Don't Give Homework! with Alfie Kohn

Comment

Comment by Kelly Esford on August 5, 2018 at 3:05pm

It was interesting to hear that there is actually no research that shows any benefit to giving homework to students in elementary/middle school. Why do educators continue with this practice despite the fact that it actually makes students less excited about learning? I like the idea of optional homework, where you allow the student to choose whether they feel like they will benefit from it or not. This is the method I have chosen to use. I allow the students (or parents) to decide whether or not homework is a part of their life. At the beginning of the school year, I explain in a newsletter to parents my reasoning for not giving homework; however, I give them the option to chose if they would like their child to complete daily homework. The homework is minimal; only math and reading.

Comment by Kaylee on April 6, 2016 at 11:48pm

I think if teachers feel the need or are required are to give homework, it should be something that is not time consuming and it should not be assigned every single day. Some children don't even get to play outside or do other things after school because they have too much unnecessary homework. Families today are so busy, if we could give kids half the amount of homework they have today, families would get to actually spend meaningful time together. I agree that homework can be very frustrating; for both the child and the parent. I think this is a great video!

Comment by John Russell on December 8, 2015 at 5:12am

I don't think giving homework serves and real purpose other than busy work for teachers.  Students are smart enough to know what they want to learn or do; the problem is can they find someone to help them to do that. Home work once a week or once ever two weeks or once a month wouldn't hurt them.

Comment by Jerri-Ann Archer on October 22, 2015 at 2:33pm

I also received homework consistently as a child. What I am considering is encouraging more fun interactions that can be enriching like "bring in a math joke or riddle to share" "find a math problem that you don't know how to do but looks interesting" as class participation points.