A classroom teacher’s view on homework

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I do see homework as having a role in the educational process and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see article), who appears to believe research is useless, or worse, has a negative impact. While Kohn asserts there is practically no research study that shows homework to be beneficial, I did not see a convincing quantity of hard information to support doing away with all research.
Yes, the amount of homework ought to be based on the students age and grade level. As many Kindergarten-3rd grade teachers are self-contained, it must be relatively simple to provide mathematics homework one night, spelling or reading one night, etc to avoid overloading 5 to 8-year-olds. Homework can be a dissentious topic in the education community, and we hope you can appreciate this teachers point of view.

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

LE: What is your position on the concern of homework?
When I address this concern, I respond to as an educator and as the parent of school age kids. I do see homework as having a function in the academic process and I do not agree with Alfie Kohn (see article), who appears to think research is worthless, or even worse, has a negative impact. While Kohn asserts there is practically no research that proves research to be beneficial, I did not see a convincing quantity of hard information to support getting rid of all research.
Yes, the quantity of research should be based on the trainees age and grade level. As many Kindergarten-3rd grade teachers are self-contained, it should be fairly simple to give 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 points out it can take 24 repetitions of an ability for a trainee to reach 80% proficiency. Kohn points out how students might end up being better at keeping in mind, however not thinking. I see this as 2 different things; we require trainees to remember certain facts and then move on to using those skills as thinkers and issue solvers.
As a parent, it can be tough to squeeze in homework some nights! My own children have actually brought home tasks I believed unsuitable or too lengthy for one night. We do the very best we can, and if we have issues or issues, I connect to the instructor. Knowing some students have little or no support at house should be recognized by educators. Again, excellent teachers make it a point to know what some home situations might be like and to modify appropriately. When possible, associates can collaborate, as explained in two extra course posts, by establishing a learning laboratory or including “Drop-In” times during the school day
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Research can be a dissentious subject in the education community, and we hope you can appreciate this teachers viewpoint. We wish to hear your ideas about homework. What is your viewpoint? How do you interact with families about homework?

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