Blog #10 Homework Rationale

Teachers and schools are held accountable for increasing instruction and accountability and days in school are packed full of activity and testing. Meaningful homework is a way to check understanding and mastery of concepts and skills, giving teachers information to help them make instructional decisions. Although Alfie Kohn states, "no study has ever found a correlation between homework and academic achievement in elementary school, and there is little reason to believe that homework is necessary in high school," he makes several suggestions to help educators and administrators change their view of homework. Kohn's suggestions consist of the following:

• Educate yourself and share with teachers, parents and other administrators what the research says about homework.
• Rethink homework policies.
• Reduce the amount of homework but also remain realistic when estimating the time it takes to complete the work; considering the students who work slowest, not basing estimations on the students who work fastest.
• After realistic time estimates, reflect on whether the assignment will help students think deeply and/or more critically about the subject matter.
• Change the default and require students to take homework home only when there is a high likelihood that it will be completed and beneficial to most students.
• Ask kids what their thoughts are on homework to find out what their thoughts are on the subject. Make questionnaires anonymous and find out how they feel and why they feel a particular way about homework.
• Teachers should assign only what they've designed. In other words, giving pre-made worksheets as homework may not be the best practice. Creating several assignments based on student needs and abilities is more beneficial to students, giving them an opportunity to work on specific skills they need to practice or master.
• Last but not least, experiment. Try different strategies to see what fits your personality, teaching style, and the needs of your students. It is more work to begin with and may take some time to refine but you might find that in the long run it is better for you and your students.

I do not give homework at my particular grade level and am not required to give it, but I send home work with students who need more practice on specific skills with complete instructions for parents. At times this works very well and at other times we find that nothing is done at home. When work is sent home, students' mastery of skills is checked with activities and assessments at school and progress is monitored regularly. This practice gives me information and input to inform my instruction and intervention practices.

Technology is an issue that we all deal with and one that will become more and more prominent in our society. There are great tools for students and parents to use at home that can make learning fun and different. Tools such as RAZ-Kids allow students to read online and teachers can then listen to the recording and inform their instruction for students in order to give individual feedback.

(quotes and information from www.education.com/print/The_Homework_Debate/ and www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/rethinkinghomework.htm)