Should teachers send work home?
As a teacher, I hate assigning homework. As a parent, I detest seeing homework assigned to my kids. My reasons may border on pure selfishness, but I really do not see the benefits of homework for my kids or their kids. Maybe it is the time of year, but I think teachers all over are lightening up, and I think they are feeling as I do!
From the teacher view of the homework issue, it is primarily a major pain to keep track of. I have to remind all of my students to take their books home, because they do not read the instructions I have on the board. Also, assigning homework has a direct correlation with the probability that the students will lose their books, leaving me without enough for each student next year. Maybe an optional web-quest would provide more valuable reinforcement than rote workbook exercises. Then, the day the homework is due, I have to leave class time to review the homework with the students, rather than completing some really fun stuff in class.
To give the parent in me equal time, I feel that time at home is my time, not the school’s time; they already dictate what my kids do a good portion of the day and year (I throw out summer reading lists—I will choose our summer reading, thank you, if there is any, and I defy anyone to tell me my kids will be left behind—they won’t be.). We are busy with other activities; we do not have time to figure out if the teacher has taught a concept so that my child has learned it, but they are most welcome to send me a report (also known as a report card) to let me know if my kids are making the grade. If they are not, then maybe we can get someone to tutor them, but please, not in my house.
It is not proven that homework provides reinforcement of concepts; in fact, I feel that it would have to be completed in order to have an effect on achievement. The higher-achieving students are going to complete the homework because it comes easily to them, while the lower-achievers are going to be frustrated and leave it for the teacher to assist them. Why waste anyone’s precious free time? My son could be spending more time trying to capture Skorupi in Pokemon Pearl, while my daughter could be watching Bratz Rock Angelz for the thirtieth time. As for me, I could be spending more time on my writing career.
