Did anybody catch the story on 60 Minutes on Sunday, about whether homework is actually beneficial to students?
I thought I’d throw my 2 cents’ worth into the debate, as I can look at the issue from three perspectives. I’ve experienced homework nightmares as a student, a teacher, AND a parent.
And I have to say: I’m not a fan of homework for primary school students.
As a child, it didn’t bother me too much. I was a conscientious student and mostly did my homework without any parental supervision or encouragement. My main homework nightmares were reserved for the times when my homework wasn’t done – usually for reasons outside of my control (and I’m sure there are a lot of kids in challenging family circumstances, like I was).
Homework Nightmares for Teachers
During my brief foray into classroom teaching, I intentionally set very little homework, as I didn’t feel it brought any real benefits.
My reasoning was that for the children who had worked hard all day, the last thing they needed was more school work to do at home. I would far rather they kick a ball around, fight with their siblings, help a parent cook dinner, read a book, or veg in front of the TV. I knew *I* was exhausted by the end of a school day – how much more would they be?
And for those children that *didn’t* work hard at school – well it was hardly as if they were going to cooperate, or benefit from extra work at home!
I can’t speak for all teachers, but in my mind, homework bred resentment. I would far rather my students arrived at school fresh and ready for a day’s learning, than worn out from homework nightmares.
Mind you, I soon had a parent complaining that their child wasn’t getting enough homework (and it’s probably not a coincidence that I quit teaching not long after!).
Parents Have Homework Nightmares
Our children started off at a private school. By the time Mr 21 was in Year 5, we were already thinking of sending them somewhere different (maybe even the local state school). But the icing on the cake was a conversation I had with my boy’s teacher.
Mr 21 had a LOT of homework that year, including a fairly involved project each week eg make a diorama, prepare a book, etc – the sort of homework that required a high level of parental involvement.
It was tough going; by the time everybody got home from work/school we were all tired and cranky, dinner had to be made, chores done, etc, and the last thing anybody felt like was doing homework.
We kept up the pace for a while but we were all sick of the homework nightmare. Then the hubster and I realised – WE’D already graduated from high school, so why were WE doing homework?! So one week we put our collective foot down, and our son had to do the project on his own.
Would you believe, he came home saying that the teacher refused to mark it?!
Off I trotted to chat with said teacher, who, it must be said, had more than a passing resemblance to a Barbie doll … which she further confirmed when she opened her mouth.
When I asked her WHY she hadn’t marked our son’s homework, she said it was “a very poor effort” compared to previous weeks, and she didn’t feel it was an accurate representation of what he could do. I quickly let her know that, actually, it was the MOST accurate representation of what he could do, as for the first time he’d had NO parental help.
When I mentioned my concerns about the heavy homework load, and questioned the need for it, her response was a classic. “At least they all get better jobs when they finish school”. What the!!! At that point I just wanted to get my kid through Year 5, thanks very much, never mind finishing school and getting a “better” job!
We did end up moving the kids to another school, but that’s a whole ‘nother story …
I’m aware my views might not be popular, but there is no doubt the hubster and I are mightily relieved our kids have now finished school, and our homework nightmares are all in the past!
What do you think – homework – yay or nay?!