A classroom teacher’s view on homework

I do see homework as having a role in the instructional procedure and I do not concur with Alfie Kohn (see post), who appears to think research is worthless, or worse, has an unfavorable effect. While Kohn asserts there is almost no research that proves homework to be beneficial, I did not see a persuading quantity of hard data to support doing away with all homework.
Yes, the quantity of research should be based on the trainees age and grade level. As a lot of Kindergarten-3rd grade instructors are self-contained, it should be relatively simple to give math homework one night, reading or spelling one night, etc to prevent overloading 5 to 8-year-olds. Research can be a divisive topic in the education neighborhood, and we hope you can value this teachers point of view.

When considering research, instructors find it advantageous 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, assessed her research philosophy that includes the purposeful roles teachers and households play.

LE: What is your position on the issue of homework?
When I address this concern, I address as a teacher and as the moms and dad of school age kids. I do see research as having a function in the educational procedure and I do not agree with Alfie Kohn (see post), who appears to believe research is worthless, or even worse, has an unfavorable effect. While Kohn asserts there is almost no research study that shows research to be helpful, I did not see a persuading amount of tough information to support getting rid of all homework.
Yes, the amount of homework need to be based on the students age and grade level. As most Kindergarten-3rd grade teachers are self-contained, it must be relatively basic to provide math homework one night, reading or spelling one night, etc to avoid overwhelming 5 to 8-year-olds. I see homework to extend learning.
Our textbook points out it can take 24 repeatings of a skill for a student to reach 80% competency. Kohn points out how trainees may become better at remembering, however not thinking. I see this as two different things; we require students to remember specific realities and then move on to utilizing those abilities as thinkers and problem solvers.
As a moms and dad, it can be hard 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. Once again, great teachers make it a point to understand what some home circumstances may be like and to modify accordingly.

Homework can be a divisive topic in the education neighborhood, and we hope you can appreciate this teachers point of view. How do you communicate with families about research?

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