This past week was our first week back from Christmas Break and I noticed that some teachers assigned pretty serious work during the time off. I wonder if that simply sets students up for failure. We all know that the majority of our students (99.9% of them) won’t do the assigned work until the last night before returning. Some of them will forget completely. I’d say a large number would fall into that last category and simply not do the work at all. This is the same reason that I try really hard not to assign work over the weekend. In the spirit of trying to maintain connections between my two worlds of teaching and Web design, I’ll point out that Cameron Moll points out the same idea. Look at “4: Avoid Monday Deadlines.” It’s just too easy to not do the work when there’s no daily reminder and when there’s a natural desire to take some time off during a weekend.
Homework?
And is there a pedagogical reason we are giving the work or is it assigned because it is expected and it feels like the right thing to do? If the work isn’t completed, will the student really be at a loss? If the work is completed, will the student actually be better prepared for the rest of the course? I know that I assign work from time to time simply because I feel like I haven’t given homework in a while and I should. But I fight that urge every time it creeps up and I cringe every time I realize I’ve already done it (UPDATE: An online homework survey will provide some good data for an upcoming book on homework; it doesn’t take long to fill out).
I’m curious if we (teachers) assign work too often. What we’ve found at our school is that students are failing because they don’t do homework. Perhaps if there was less homework, more students would achieve academically. Should that be the reason that students don’t get the credits for a class, because they haven’t done work outside of class? Shouldn’t the credits go to a student if he or she has the skills the course requires? If we’re finding that homework is a huge reason for failure, if we’re finding that the current paradigm of homework isn’t working for a majority of our students, don’t we have an obligation to address that and seriously examine our homework policy?
On occassion over the years, parents have asked me why there hasn’t been any homework for the last 2 or 3 weeks. Going through the credential program at SJSU, I recall hearing from some teachers about a school homework policy that dictates the number of nights homework is required, with some schools going as far as requiring homework every night. To some, assigning homework means that you are a good teacher. Should teachers be considered less adept at what they do simply because they don’t assign homework as often as required? What if the lesson for the day doesn’t necessitate homework? What if there simply is no reason to assign work for the night?
During Break?
Certainly, special circumstances may require some students to complete work during vacations. Maybe they are in an AP course and need to complete the work to prepare for the exam, have missing work to make up, are failing, are doing extra credit, need to polish their skills - there are several reasons why work should occasionally be expected during days off. But for most students, for the majority of the kids we teach, maybe vacations or breaks should be exactly that: time off from school, time to relax and pursue other interests.
I Didn’t Do It
I don’t know about you, but I didn’t do a single bit of school work until the day before we went back. That work I did, about four-hours’ worth, got me all set up from now until the end of semester and even a bit of the beginning of semester two. How did you do? Did you get everything done that you wanted to? Did you grade all those papers? Were they ready to be returned on Tuesday morning upon the resuming of school? I only know one teacher who reached that lofty goal. And I know a lot of teachers.
So if we, as professionals, can’t seem to consistently get the work done that we want/need to achieve, how can we possibly expect our students to do so? But really, all of this gets at a much larger issue.
Do As I Say…
Do we, as teachers, regularly expect more out of our students than we are able to give? Because of the fact that I didn’t do a shred of work during the Christmas Break, I returned feeling like I actually had time off from work and I have been more excited about things, ready to take on the rest of the year. I wish my students felt the way I do and maybe having a 2-week break without work would help make that happen.
When was the last time you completed something you assigned to your students? Every time I assign an essay, I keep telling myself that I should try to complete it at the same time my students are working on it. This is something that I’ve done before (about 2 years ago, I wrote the beginning of most of the essays I assigned to my students that year), but I certainly don’t do it every year.
So if we expect our students to complete large amounts of work during a break (a 30-page packet, read an entire novel, complete a research paper), shouldn’t we have the same expectations for ourselves?
21 comments
2. Malcolm Kirkpatrick says:
I stopped assigning homework for two reasons:
1) Since I didn’t know who did it, I couldn’t fairly grade it.
2) If you work out 45min/day, you’ll get pretty fit. 45 minutes on Math at the level of Alg II or below is plenty if you don’t waste it.
I don’t condemn homework, but it has to be optional and given as recreation, as candy, for people who want it, not as an obligation.
These comments may not apply to English classes or History classes, where assigned reading will occupy students out of class. Even then it’s improper to grade work done out of class. If you don’t know who did it, you shouldn’t grade it.
3. Todd says:
Ben, I suspect that students who do homework perform better on tests because the type of student who would complete homework is one that cares a bit more about academics. I don’t think it’s because of the completed homework that the student performs better, merely that student’s attitude toward school.
Actually, Malcom, I was thinking specifically of English classes when I wrote the entry. The nightly assigned reading is as often not done as any other assignment. “If you don’t know who did it, you shouldn’t grade it.” Hmmm… That would mean that anything done by a student outside our classroom shouldn’t be graded. I’m not sure I agree with that. I think at some point you have to trust the student. Essay and story writing immediately come to my mind with this. Not all students can write during class; some students don’t feel inspired in the classroom and work better late at night or with music on.
