Gaithersburg ES Abolishes Homework
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Anonymous
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http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/19477877/gaithersburg-elementary-school-abolishes-homework?obref=obinsite
GAITHERSBURG, Md. - Gaithersburg Elementary School has abolished homework. Instead, students are being asked to read a book for about 30 minutes a night. When Stephanie Brant came aboard as principal two years ago, she and her staff conducted a review of homework assignments. "We really started evaluating the work that we sent students home with," explained Principal Brant. "We started looking, and really, it was a lot of worksheets. And the worksheets didn't match what we were doing instructionally in the classroom. It was just: we were giving students something because we felt we had to give them something." So, Brant got permission from the school district to implement a radical experiment: the only homework assigned here is reading. |
Anonymous
| Good for them! My kids are in elementary school and the majority of their homework is busy work. It has limited value or purpose. |
Anonymous
| I think this is a great idea! |
Anonymous
| They did this last year. Great idea. |
Anonymous
| Awesome! I hope more schools will follow this trend. |
Anonymous
| Hmm, I have mixed feelings about homework in elementary school. I was shocked when my Kindergartener came home with a worksheet for homework. He gets maybe 3 worksheets a week home for homework. I don't mind because it is fast and doesn't involve me helping. We sit and talk when he is done. He does them almost immediately upon coming home, which I hope establishes a routine for the future. I remember having homework in 4-6 grade in elementary. The homework really hit in junior high. |
Anonymous
| Bad idea. They will fall behind in math without the extra practice. |
Anonymous
| What about math? Science projects? |
Anonymous
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What about weekly spelling words and spelling tests? I remember these every year in Elementary at least from about 2nd grade or so.
Can't imagine not doing spelling and math practice! |
Anonymous
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I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I don't think a small amount of work at home is a bad thing, as long as it's for a reason. It also helps me (as a parent) know exactly what they're working on in school. Plus, what kid doesn't need some extra practice! I guess I could do worksheets or supplement on my own, but it's nice to have the guidance from the teacher. |
Anonymous
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I am so appalled by your responses. What lazy parenting!
My daughter is in third grade at a private school. Each week, we get a daily breakdown of homework. Guess who will have the advantage as an adult? It sickens me. Here is an elementary school with 78% FARMs and 42% ESOL run by a leader who lowers expectations for those already at a disadvantage. And THIS is a good idea? My daughter's not suffering over homework. She's practicing concepts learned in school. How can you learn math if you don't practice? Do you think writing well just magically happens? so disturbing on so many levels |
Anonymous
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I also wonder about developing good work habits. But busywork worksheets are mostly bogus. What they *could* do is come up with creative alternatives for the kids to do at home, such as projects incorporating the information and skills they're learning at school.
I do like the move to get outside the box and out of the rut of mindless worksheets, but there must be a better alternative. |
Anonymous
Sorry, there have been studies done which show homework in elementary school has little to no value. At that age it is more important for them to be playing and exploring. |
Anonymous
| My kid goes to a private school that doesn't start homework until 3rd or 4th grade. And homework is designed to show teachers what concepts the child is struggling with. Kindergarten worksheets aren't helping your child reinforce math concepts--they are busy work designed to get kids comfortable with test taking. |
Anonymous
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What does FARMs stand for?
(I'm new to the US) |