Comments on: The Place of Homework in the 21st Century http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/ The Magic of Learning Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:20:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Judie Haynes http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-33098 Judie Haynes Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:22:31 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-33098 I'm looking a homework for English language learners and think that they do need more practice than can possibly be done in class. I have a chapter on homework in my new book Teaching English language learners across content areas (co-authored with Debbie Zacarian) that sums up homework as: "Effective classrooms provide homework that extends day’s lessons, can be completed within a reasonable time, and is “just right” for the (English langauge) proficiency level of the student." I’m looking a homework for English language learners and think that they do need more practice than can possibly be done in class. I have a chapter on homework in my new book Teaching English language learners across content areas (co-authored with Debbie Zacarian) that sums up homework as:

“Effective classrooms provide homework that extends day’s lessons, can be completed within a reasonable time, and is “just right” for the (English langauge) proficiency level of the student.”

]]> By: The Best Resources For Learning About Homework Issues | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-33077 The Best Resources For Learning About Homework Issues | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:01:44 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-33077 [...] The Place of Homework in the 21st Century at Langwitches. Practice, Practice, Practice (Or: Homework, Homework, Homework?) from the ASCD Inservice Community Blog. [...] [...] The Place of Homework in the 21st Century at Langwitches. Practice, Practice, Practice (Or: Homework, Homework, Homework?) from the ASCD Inservice Community Blog. [...]

]]> By: Sam Sherratt http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29889 Sam Sherratt Sat, 16 May 2009 02:45:42 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29889 Such a contentious issue, homework divides teachers, students and parents. So often given because of parent demand, but not all parents demand it. It seems that schools are often at fault for expecting consistency - I have to give tons of homework because that's what they had in the previous grade level. A solution. Be creative with the tasks you give them. Give them a weekly homework list so they can choose what they do and when. Always connect homework to classroom learning. Try to get them producing work that is used in class when it's done. Get them working with parents or other people at home. Get them collaborating with each other. Include them in the homework planning process - use their ideas. I would much prefer my student to climb trees, ride bikes, swim, run and muck about in their free time - it's what I want to do in my free time. But, until I work in a school that doesn't have a standard expectation, they won't be able to do that so I try to make homework different, lively, hands-on, social, creative, painless and thought-provoking. I don't always succeed. Such a contentious issue, homework divides teachers, students and parents. So often given because of parent demand, but not all parents demand it. It seems that schools are often at fault for expecting consistency – I have to give tons of homework because that’s what they had in the previous grade level.

A solution. Be creative with the tasks you give them. Give them a weekly homework list so they can choose what they do and when. Always connect homework to classroom learning. Try to get them producing work that is used in class when it’s done. Get them working with parents or other people at home. Get them collaborating with each other. Include them in the homework planning process – use their ideas.

I would much prefer my student to climb trees, ride bikes, swim, run and muck about in their free time – it’s what I want to do in my free time. But, until I work in a school that doesn’t have a standard expectation, they won’t be able to do that so I try to make homework different, lively, hands-on, social, creative, painless and thought-provoking.

I don’t always succeed.

]]> By: Kerry Dickinson http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29853 Kerry Dickinson Mon, 11 May 2009 20:23:49 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29853 Check out Sara Bennett's blog www.StopHomework.com to look at re-examining accepted homework practices. And, check out Vicki Abeles' new film "Race to Nowhere" at www.ReelLinkFilms.com to see how ill-prepared our students are for the 21st century b/c of this over-scheduled, over-academic, over-achieving culture. Check out Sara Bennett’s blog http://www.StopHomework.com to look at re-examining accepted homework practices. And, check out Vicki Abeles’ new film “Race to Nowhere” at http://www.ReelLinkFilms.com to see how ill-prepared our students are for the 21st century b/c of this over-scheduled, over-academic, over-achieving culture.