4. Debbie says:
You know, I got back and forth on this topic. Last year, I gave a lot of homework (mostly reading and answering two questions per chapter) outside of class, and few students did it. The second semester, I gave almost no homework and did a lot of in-class work.
This year, I’m giving a lot of different homework. Most nights, my students have some kind of homework, but it’s only 10 sentences to label or 5 words to define or something like that. Plus, in most cases, I give them ample time in class to complete or almost complete it.
It’s getting better. However, I don’t take work home. I do no grading or planning at home because I know I won’t do it. I stay after school pretty late (you know this) doing that stuff. I do write essays or short stories with students, and I do write the keys for assignments the night that the students have them assigned.
But then, as you mentioned, I was one of those kids for whom education meant something. My dad never graduated from college, although he worked in the corporate world for good money, and my mom never used her teaching degree beyond student teaching, and became a SAHM soon after she graduated. I knew from age four that I wanted to be a teacher and that I would be in schools forever. However, I never did my homework at home in high school! I had computer games to program (on the C64) and movies to watch and books to read and people to call and naps to take and IRC to distract me. I did my homework the period before it was due almost exclusively, if I did it at all. I am walking testament that even the kids who care about school can successfully dodge the homework bullet.
6. Ben says:
Um…thanks Ashley? Care to elaborate on why it sucks? :)
Todd, you have a great point about a student’s attitude affecting their test scores. As far as elementary school and middle school go, homework could very well be an option. However, at the High School level I think that homework is a necessary evil in order to help prepare the students for college. My homework and time management skills were severly lacking when I entered college and my first semester grades reflected that. In an environment when almost all work is done outside of lectures and class (including reading and research), there has to be a point at which homework is expected before entering the college setting.
7. sumone says:
i think having hm at weekend is ridiculous
because its the only time that student can actually spend time with the family …hang out with friends
and care about their other life activities…
no teacher likes to work on weekend why do they want us to do so!!???its so stupid
8. Jason Cox says:
students should not have home work at all yo retards!!!!!!!!!!!
10. Todd says:
Every time anyone leaves comments like these last ones, there’s reason to believe that more homework is needed, not less. These last two comments make you look lazy and uninformed. It’s the same as writing “I don’t want to work, daaaaaaaaaawg!” That’s ignorant and just makes you fit the stereotype of those students who don’t complete their homework.
Articulate your ideas at least as well as sumone did. If you aren’t going to explain, don’t waste my time (or yours).
11. locke says:
http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/061017homework2.html
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/061012homework.html
The current norm in today’s schools is to assign homework in every class, every night. The very rare exception is to not give out homework. The author of the two above stated sites, well-known Orson Scott Card, makes a few excellent points in his dual essays. The first is that no homework should be the default. Meaningless homework assignments are often handed out just to keep the kids busy. The exception is homework. The occasional essay comparing two types of authors, the history project where you make a timeline of the civil war. These are two examples of projects that are wholesome and encourage thinking and learning. The second major point is that kids need time to rest. Childhood is too precious to waste doing countless hours of homework. Kids need time to socialize and become involved in after-school extracurricular activities that help the child develop in every way, providing them with new learning experiences and enjoyable things. Enable them to develop their talents, not diminish them by countless hours of neglect as their attention is turned to school work and homework. Far too many family home discussions are centere around homework. The parent becomes the guard, and the child becomes the prisoner; unable to escape from the endless torment of meaningless homework assignments. There should not be any homework in our public schools today.
NOTE: Not every public school, or private, for that matter, fits the above description. Many schools have already realized this problem and thoughtfully adapted. But the overwhelming percentage of places of education does fit this description, far too well. We need to change this. And you can change it. I strongly encourage you to read the above links. Card makes fabulous points and defends them to perfection. Best of luck.
–Locke
12. anonymous says:
Homework has it’s ups and downs. It does help students get ready for testing and gives more practice. The down side is when a teacher (in the student’s view)gives homework during a break. For students they tend to forget and plus it’s vacation. Teachers do need a break with the students instead of grading papers all day. There should be a reasonable amount of homework overbreak. SOmething that isn’t too hard yet is simple enough.
13. sierra jenkins says:
I think homework is really dumn when you have to do it over the wekend and we don’t need homework anymore
!!!!!!!!111
14. Todd says:
Sierra, see comment #10. Seriously, you aren’t helping prove your case.
15. Student says:
Home work is annoying on weekends for those good students who actually get their work done. For those who don’t, it’s just anothe piece of paper they won’t make a mark on
16. Student says:
And another thing, i really don’t mind homework, as long as it truly is helping a students academic ability, and not just busy work. Most teacher understaqnd this but some don’t and as a result assign enough homework for two nights or more on the weekend. I am not stereotyping or ethnicly grouping anyone. All i am saying is that teachers are human, and so are students, and we all deserve a little time off.
