Homework
The other week, I once again spent some time with my sons classroom talking about composting. I took time to collect the homework I had assigned them, and read it out loud in hopes to get a small discussion going. Upon reading through the work I was met with mixed feelings. While the the overall look of the homework ran from basic to something I would probably write, which of the two, the later scares me. I quickly became aware that something was happening, of which in my book have no productive value. First thing I became aware of was that some of the parents were pretty much dictating the homework to the kids. A quick sample sentence I encountered went something to the effect of “On the first three days there were no changes, but on days 4,5,and 6 the piece of fruit became soft and mushy to touch”. Don’t get me wrong, while this sounds great, I honestly don’t think that an average second grader would describe an apple in a plastic bag this way. (If I’m wrong please some one out there correct me). This followed by words that I read, that, when I asked the author of one of the papers, I was given a wide eyed looked as, why would I know that word.
This post is to tell parents my perception of homework, and why I personally choose, and gave the work I did. This is a second career choice for me and in my first career, retail management, I’ve been tasked with solving all sorts of issues, whether it be increasing productivity or cutting payroll or maximizing scheduling hours for buisness needs. As with any issue that may arise one must have a clear idea of what the hell is going on. If you don’t, you end up causing more harm than good.
To me, homework is the eqivilent of using any of the assements tools one would find in retail, things like looking at dollar made vs hours paid, or looking at traffic patterns and sales paterns. Which are used when trying to find ways to not just how to cut payroll, but making sure one is properly staffed. The homework I gave was rather simple in my eyes, and I felt that it would require some small guiding assistance from the parents, which was my intentions. The assignment was as followed:
1. Get a piece of fruit or vegatable and place in a ziplock bag
2. Write one sentence saying what fruit or vegetable you choose.
3. Write a sentence stating whether the fruit or vegtable belong to green or brown category
4. Over the course of the next week write at least 5 more sentences discribing what was happening inside the bag.
So over the course of one week they would write seven sentences total, of which two I gave already.
I also gave them a list of words, and phrases, that they could use to help come up with some sentences. My thoughts were, I’d be able to come up with something more tailored for them after reviewing there homework. After seeing how descriptive there parents, are I am still unaware of what kind of work to give the children, but on the flip side I know what to give the parents. In simple terms I can not honestly gauge what the children are capable of doing, or how to help those who may need assistance. In my book homework is to me a test. While it may not be the year end test, I do feel it is another tool educators have in assisting our children. So parents when you do your childs work you are short changing your child, you are making the job of our EDUCATORS that much more difficult. Parents think of this way, you go to doctors office with a lower back pains, and upon the doctor asking you how have you been feeling, you respond, fine! Do you think the doctor is going to refer you to see a chiropactor for your back or give you some medicine, Nope. So don’t send your children to school with your words in thier books.
So my question to the educators is, how do you handle this issue, or do you consider this to not be an issue at all? Do you speak to the parents to stress the importance of the child doing the work? Do you offer them guidance on more effective ways to help their children with their school work? And last is this even an issue worth discussing?
And my question to the parents, how do you go about guiding your child when helping them with their homework? Have you ever found yourself just giving your child the answer? Have you ever discussed the homework with the Educator?
I do agree with your view on homework vs parents vs kids! Most parents believe that in modelling their childrens homework it helps them get a better average in school rather than seeing that it sets them at a disadvantage! Education is build on a foundation, meaning one must be able to analyze and explain given topics in order to properly build strong. understanding, Without this what you end up getting is students who are used to not able to comprehend, reproduce and reconstruct ideas. Educator/teachers really need to emphasize the importance of parents actions when it comes to developing the childs learning ability by means of homework or whatever student activity the kids has to do.
Matthew,
First off, kudos to you for being such an involved dad. Your SLMB is lucky, indeed.
I think this question is begging to be asked across America. Not only are parents shortchanging their children when they do their homework, they are robbing their children of the opportunity to LEARN and think critically, as I believe you mentioned.
Even worse, I think, is the message that parents send to their children when they step in an complete their work….”I don’t think you can handle this…let me take care of it for you.” or…”I’m so sick of arguing with you about the homework, that I’ll just do it for you so I can have some peace.” Either way, the kid loses out…on a lot more than meets the eye.
I think teachers should make it clear at the beginning of the year…”The homework is for your CHILD, not you! You may help, but don’t handicap your child by DOING it!”
Thanks for covering this imoportant topic.
Since you’re a dad that cares, I hope you’ll join our facebook community at http://www.facebook.com/kidlutions . We’d love to have your voice there, too!
My kids feel shortchanged b/c they know that some of their friend’s parents do the homework for them. I always tell my kids, “I went to school for a long time. I’ve done plenty of homework in my day. I love you too much to do it for you. Ask me if you need a little help, but it’s YOUR homework!”
Cheers to you~
Wendy
Thanks, and glad you enjoyed my post. I will be checking out your fb community when I get a chance.
Thanks for your thoughts on homework. I think this is a trending problem, especially in diverse areas. First of all, homework gives students an opportunity to extend their learning beyond the hours of the school day, so that is a good thing. Students that receive support from home when completing homework are more likely to experience success and maintain positive school attitudes. However, students need to retain ownership over their homework. If parental help extends TOO far, then students are not invested in the process. We need to make sure that parents know that homework will NOT be graded for accuracy. It will only be graded for completeness. This encourages parents to support the process in an appropriate manner.
Thanks Kristen for stopping by. I think that with time constraints in todays, day to day life parents are stuck with the issue of giving the most amount of help with the smallest amount of time available, leading to frustration at times. I think teachers need to ensure that parents are aware of the general purpose of homework, and the lasting effects of when parents cross the line of assisting to essentially dictating to their child homework. As a parent I always feel pressed for time, but I am also aware that Educators are also pressed for time as well and unless their is an understanding between parent and educator that both parties end up working against each other. TIP: for parents, if you feel that there is an issue with homework either being to complicated or even to easy, a note to the educator is your best option. It helps let the educator know that you are not only aware of your child’s homework but have concerns that both parties can work to resolve together.
It is the challenge of all educators to get students to think for themselves, to provide them with tools to become effective communicators and problem solvers. As long as parents are holding their hand and hovering (helicopter parents) then students will have an increasingly difficult time growing to become independent.
I like the “helicopter parents” phrase, but what I saw in my sons classroom was, that while the teacher agreed with me that parents were doing the homework all she followed up with was a shrug. I ended taking it upon myself to have a small discussion with the class about homework. I told them how important it was for them to do it themselves and that how it should always be in there words. While children writing does not revival an adults, there observational skills are off the charts. So when parents put there input one doesn’t really get to see everything children know.