A classroom teacher’s view on homework

Homework can be a dissentious topic in the education neighborhood, and we hope you can value this teachers perspective. We want to hear your ideas about research. What is your viewpoint? How do you interact with families about homework?

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When thinking about research, instructors find it beneficial to interact their policy with the families of their students. After recently completing a Learners Edge course, Jennifer Lindsey, a fourth grade instructor from Pennsylvania, reflected on her homework approach that includes the purposeful roles instructors and families play.

LE: What is your position on the problem of homework?
When I answer this question, I address as a teacher and as the parent of school age kids. I do see research as having a function in the academic process and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see post), who appears to think research is useless, or worse, has an unfavorable effect. While Kohn asserts there is almost no research that shows research to be useful, I did not see a persuading quantity of hard data to support getting rid of all research.
Yes, the amount of research should be based upon the students age and grade level. As many Kindergarten-3rd grade instructors are self-contained, it needs to be fairly easy to give math research one night, spelling or checking out one night, etc to avoid overloading 5 to 8-year-olds. Students should not become annoyed or bored if teachers are innovative with assignments and in interacting the purpose of the project. Those are my objectives as a fourth-grade teacher. I see homework to extend learning. Would I designate 30 math problems to trainees who I understand would have problem with them, or to trainees who have demonstrated their understanding of the skill? No, in those cases, it is my job as the teacher to modify the tasks.
Our textbook explains it can take 24 repetitions of a skill for a student to reach 80% proficiency. I believe practicing skills is rewarding. Kohns contrast with tennis does not make good sense to me. There are skills in tennis you should practice to enhance. There are fundamental mathematics abilities kids should practice to develop a solid structure prior to proceeding to higher-level mathematics skills. Kohn explains how students might end up being much better at remembering, however not believing. I see this as 2 various things; we need students to bear in mind certain facts and after that proceed to utilizing those skills as thinkers and problem solvers.
As a moms and dad, it can be hard to squeeze in homework some nights! My own children have brought home projects I believed too lengthy or improper for one night. We do the very best we can, and if we have issues or problems, I connect to the teacher. Knowing some students have little or no assistance in your home should be recognized by teachers. Once again, great teachers make it an indicate understand what some home circumstances may be like and to modify accordingly. When possible, associates can work together, as described in two extra course short articles, by developing a learning laboratory or incorporating “Drop-In” times throughout the school day
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I do see homework as having a function in the instructional process and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see short article), who appears to think homework is worthless, or worse, has a negative effect. While Kohn asserts there is nearly no research study that proves research to be useful, I did not see a persuading amount of tough information to support doing away with all homework.
Yes, the quantity of research should be based on the trainees age and grade level. As most Kindergarten-3rd grade instructors are self-contained, it must be relatively simple to give mathematics research one night, reading or spelling one night, etc to prevent overwhelming 5 to 8-year-olds. Research can be a dissentious subject in the education neighborhood, and we hope you can value this instructors point of view.

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