I wish that Dan Meyer was teaching our kids. He raises an important point in the ongoing conversation about Homework that I started last week. Dan says:
There is only one conclusion to draw from all this: eliminating homework makes the teacher’s job harder, not easier.
Oh dear, the secret is now out …
Harold,
Homework. Love the discussion. Love the ancedotes. With 7 children, I watch carefully what my children do. For most of them, there is no homework unless they are working on a project or something. Now, my one daughter usually has homework everynight. She is LD and has trouble with reading so part of our night is sitting and working with her. If she doesn’t have work, we still spend time with her reading and working on reading skills which we know are very important. I don’t think that “homework” is necessary. Students should be given ample time to complete work in class especially if it is anwering questions or other such things. Project work should be assigned with enough time to do the project in class. If students want to work on it at home, then that is their decision. With the technology available, deadlines and due dates should be posted online so that everyone can access them. We have the technology and access to do away with much of the paper and pencil work and get into really creative responses from students that show their understanding of what is being asked. If they want. If they don’t want to do the work, it won’t matter what we do. Let’s get past the past.
Great attitude, Kelly; I hope it catches on with other teachers.