A classroom teacher’s view on homework

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I do see homework as having a function in the instructional procedure and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see post), who appears to think homework is useless, or worse, has an unfavorable impact. While Kohn asserts there is nearly no research that shows homework to be useful, I did not see a convincing amount of hard data to support doing away with all homework.
Yes, the amount of research need to be based on the students age and grade level. As a lot of Kindergarten-3rd grade teachers are self-contained, it ought to be relatively easy to give math research one night, checking out or spelling one night, etc to avoid overwhelming 5 to 8-year-olds. Research can be a divisive topic in the education community, and we hope you can appreciate this instructors point of view.

LE: What is your position on the problem of research?
When I answer this concern, I respond to as an educator and as the parent of school age children. I do see research as having a role in the educational process and I do not agree with Alfie Kohn (see short article), who appears to think research is worthless, or even worse, has a negative effect. While Kohn asserts there is practically no research that shows homework to be advantageous, I did not see a convincing amount of difficult data to support doing away with all research.
Yes, the amount of research need to be based on the students age and grade level. As a lot of Kindergarten-3rd grade instructors are self-contained, it needs to be reasonably easy to provide mathematics homework one night, checking out or spelling one night, etc to avoid overloading 5 to 8-year-olds. I see research to extend learning.
Our textbook explains it can take 24 repeatings of an ability for a student to reach 80% competency. I believe practicing skills is rewarding. Kohns contrast with tennis does not make sense to me. There are abilities in tennis you should practice to improve. There are basic math abilities children should practice to construct a strong structure before moving on to higher-level math skills. Kohn mentions how trainees may become better at remembering, however not believing. I see this as 2 different things; we require trainees to remember particular facts and then move on to using those skills as thinkers and problem solvers.
As a parent, it can be hard to squeeze in homework some nights! My own children have brought house tasks I thought inappropriate or too lengthy for one night. We do the very best we can, and if we have issues or issues, I reach out to the instructor. Understanding some students have little or no support at home should be recognized by educators. Again, good teachers make it a point to know what some home circumstances might be like and to modify accordingly. When possible, coworkers can collaborate, as described in two supplemental course posts, by establishing a learning lab or incorporating “Drop-In” times throughout the school day
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Research can be a divisive subject in the education neighborhood, and we hope you can appreciate this teachers point of view. How do you communicate with families about homework?

When believing about research, teachers discover it useful to communicate their policy with the households of their students. After just recently finishing a Learners Edge course, Jennifer Lindsey, a 4th grade teacher from Pennsylvania, reviewed her research philosophy which consists of the purposeful functions instructors and households play.

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