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| photo credit: ** RCB ** via photopincc |
At this point in the year, your child's routines both in and out of school, should be starting to fall in place. Granted, there may be some tweaking necessary, many of us are beginning to notice certain patterns. At my house, we've realized that the success of our morning routine is dependent on what happens the previous evening. If the coffee maker is programmed, the snacks and water bottles are lined up on the counter, and the boys' clothes are laid out, my wife and I are less stressed in the morning, as are my boys. Unfortunately, even the best plans can be derailed by unforeseen circumstances, or when everyone is not on top of their game at six in the morning. One thing we've realized, though, is that routines are an important part of functioning efficiently and staying prepared.
Homework is one of those routines of which you and your child are intimately familiar. For a few lucky parents, getting their kids to study has never been an issue. For others, it has been a constant, stressful battle that ends with arguments and tears. My second-grade son started receiving homework last year, and while he doesn't mind parts of it, he absolutely hates others. The frustration that can arise from getting our children to complete their homework thoughtfully, neatly, and on time sometimes begs the question: Is homework beneficial?
On Saturday, I took the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other educators from the region by attending an EdCamp in Palatine, Illinois. The beauty of EdCamp is in that way that it's organized - there is no preset agenda. Instead, it is determined by the attendees, in the moment. At one point in the day, I met with a group of educators who wanted to discuss the validity of homework. Those involved in the conversation were evenly split regarding its necessity. Some believed that it provided additional and necessary practice, while others thought it to be nothing more than busy work. One teacher pointed out that homework teaches valuable life skills, like responsibility and grit. Another claimed that kids already had too much to do after school with things like sports, instrument lessons, and chores filling an evening. In the end, it was difficult to reach an agreement other than to say that homework should be reasonable and meaningful.
By the end of the week, you can expect to see regular homework from me. Typically, it will be reading in order to be prepared for class the next day. Occasionally, it will be work that was not finished in class. Still, I'm curious. What are your thoughts about homework? Feel free to share your comments.
Homework is one of those routines of which you and your child are intimately familiar. For a few lucky parents, getting their kids to study has never been an issue. For others, it has been a constant, stressful battle that ends with arguments and tears. My second-grade son started receiving homework last year, and while he doesn't mind parts of it, he absolutely hates others. The frustration that can arise from getting our children to complete their homework thoughtfully, neatly, and on time sometimes begs the question: Is homework beneficial?
On Saturday, I took the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other educators from the region by attending an EdCamp in Palatine, Illinois. The beauty of EdCamp is in that way that it's organized - there is no preset agenda. Instead, it is determined by the attendees, in the moment. At one point in the day, I met with a group of educators who wanted to discuss the validity of homework. Those involved in the conversation were evenly split regarding its necessity. Some believed that it provided additional and necessary practice, while others thought it to be nothing more than busy work. One teacher pointed out that homework teaches valuable life skills, like responsibility and grit. Another claimed that kids already had too much to do after school with things like sports, instrument lessons, and chores filling an evening. In the end, it was difficult to reach an agreement other than to say that homework should be reasonable and meaningful.
By the end of the week, you can expect to see regular homework from me. Typically, it will be reading in order to be prepared for class the next day. Occasionally, it will be work that was not finished in class. Still, I'm curious. What are your thoughts about homework? Feel free to share your comments.
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