What happens in MCPS (and others) if your child does not do the homework,

[Anonymous]

Since it is only 10% of the grade in MCPS and your child tests superbly in school I don't understand the issue here. Can't you or your son make the simple calculation of whether you do the homework or not? Not rocket science for a bright 4th grader. If he or she didn't do the homework on any night during the school year he'll still get an A ... if that's your only goal here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree, 11:49. It gives a teacher information about whether or not a student is retaining the information at home, in a different setting. Some students understand a new concept in class, then get home and struggle a bit. Letting the teacher know that a student struggled (if you worked with them or corrected their work with them) or leaving the homework as is and letting the teacher see for him/herself is important information. Similarly, if a child is taking longer than the expected time frame to complete the homework, maybe they are having too much difficulty.

http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/edweek/homework.htm

[Anonymous]

If the child aces the unit tests and exams, as is claimed by the poster, if he did not do a lick of homework (not likely) a 10 percent deduction would not be a stiff penalty. The child still gets the A. But, both premises are likely untrue in this case. Moral: Better do your homework.

[Anonymous]

I wonder why academic homework carries such a perjorative note but the more athletic homework ... the better?

Are mind and body so distinct?

[Anonymous]

Another question: Why do parents feel obssessed about piling athletic homework early on a child but want to get by on the bare minimum for academic homework?

[Anonymous]

Why do you assume that parents who don't want their children to do too much homework are the same parents who want their children to overload on sports?

[Anonymous]

What the PP said can be true of athletics, music, clubs, etc.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your responses.

[Anonymous]

Physical fitness is very very important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since it is only 10% of the grade in MCPS and your child tests superbly in school I don't understand the issue here. Can't you or your son make the simple calculation of whether you do the homework or not? Not rocket science for a bright 4th grader. If he or she didn't do the homework on any night during the school year he'll still get an A ... if that's your only goal here.

Where does the 10% come from. Is that the maximum?
Also, if the child does half of the homework, that is 5% right there.

[Anonymous]

What about mental fitness?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:4th grade should be 40 minutes of homework. If that's too much, you guys should work on time management. I understand that some nights it can take longer, but in general, a student should be able to get the homework done and still have time for activities, dinner, a shower, etc.

I see it as a life lesson. It is very important to have a well-rounded child, but also to learn about priorities. A child's "job" is going to school. They need to be able to complete their work before enjoying outside activities. I can't imagine what my boss would say if I didn't get a project done because of my golf lessons. Some will see this as completely different, but I see it as preparing a child for the future.

I agree with this. My children likewise have outside activities (music, swimming, soccer, church commitments) and yet they manage to get homework done, without feeling overwhelmed - they have ample free time as well.

OP, you say "I want my kids to have fun outside of school. I see that homework load as a potential problem. Of course I would work with him in areas if he has difficulty, but if he wants to swim and play music and does well in school with minimal effort, what is the problem?"

The problem is this: Homework is required. It is part of what he needs to do as part of his class requirements. As a student, he needs to do the work, no matter how "minimal" his "effort" may be to get excellent grades.

If you have that much of an issue with what is required, then keep your son in a place where homework is not required. Don't enroll him in a program knowing that you will teach him to blow off his responsibilities - you won't be doing him any favors and will be setting him up for problems (not to mention, ticking off the teacher).

[Anonymous]

Maybe your child would be best served in the homeschool setting. Then you make up your own academic requirements.

[Anonymous]

Excellent option

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder why academic homework carries such a perjorative note but the more athletic homework ... the better?

Are mind and body so distinct?

The problem is there is no solid evidence that academic homework (for younger students) actually helps them learn. And there's evidence that it can actually be detrimental. So why engage in it? Because we've done it for 100 years?