Homework Discussion

Homework discussion

Homework discussion

de Rhonda Cilibraise -
Número de respuestas: 3

Honestly, at first, I was like, 'What? No homework? How will kids learn all the stuff they need to learn????' However, upon listening to my esteemed colleagues, my fears and frights dissipated. . .BECAUSE

-not all kids have home lives conducive to successful completion of homework - those are the kids who are already at risk - homework puts them MORE at risk...why would I want to contribute negatively to that?

-successful kids will remain successful by doing the homework

In sum, I believe that homework does NOT benefit kids - it feeds the gap - therefore, I no longer assign it. In my humble opinion, homework is another reason for kids to hate learning, hate school, and to turn off their true desires for knowledge.

En respuesta a Rhonda Cilibraise

Re: Homework discussion

de Justin Henry -

I agree with everything you said Rhonda, but I still assign homework.

I  believe that students need to independently practice the concepts we learn. And, at the pace we keep marching, I usually can't find class time for independent practice. I am also concerned that if I break ranks with my content area colleagues by not assigning homework, that my students will be ill-prepared for the rigor of their classes when they move on to the next grade.

If your child were in my class, how would you want my Homework Policy to be? Would it affect your opinion if you were an hourly-wage-earning single mother of a couple kids who didn't perform well in school yourself?

En respuesta a Justin Henry

Re: Homework discussion

de Alexia Torres -

        They only time I assign homework is if it is part of a major project or if they have multiple chances to work on it.  I will assign on one day and tell them that it is not due until a few days later. This way, students have some say in when they complete the task. The only other time I give homework is if students misbehave terribly (which has only hap**d once at this level). However, my students do have deadlines for SSR books. If they choose not to read on a certain day, they will have to find time outside of class to read in order to finish their books.

        I honestly haven't noticed as much "drama" at West regarding family issues/social pressures. However, I have had some problems with homework assignments at MPHS.  Last trimester, two of my students literally didn't have a home to do their work! Another lived with his brother- a constantly partying college student. Another was in continuous fear that her exboyfriend was going to show up at her house (when she was home alone) and beat her up. I know that if I had to worry about all these thigns, homework would be my LAST priority. (I know not every student will face such extreme challenges but is it really fair to expect outside work when they are truly living outside?)

-Alexia