reinforcing a new concept, or memorizing something that doesn' t come naturally. Memorizing addition and subtraction facts or copying spelling words a <i>reasonable</i> number of times are examples of things that can be learned more quickly when practiced at home. The flip side of that, of course, is that forcing a child to repeat and repeat a concept that they've already mastered is the pinnacle of drudgery, and teaches the child to hate homework, hate the subject, and hate school in general -- no matter how educated or affluent the parents. The best homework in elementary school is in small doses, but something that is reasonably challenging. Projects should not be assigned unless an e-mail or note is sent to the parents at least a week in advance, with a response required to ensure that the notice was received. I, too, have made too many trips to Wal-Mart after dark because someone needed [posterboard, markers, a t-shirt, fill in the blank] for a project due the next morning. Good reference, Joel.

I tend to fall in the “moderation” camp: there are certain circumstances in which homework is beneficial, particularly when reinforcing a new concept, or memorizing something that doesn’ t come naturally. Memorizing addition and subtraction facts or copying spelling words a reasonable number of times are examples of things that can be learned more quickly when practiced at home.

The flip side of that, of course, is that forcing a child to repeat and repeat a concept that they’ve already mastered is the pinnacle of drudgery, and teaches the child to hate homework, hate the subject, and hate school in general — no matter how educated or affluent the parents.

The best homework in elementary school is in small doses, but something that is reasonably challenging. Projects should not be assigned unless an e-mail or note is sent to the parents at least a week in advance, with a response required to ensure that the notice was received. I, too, have made too many trips to Wal-Mart after dark because someone needed [posterboard, markers, a t-shirt, fill in the blank] for a project due the next morning.

]]> By: Stormare Mackee http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2648 Stormare Mackee Tue, 19 Sep 2006 14:06:31 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2648 Well, daughter came home and brought back a folder of notes from Social Studies, which had mysteriously materialized overnight. However, the notes didn't cover half the subject matter in the test. So my conclusion is that there are two underlying problems. First is is that _she was never taught how to study_. She has no clue about taking notes, asking questions or studying for a test. Second, and the most important thing, is that without homework, there's no way for us to timely figure out if she's learning what she's supposed to be learning. I'm in agreement with Netmom. I wouldn't want my daughter to drudge hours to an end doing homework, but if she's struggling, I want to know about it _before_ the test. Well, daughter came home and brought back a folder of notes from Social Studies, which had mysteriously materialized overnight. However, the notes didn’t cover half the subject matter in the test. So my conclusion is that there are two underlying problems. First is is that _she was never taught how to study_. She has no clue about taking notes, asking questions or studying for a test. Second, and the most important thing, is that without homework, there’s no way for us to timely figure out if she’s learning what she’s supposed to be learning. I’m in agreement with Netmom. I wouldn’t want my daughter to drudge hours to an end doing homework, but if she’s struggling, I want to know about it _before_ the test.

]]> By: The Bosphorus http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2653 The Bosphorus Tue, 19 Sep 2006 15:25:34 +0000 http://www.atomictumor.com/2006/09/18/homework-for-the-kids/#comment-2653 Parental envolvment is key to a child's success in school. That point comes across in both Stomare (10:06a) and Joel's comments. The article that Joel linked isn't very hopeful regarding quick fixes, like adjusting the amounts of homework dished out. I think there are ways to monitor a students progress in the classroom besides homework. These other means may be much better than homework, too. Parent/teacher conferences is one traditional way. My kid's teachers send home class work on a regular basis in a simple folder. One of the pre-school teachers my son had kept a journal for each student that went home regularly in his backpack. Parental envolvment is key to a child’s success in school. That point comes across in both Stomare (10:06a) and Joel’s comments. The article that Joel linked isn’t very hopeful regarding quick fixes, like adjusting the amounts of homework dished out.

I think there are ways to monitor a students progress in the classroom besides homework. These other means may be much better than homework, too. Parent/teacher conferences is one traditional way. My kid’s teachers send home class work on a regular basis in a simple folder. One of the pre-school teachers my son had kept a journal for each student that went home regularly in his backpack.

]]>