A classroom teacher’s view on homework

I do see research as having a role in the academic process and I do not agree with Alfie Kohn (see post), who appears to think research is useless, or even worse, has an unfavorable effect. While Kohn asserts there is practically no research that proves research to be useful, I did not see a persuading quantity of tough data to support doing away with all homework.
Yes, the amount of research should be based on the trainees age and grade level. As many Kindergarten-3rd grade teachers are self-contained, it ought to be relatively easy to provide mathematics homework one night, spelling or checking out one night, etc to avoid overwhelming 5 to 8-year-olds. Homework can be a dissentious subject in the education community, and we hope you can appreciate this instructors point of view.

LE: What is your position on the problem of homework?
When I address this question, I address as an educator and as the parent of school age children. I do see research as having a role in the instructional procedure and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see short article), who appears to believe research is worthless, or worse, has an unfavorable effect. While Kohn asserts there is nearly no research that proves homework to be advantageous, I did not see a convincing amount of difficult information to support eliminating all research.
Yes, the amount of research ought to be based upon the trainees age and grade level. As a lot of Kindergarten-3rd grade teachers are self-contained, it should be reasonably easy to give math research one night, spelling or checking out one night, etc to avoid overloading 5 to 8-year-olds. If instructors are innovative with projects and in communicating the purpose of the task, students should not end up being bored or frustrated. Those are my objectives as a fourth-grade teacher. I see research to extend learning. Would I assign 30 math problems to students who I understand would struggle 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 customize the projects.
Our textbook points out it can take 24 repeatings of an ability for a trainee to reach 80% competency. Kohn points out how students may become much better at keeping in mind, but not thinking. I see this as 2 different things; we require trainees to keep in mind certain truths and then move on to utilizing those abilities as thinkers and problem solvers.
As a parent, it can be tough to squeeze in research some nights! We do the best we can, and if we have concerns or problems, I reach out to the instructor. Again, good instructors make it a point to know what some house situations might be like and to customize accordingly.

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

When considering homework, instructors discover it helpful to communicate their policy with the families of their students. After recently finishing a Learners Edge course, Jennifer Lindsey, a fourth grade instructor from Pennsylvania, reviewed her research philosophy which consists of the purposeful roles teachers and families play.

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