17. High School Student says:
I’m not a fan of having homework/assignments given over breaks. After working extremely hard for the past few months, and exceptionally harder during the weeks leading up the the end of the semester, a two week break is something I feel people definitely deserve. I understand that there are summative projects that need to be completed, and I don’t mind spending a little bit of time on them. What bothers me is when teachers hand out extra work on top of other assignments that they know we’ll have to devote some time to.
I’m not exactly one to finish everything weeks ahead of its due date, and I have pulled a few all-nighters to get projects done, but with regards to work I have due after the holidays, I have been continuously working on it in order to complete it earlier. I was a little annoyed when, on the last day of school before the break, I was given yet another assignment that could have easily been assigned when we got back from break. Half of the students were not present, and I imagine very few of those who were present will a. finish it, or b. remember it.
As a student, I don’t exactly think it’s fair when students who have been giving their best have to continue working over break. I know that I will end up devoting a lot of time this break to making sure my work is the absolute best I can make it, just like I do during the rest of the school year. Other students who do not apply the same amount of effort during the course of the year will end up applying even less effort during break and they’re the ones who will end up getting the most time to do whatever they please, be it relaxing, or spending time with family/friends…
I understand that work outside of class is necessary in situations, and I do find most of it beneficial. But when it comes time for our “break,” that is what it should be, otherwise it should be called something else. If teachers choose to assign work just before the break, it will be the students that work the hardest and are most deserving of a break that will be spending their time off doing even more work. Therefore, I think that projects and essays should be completed and submitted before the break in order to alleviate stress and allow students to return to school refreshed and with a new, positive outlook towards course material.
18. Paul Phuoc says:
I don’t know about these high school students, but being in college, I miss assigned homeworks. No one is there to tell you to read this section or define these words because it’ll help on the test–it’s pretty darn hard to choose what to study for when a class requires the student to read the 800 page text in 10 weeks.
19. Sarah says:
To give a little bit of my share opinion on this subject. I can understand the both sides those that enjoy having homework during the weekends and those that does not. Both side prove very good points, I like something that high school student mentioned, it says i don’t believe all the people that perform well in shcool study none stop i totally agree with that, but there is a catch to that people like those you mention have either pictorial memories or they pay close attention in class, so they will not have to recepritate the information they once learned. I also agree with the comment that you made Todd about comments #9 it is really a waste of time. I have once learned that there are many different ways to learn and one of them is repetition. Like many of you says homework help some and does work much on others, it is just like female and male we see black and white meaning differently, Some came memorized and other can’t. My story is i grew up in a foreign country and finish my education in New York it is totally two different atmosphere, back home we learn to study and memorized and here you learn through pratice which is much much easier than what i first learned and get to adapt two both ways and they both helps in their own ways. In my opinion i believe a student should conversate more with their teachers or prof. to find a more adaptable way for them to learn faster. By the way love doing homework it improve your skills. The more you practice the more your skills become sharp
20. billy says:
I have a very strong opinion about this page i dont think it is good for kids because i dont like homework at all..
it makes me want to die
21. jean says:
i was doing an essay on ’should weekend homework be banned?’when i came to this website for reference..hmm..basically i think that homework is definitely important.but ofcourse it also depends on the amount and time given.Doing homework can help us to practice and get used to the questions easier. As for the time, if we could cope and organise our time well during our break, spending time with friends n families shouldn’t be a problem.
1. Ben says:
[1/9/2006 - 9:34 am]
I actually had the same thought about homework over break Todd. As I contemplated our new homework policy for the rest of the year (no late homework, period) I started to ponder as to how much homework I should give. While I didn’t come up with the homework policy (something the school does for middle schoolers), it is good to make students responsible for carrying on their leanring at home. However, I’ve found that the vast majority of homework is busy work that amounts to worksheets, reading quizzes, and take home tests. Throughout the first two marking periods I’ve tried to give homework in at least one of the three subjects I teach each night. While spelling homework is easy, a lot of my other homework was getting neglected, just as you said. Homework wasn’t getting done and grades suffered because of it. While I don’t actually remember any of my education classes talking about the efficacy of homework, or research that was presented on how homework reinforces the daily lesson, I have noticed one thing this year. Generally speaking, the students that do their homework perform better on tests. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been trying to shift away from the dittos and worksheets in favor of critical thinking homework questions and reflective essays.
I have noticed another trend though. Students that perform poorly academically tend to perform poorly on homework, no matter how much I give them. While students that do the homework have more exposure to the material and are generally better prepared for questions on vocabulary, students without the necessary thinking skills don’t seem to build them with homework. I’m anxious to start focusing on more higher order homework to combat this. As for the feeling of “Must give homework every night,” if I’ve managed to get across the learning objective and the students seems to understand it (using assessments or other evidence), then there’s no real reason for the homework other than building good work habits and practicing skills.