The Great Homework Debate

I think you have some great thoughts, Kim. I have on occasion assigned a packet, but I like the idea of doing it regularly and don't know why I've never thought about it! As a mom of two busy sons who are active in all sorts of activities, I agree that homework can be a real drag on them. I know it is necessary at times, but I like the idea of the flexibility that would be offered with weekly packets. As far as those not turning their assignments in on time, I struggle with some students not turning their daily assignments in anyway. You're right - there are definitely no easy answers here.

Kim, I like how you differentiate each packet for each child and I think the amount sounds age appropriate for second graders. One thing that I really appreciate is the flexibility of weekly packets especially if your students are busy and involved in extracurricular activities. However, it can create problems when students procrastinate until Thursday night and then try and attempt the homework. Then you become the bad guy (either to the students or to the students and the parents). How do you get your point across that it is up to them to budget their time appropriately in order to complete the packet and turn it in ontime? As Donnetta said, there really are no easy answers when it comes to homework issues.

Hello Everyone,

I have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments about homework and it is and issue that we all seem to struggle with. My first year teaching there was a lot of pressure to give the students homework packets for the week. I really didn't enjoy them but I complied with the accepted norm. It was challenging to collect, score and keep track of the students’ homework packets and I found that my top level students would complete them and the lower level students rarely if at all did. This demonstrated to me that those students who could do the work would and those students that struggled wouldn't and then they would start feeling worse and dejected because I had to get on them all them time for not having the packet down.

After that first year I had the opportunity to open a new elementary school and we operate on a PLC format and have grade level as well as school-wide collaboration. We had the opportunity to discuss and determine and document our homework policy as a grade level and then come together school wide to evaluate and discuss our polices. In our 5th grade we determined that we were opposed to giving students homework packets, because all they tend to be is busywork. Our policy is that students should read at least 30 min. a night and then complete assigned homework. Our math curriculum as one or two pages of homework/extension/review material a night. Then it might depend on what other assignments that students need extra time to complete.

I really enjoy this format for homework. In my professional opinion it really should really come down to the questions: What is my purpose for assigning the homework? Are these skills that I have taught? Can most students complete the work with understanding? What happens if they don't complete it? What help can they expect to get at home?

I also think it is valuable to make a decision on homework as grade level and school-wide.

Hi Kim,
It sounds to me that your homework is reasonable. I teach a multiple subject 6th grade class at the elementary level. I give homework Monday through Thursday evenings. They have a spelling contract that is given to them at the beginning of the week and is due on Friday. They also are required to read for 20 minutes and write a short response about what they read with parent signature. They also have a math practice worksheet. Occasionally I will give them a social studies report to do, but I give several days to complete it along with having time in class to work on it. So far, I haven't had any parent complaints about giving too much homework.

Hi Everyone,

As a seventh grade science teacher, I've read many of your comments and have to admit that I don't really assign homework. The completion of homework in our district appears to be an issue. In years past I would be lucky if 30% of my students did their homework. Most of my students get homework in language arts and math, they look at science as secondary, as does our district.

What I do is assign quarterly assignment that need to be completed at home. At the beginning of the marking period the students are given their assignment, directions, timeline and due date. As the marking period goes on I remind them the due date is approaching and where they should be on their assignment. When the assignemnt is due, they will usually have to hand in a paper, posterboard and some type of presentation. The presentations can be live, video or you tube. This has seemed to work for me and the children enjoy it.

In my second grade class I too give a homework packet on Monday that is due on Thursday (we are a 4-day school). I include one day each of spelling practice, math, reading fluency, and 15 minutes of reading every night. I have a cover sheet that the parents have to sign saying that they have reviewed their students work. I don't really grade down for late work or missing signatures (but they don't know this). I just want the parents and students to get used to the idea of nightly homework now, while they are still young, and the price is less expensive. Any practice for the students is beneficial to their success. When I ask for the missing or late work, I always have it by the next Monday. Sometimes they just need that weekend to get it done.

Hi fellow Walden colleagues. In our district, they ask teachers to give 10 minutes of homework per grade level. I teach 4th grade so I give one math and reading sheet, followed by a reading log and spelling log. Their reading log is different throughout the week along with spelling. I believe homework should be a review of the weekly skills covered. I don't like to give packets in 3rd or 4th grade because often times, students will try and complete the packet before certain skills have been taught.

You're right that there are no easy answers as far as homework goes. I have parents complain either way--not enough or too much. As an 8th grade English teacher, I assign 30 minutes worth of independent reading Monday through Friday, but I have cut back on assigning much more than that. It is a struggle to get most of my students to even turn in assignments, much less complete quality work that has value.
I like your idea about giving suggestions for websites or workbooks for parents who feel their kids should be doing homework.

By the way, I have my students read independently and fill out a reading log, but does anyone have any suggestions as to how to better monitor their reading?

This is a classic problem that I feel every teacher has. You can't always please everyone. In first grade my students bring home a book at their level each night and 1 math sheet with about 5-6 questions on it. I do feel students need homework at this grade, but no more than 15 minutes worth. The homework should be practice of what was learned, nothing too confusing. I do have parents that want more or more challenging work in math. For these students, I will send home a challenge packet on each Monday. The challenge packets have similar concepts but with more higher level thinking.

Hello Walden University Group,

I teach 9th grade history. I am trying to create a sense of self motivation within my students. I assign daily readings, in which students are supposed to read and write a summary. The summary is not turned in on a daily basis, but sometimes I do check notebooks to make sure they are keeping up with them. In addition to this I will assign 2 or 3 actual homework assignments per week. The students never know whether the assignment will be graded based on correctness, or just completion. I feel this approach keeps most students on task, but some students still refuse to do any outside work.