A classroom teacher’s view on homework

Research can be a dissentious subject in the education community, and we hope you can appreciate this instructors point of view. We want to hear your thoughts about research. What is your approach? How do you interact with families about homework?

I do see homework as having a function in the instructional process and I do not agree with Alfie Kohn (see short article), who appears to believe homework is worthless, or even worse, has a negative effect. While Kohn asserts there is nearly no research study that shows homework to be advantageous, I did not see a convincing quantity of tough information to support doing away with all research.
Yes, the quantity of homework ought to be based on the students age and grade level. As most Kindergarten-3rd grade instructors are self-contained, it needs to be fairly basic to give mathematics research one night, spelling or checking out one night, etc to prevent straining 5 to 8-year-olds. Research can be a divisive topic in the education community, and we hope you can appreciate this teachers point of view.

LE: What is your position on the problem of research?
When I answer this question, I answer as a teacher and as the moms and dad of school age children. I do see research as having a function in the educational process and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see short article), who appears to believe homework is useless, or even worse, has a negative effect. While Kohn asserts there is practically no research that shows homework to be useful, I did not see a convincing amount of tough data to support getting rid of all research.
Yes, the quantity of homework should be based on the trainees age and grade level. As a lot of Kindergarten-3rd grade teachers are self-contained, it should be fairly easy to give math homework one night, reading or spelling one night, etc to prevent overwhelming 5 to 8-year-olds. I see homework to extend learning.
Our book mentions it can take 24 repeatings of an ability for a trainee to reach 80% proficiency. I think practicing skills is worthwhile. Kohns contrast with tennis does not make sense to me. There are skills in tennis you should practice to improve. There are fundamental math abilities children need to practice to develop a strong structure before moving on to higher-level mathematics skills. Kohn mentions how trainees may become much better at keeping in mind, but not thinking. I see this as two different things; we require trainees to keep in mind certain realities and after that carry on to utilizing those abilities as thinkers and issue solvers.
As a moms and dad, it can be hard to squeeze in homework some nights! My own kids have actually brought home tasks I believed inappropriate or too lengthy for one night. We do the very best we can, and if we have concerns or problems, I reach out to the instructor. Knowing some students have little or no support at home need to be acknowledged by teachers. Again, good instructors make it a point to understand what some house circumstances might be like and to customize appropriately. When possible, colleagues can collaborate, as explained in two extra course short articles, by establishing a finding out lab or including “Drop-In” times throughout the school day
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When considering homework, instructors find it helpful to communicate their policy with the households of their students. After just recently finishing a Learners Edge course, Jennifer Lindsey, a 4th grade instructor from Pennsylvania, assessed her research viewpoint which includes the purposeful roles instructors and households play.

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