]]> By: Jessica Tipton http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29852 Jessica Tipton Mon, 11 May 2009 17:08:31 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29852 I think that before we vote yes or no on the issue of homework, we must have a discussion of how teachers are using homework. I think that some teachers use it as punishment; some use it as extensive repetitive practice; and some use it (I have done this) to practice new material. My latest idea is to use it to do a cumulative review 3 nights a week. That way students don't forget the stuff they have learned and it doesn't slow the class down when someone skips the homework. My main point is...What purpose does the teacher have for assigning homework? I think that before we vote yes or no on the issue of homework, we must have a discussion of how teachers are using homework. I think that some teachers use it as punishment; some use it as extensive repetitive practice; and some use it (I have done this) to practice new material. My latest idea is to use it to do a cumulative review 3 nights a week. That way students don’t forget the stuff they have learned and it doesn’t slow the class down when someone skips the homework. My main point is…What purpose does the teacher have for assigning homework?

]]> By: Shared Items From Google Reader - May 11, 2009 « timlauer.org http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29850 Shared Items From Google Reader - May 11, 2009 « timlauer.org Mon, 11 May 2009 13:02:47 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29850 [...] The Place of Homework in the 21st Century [...] [...] The Place of Homework in the 21st Century [...]

]]> By: Ben Grundy http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29847 Ben Grundy Mon, 11 May 2009 00:15:13 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29847 Firstly, great post! What I get from this, my own thoughts and listening to/reading others is that homework should be about genuine, authentic and engaging learning at home/out of school. I question how possible it is for teachers to really provide these opportunities on a frequent basis. Without the adult present to scaffold, guide, question, prompt etc it is very difficult. My next thought to this then, is whose responsibility is it? And my answer would be - parents, grandparents, carers, etc. Surely spending an afternoon once a week at the zoo, local gardens, hiking, at a museum, going to theatre, building a bird feeder, painting, gardening, etc is a million times more meaningful and authentic for learning that completing a page of math questions or practicing spelling words only. Sure, this practice is essential for learning to be consolidated but this can happen at school in a more genuine way, with the guidance of the teacher. Kids' "homework" should be to live, experience, make mistakes, create, question and enjoy their childhood. Less homework and more of the above mentioned type activities = less stress for child, parent and teacher, more learning, better families. Firstly, great post!
What I get from this, my own thoughts and listening to/reading others is that homework should be about genuine, authentic and engaging learning at home/out of school. I question how possible it is for teachers to really provide these opportunities on a frequent basis. Without the adult present to scaffold, guide, question, prompt etc it is very difficult.
My next thought to this then, is whose responsibility is it? And my answer would be – parents, grandparents, carers, etc. Surely spending an afternoon once a week at the zoo, local gardens, hiking, at a museum, going to theatre, building a bird feeder, painting, gardening, etc is a million times more meaningful and authentic for learning that completing a page of math questions or practicing spelling words only. Sure, this practice is essential for learning to be consolidated but this can happen at school in a more genuine way, with the guidance of the teacher.
Kids’ “homework” should be to live, experience, make mistakes, create, question and enjoy their childhood. Less homework and more of the above mentioned type activities = less stress for child, parent and teacher, more learning, better families.

]]> By: Heather Mason http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29845 Heather Mason Sun, 10 May 2009 21:17:13 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29845 The homework question is one that I struggle with. Ideally I would love to be the teacher that gives no homework, but as a language arts teacher, there just isn't enough time for students to finish everything (not cover everything, but finish. The majority of my homework is finishing what we start in class. We start an essay where I can work on it with students, homework is to finish it. We start a story and spend two or three days on the reading portion, homework is to finish it. I have a 45 min class 4 days a week and a 40 min class one day. Not much class time. I don't consider this busy work nor is it drill, but is this the type of work that the anti-homework researchers are talking about? I don't know. If I were to stop giving any homework, would I be able to cover all I am required to cover? Does not giving homework mean I have to wait for all students to finish an assignment before started the next whole group activity? Some students work very slowly and not just because of disablilites. Many adv. student are just overly consciencious. If I were to move on, would the extra work bury those that move slower? If there were no homework (and understanding that tech access is still an issue in many schools), are there other ways to involve parents of secondary students in thier classwork that don't put even more work on the teacher? I don't have answers nor am I arguing, but these are the questions I have regarding homework in my class. The homework question is one that I struggle with. Ideally I would love to be the teacher that gives no homework, but as a language arts teacher, there just isn’t enough time for students to finish everything (not cover everything, but finish. The majority of my homework is finishing what we start in class. We start an essay where I can work on it with students, homework is to finish it. We start a story and spend two or three days on the reading portion, homework is to finish it. I have a 45 min class 4 days a week and a 40 min class one day. Not much class time. I don’t consider this busy work nor is it drill, but is this the type of work that the anti-homework researchers are talking about? I don’t know. If I were to stop giving any homework, would I be able to cover all I am required to cover? Does not giving homework mean I have to wait for all students to finish an assignment before started the next whole group activity? Some students work very slowly and not just because of disablilites. Many adv. student are just overly consciencious. If I were to move on, would the extra work bury those that move slower? If there were no homework (and understanding that tech access is still an issue in many schools), are there other ways to involve parents of secondary students in thier classwork that don’t put even more work on the teacher? I don’t have answers nor am I arguing, but these are the questions I have regarding homework in my class.

