Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Homework
As a school, we are working on implementing a schoolwide home reading log as well as weekly fluency passages. We all agree that we need to encourage students to read daily and hold them accountable for reading assignments and written homework. I think it is important that homework be meaningful and reinforce what the teachers has covered during the school day. Since families are very busy during this day and age, we as educators need to evaluate the type and amount of homework assigned. It is crucial that parents know that homework and reading logs are evaluated by the teacher. We can't forget to regularly send ARMT type math practice problems home as well. This will allow parents to see the format of the state assessment. Please share your thoughts regarding homework: subject area, length and time requirements, and how you hold students accountable for doing homework.
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I rarely take homework as a grade. I will probably give a small weekly reward to students who return homework each day. Maybe I'll keep track of it on a chart. I'll have to keep thinking about it and work out the kinks!
ReplyDeleteI think homework is essential to learning skills that were taught at school. It should not be only work that was not completed during the day. Homework should be a reinforcement of skills taught. Maybe we should think of some accountability for homework such as some kind of participation grade for the 9 weeks.
ReplyDeleteI try to assign at least one subject a night in homework each week with the exceptions of Wednesdays and weekends. I do not grade the homework, but I do have a checklist with each student's name and I check off whether or not the homework was completed for that night. At the end of the nine weeks, I give one overall homework grade in each subject (pretty much just a homework participation grade). Right now my thoughts for the reading log are to give a weekly homework grade in English for completing the log every Monday-Thursday night. (25 points per night for a total of 100 for the week) Any other thoughts/ideas are appreciated!
ReplyDeleteTime at home is truly limited. Reading logs are top priority. I give additional practice work on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights. It would include math, language or spelling.
ReplyDeleteI give math homework Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday night. I check to make sure the students have completed the work. If they have they get to keep their 100% average in homework. If not I take 10 pts. off each time they have not completed an assignment. This is a 100 point grade but only graded for completion. It is amazing how many students will not complete their homework. I stress that this is an "easy" way to make an A and still I have some that just don't want to do the work.
ReplyDeleteI had better success with reading logs and fluency folders when I "graded them." The weekly grades were averaged and equaled one participation grade for the 9 weeks. This seemed to work well.
ReplyDeleteMy homework assignments and grades are done like Mrs. McDaniel's. However, I am considering including more math homework in order to improve my students' math benchmark scores.
ReplyDeleteI do give homework occasionally. I avoid giving it on Wednesdays and weekends. As a parent, we attend church on Wednesday night that takes a good 1 1/2 hours of our time at night as do many of my own students. I give math only 3 times per week if necessary on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I try to not give more than 10 problems. The homework is usually a 10 point grade in math. If they do it, they get the 10 points.
ReplyDeleteAs a new parent of an older student, I have now had an "eye-opening" experience when it comes to homework. When students have math homework, spelling words to study, reading every night, and fluency practice, that takes a good hour to complete. (Of course, that depends on the speed of the child in completing the work). Then, add to that any extra science or social studies homework or some sort of test to study for or a project to work on and you've got yourself a good 2 or 3 hours of work to do.
I feel it is important for students to do SOME homework, but we must keep in mind that students should have "time" to be a kid too. Also, many students attend or participate in after-school activities that are just as important as school work. Many of those activities allow them to learn about teamwork which is an important skill for them as well.
I guess I'm saying that homework is important, but it is not the only thing our children should have time for when they get home from school. There should be some spare time there for them to rest and/or play and time for them to go to bed at a decent hour so they can come rested to school, ready to learn.
I agree with Mrs. Newsome we should only require home assignments that are critical and worthwhile. It is crucial that parents are involved and informed regarding their child's education and academic progress. It is our job as educators to educate parents as well as students. Homework is always a hot topic with parents. Many parents are willing to do what ever we ask to help make their child successful. We want to maintain a positive relationship with parents and seem appreciative of their assistance at home. Therefore, we must be reasonable, courteous, and set realistic limits. Many parents work until five and only have three hours to spend with their child before bedtime. Many parents make the following comments, "I send my child to school to learn and work during the school day. What are they doing during the day? If I wanted to home school I would." I realize this is not accurate but sometimes we, as educators must step into the shoes of many of our parents with multiple children.
ReplyDeleteI think that homework is only helping a student in the end. Of course, it should be limited to only things that are being taught in class. I have heard a comment that educators get paid to teach, not the parents. However, I feel that it is everyone's "job." There is no possible way for a teacher to teach and get through to 20-25 different children without the help from home. As far as writing the spelling words, I still feel this is a good idea. From personal experience, I know that it helps you learn things when you write them down. I do like the idea of having a pretest on Mondays though. That would eliminate a lot of the spelling homework for some...Just some things to think about for next year.
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