We all seem to have multiple personalities when dealing with the topic of homework.
- Teachers feel a sense of responsibility for putting together excellent packets that will keep the learning going at home.
- Parents question a teacher's commitment to the craft if they don't send homework.
- If a teacher sends a comprehensive homework packet, families might brag about it to others that they have a teacher so diligent in their work.
At first we think that strong homework is the mark of a great school and/or teacher. Then reality sets in (at least in my house) and we become the homework police - begging, pleading and threatening if children don't get started.
Here are a few noticings from my perspective as a parent, teacher and elementary school principal:
- Homework takes quite a bit of time to plan, organize and copy. This is time that could be spent on great planning for in class learning, or time that teachers spend at home with their own families.
- Some families LOVE homework. Some families HATE homework.
- Some children turn in homework and others do not.
- It takes time to grade homework (refer to the point in #1)
- Some families want homework graded and returned. If a child has difficulty with a topic and they get help (which is wonderful, but not always possible), and if the teacher gives a grade for the homework, who earned the grade?
- Many families have a caring adult that works in the evening and children do a wonderful job of contributing by doing chores or helping care for younger siblings, leaving little time for homework.
- Some families have limited time together in the evening after a full day of work and school. It can create friction to fight over homework, or stay up late to get the homework done, when that time would be better spent relaxing and talking together (this is my personal story).
- There are times when we have energy for extra learning, and days or weeks when we need more time to relax.
What should children do at home?
- Passion for an art?
- Completely engrossed in a book or a series?
- Excited about something they learned at school and want to practice or do more?
- Sport or activity?
- For the child that squandered learning time during the day, it would be a great choice to complete a task or project at home. Demonstrating responsibility is a part of building character.
There is power in giving learners choice within guard rails. Decide how to use your afternoon and evening time to recharge and reenergize, so you can return to school the next day ready to learn more. Rather than judging one another, let's assume that teachers make the most of each school day and families make the most of their time together.
I'm not saying that children should never practice what they are learning at home, I'm simply asking everyone to think over the concept again and look at it with fresh eyes.
One final thought: I listened to Helen Russell's book A Year of Living Danishly: Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country, and learned that in Danish culture, bosses address employees that stay late at work. They want to figure out why that person can't get their work done during regular business hours. I love this! We have jobs and careers, but they shouldn't be your whole life. Family and relaxation time should be sacred.
Let's do this for one another. Families are educators and educators have families. Show mutual respect for everyone's time and free will to make choices. If we work together to love and grow children, they will thrive and grow, and it will happen without creating more stress and anxiety for everyone involved.