]]> By: nick verney http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29844 nick verney Sun, 10 May 2009 20:05:08 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29844 we are about to look at changing homework that we do in mfl in our school. I am poor at setting homework after each lesson as I hate setting meaningless tasks, and the marking load goes through the roof. However, I think that setting it regularly, if it is enjoyable and useful, is important and is something I should do more. Our plan is to use our vle as the standard homework for all our pupils. The standard homework will be to review a lesson presentation online and therefore review the lesson in their own time. This allows all pupils to consolidate learning and to extend learning if they want. we can check they have done it and for how long and there is no marking for us. Once every month we will then set a more extended homework which can serve as a summary. I think pupils will get more from this approach than from completing worksheets / writing things. They can do this in addition if they so wish. we are about to look at changing homework that we do in mfl in our school. I am poor at setting homework after each lesson as I hate setting meaningless tasks, and the marking load goes through the roof. However, I think that setting it regularly, if it is enjoyable and useful, is important and is something I should do more.
Our plan is to use our vle as the standard homework for all our pupils. The standard homework will be to review a lesson presentation online and therefore review the lesson in their own time. This allows all pupils to consolidate learning and to extend learning if they want. we can check they have done it and for how long and there is no marking for us. Once every month we will then set a more extended homework which can serve as a summary. I think pupils will get more from this approach than from completing worksheets / writing things. They can do this in addition if they so wish.

]]> By: Clarence Fisher http://langwitches.org/blog/2009/05/10/the-place-of-homework-in-the-21st-century/comment-page-1/#comment-29843 Clarence Fisher Sun, 10 May 2009 19:16:10 +0000 http://langwitches.org/blog/?p=3934#comment-29843 This is always such a polarizing issue between people. I give homework, but in reality it turns out to be very little. A few 1/2 hrs a few times / week is most likely average. This is at grade 7/8. Others in my building give far more and I am often criticized about not preparing students for highschool. I believe strongly in what you stated at the beginning of this post as well. I don't give more busy work and worksheets. Most of the homework that students have in my class is finishing up things from the classroom or getting to a certain point in a project, or finding something specific they need for class. It is more often a "keep us fairly close together as a class" kind of thing rather then a "here's a bunch of stuff to get through" kind of thing. Does that make any sense. If we're voting, I'm voting for less rather than more as a parent as well as I know the effects it can have on a family. Great post. This is always such a polarizing issue between people. I give homework, but in reality it turns out to be very little. A few 1/2 hrs a few times / week is most likely average. This is at grade 7/8. Others in my building give far more and I am often criticized about not preparing students for highschool. I believe strongly in what you stated at the beginning of this post as well. I don’t give more busy work and worksheets. Most of the homework that students have in my class is finishing up things from the classroom or getting to a certain point in a project, or finding something specific they need for class. It is more often a “keep us fairly close together as a class” kind of thing rather then a “here’s a bunch of stuff to get through” kind of thing. Does that make any sense. If we’re voting, I’m voting for less rather than more as a parent as well as I know the effects it can have on a family. Great post.

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