A classroom teacher’s view on homework

Research can be a dissentious topic in the education neighborhood, and we hope you can value this instructors point of view. How do you communicate with families about research?

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I do see research as having a role in the instructional process and I do not agree with Alfie Kohn (see article), who appears to think homework is worthless, or even worse, has a negative impact. While Kohn asserts there is nearly no research that shows homework to be beneficial, I did not see a persuading amount of tough 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 a lot of Kindergarten-3rd grade instructors are self-contained, it ought to be reasonably simple to give math homework one night, checking out or spelling one night, etc to prevent straining 5 to 8-year-olds. Research can be a dissentious topic in the education neighborhood, and we hope you can value this instructors point of view.

LE: What is your position on the problem of research?
I address as a teacher and as the parent of school age kids when I address this concern. I do see homework as having a function in the educational procedure and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see post), who appears to think homework is useless, or worse, has a negative effect. While Kohn asserts there is practically no research study that proves research to be useful, I did not see a persuading amount of hard information to support doing away with all homework.
Yes, the quantity of research must be based upon the trainees age and grade level. As the majority of Kindergarten-3rd grade instructors are self-contained, it should be relatively easy to offer math homework one night, spelling or checking out one night, and so on to avoid overwhelming 5 to 8-year-olds. Students should not end up being bored or frustrated if teachers are imaginative with tasks and in interacting the function of the project. Those are my objectives as a fourth-grade instructor. I see research to extend learning. Would I designate 30 mathematics problems to students who I know would have problem with them, or to trainees who have demonstrated their understanding of the skill? No, in those cases, it is my task as the teacher to modify the projects.
Our book mentions it can take 24 repeatings of an ability for a student to reach 80% competency. I believe practicing skills is beneficial. Kohns comparison with tennis does not make sense to me. There are abilities in tennis you should practice to enhance. There are fundamental mathematics abilities children should practice to develop a strong structure prior to proceeding to higher-level math skills. Kohn points out how trainees might progress at keeping in mind, however not thinking. I see this as 2 different things; we require trainees to bear in mind certain truths and then move on to utilizing those abilities as thinkers and issue solvers.
As a moms and dad, it can be hard to squeeze in research some nights! My own kids have actually brought house projects I thought too prolonged or improper for one night. We do the finest we can, and if we have issues or concerns, I reach out to the teacher. Understanding some trainees have little or no support in your home must be recognized by educators. Once again, good teachers make it a point to know what some house scenarios may resemble and to customize accordingly. When possible, colleagues can collaborate, as described in two extra course articles, by establishing a learning laboratory or including “Drop-In” times throughout the school day
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When thinking about homework, instructors discover it helpful to communicate their policy with the households of their trainees. After just recently finishing a Learners Edge course, Jennifer Lindsey, a fourth grade instructor from Pennsylvania, showed on her homework viewpoint that includes the purposeful roles teachers and families play.

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