Gaithersburg ES Abolishes Homework

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

well your stupidity is sickening but whatever.

One of the main issues is those children are less likely to have an adult in the home to help them complete the homework or even be able to read and understand it. The extra homework doesn't benefit these kids in the long run in the elementary level.

I'm a teacher, and couldn't agree more. The research shows that in elem school, homework has essentially no value. With this population, parents are much less likely to be able to help their children with homework, and the students are more likely to have no opportunity to do their homework anyway (a homeless shelter feeds into this school). What parents CAN do is read with their kids for 30 minutes, and if they can't, the students have access to age-appropriate literature in the school media center and can read their library books at home.

My kids aren't in school yet, but I'm seriously considering being that crazy parent that sends in a note at the beginning of the year, saying that we will be "opting out" of homework. In middle and high school, sure, it's expected and important for study habits. But five-year-olds should be playing after school, not doing worksheets. I applaud this principal's brave decision.

You're one shitty teacher then, and I say that AS a teacher. You do realize that the principal has no faith in WHAT'S being sent home, right? (Hopefully, you do.) Furthermore, she's too lazy to train her staff (or to have someone train her staff) on alternative assessments. You don't have to complete a worksheet to demonstrate knowledge of characterization. A picture at the elementary level - even at the secondary level - works just as well.

As a high school teacher who taught Spoon River for quite a few years, anyone familiar with it would appreciate my assignment where I asked students to draw a dinner party where five characters were invited. Who's the host? What's the theme? WHY were these characters invited?

Kids can demonstrate mastery of simple math facts through drawing, too. Show 7-3 by using fruit. So a kid can draw 7 apples. And then suddenly a fawn comes along and eats three. huh - How many are left?

There are AMAZING ways to show mastery of concepts.

I'm guessing you think these assignments are foolish, too?

But sadly, as a teacher, you can't seem to think outside the box and are no smarter than the teachers at Gaithersburg ES who have been stripped of their ability to give homework. yes, STRIPPED!

Thanks for making the rest of us look like idiots, btw. You seem like a real winner in the classroom and at home as a parent.

You seem to have a lot of aggression. Assessments are not homework, though. The "purpose" of homework is to practice, not demonstrate mastery. And my opinion on homework was geared towards elementary school, not high school.

I'm not going to address the rest of your comment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

well your stupidity is sickening but whatever.

One of the main issues is those children are less likely to have an adult in the home to help them complete the homework or even be able to read and understand it. The extra homework doesn't benefit these kids in the long run in the elementary level.

I'm a teacher, and couldn't agree more. The research shows that in elem school, homework has essentially no value. With this population, parents are much less likely to be able to help their children with homework, and the students are more likely to have no opportunity to do their homework anyway (a homeless shelter feeds into this school). What parents CAN do is read with their kids for 30 minutes, and if they can't, the students have access to age-appropriate literature in the school media center and can read their library books at home.

My kids aren't in school yet, but I'm seriously considering being that crazy parent that sends in a note at the beginning of the year, saying that we will be "opting out" of homework. In middle and high school, sure, it's expected and important for study habits. But five-year-olds should be playing after school, not doing worksheets. I applaud this principal's brave decision.

There are no parents to help with homework but they can help read? I don't think your reasoning here makes much sense. If they can't help do homework, what would make you believe they can help a child read?

What I get out of this is that the school has no confidence in the teachers to send home appropriate homework or in the kids to complete it at home.

Nice.

Missed this comment above when I replied to the other one. Parents, babysitters or siblings can help students read, or listen to them read, or read with them in their own language. Understanding directions in English is different from reading a children's book. That was my reasoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

well your stupidity is sickening but whatever.

One of the main issues is those children are less likely to have an adult in the home to help them complete the homework or even be able to read and understand it. The extra homework doesn't benefit these kids in the long run in the elementary level.

I'm a teacher, and couldn't agree more. The research shows that in elem school, homework has essentially no value. With this population, parents are much less likely to be able to help their children with homework, and the students are more likely to have no opportunity to do their homework anyway (a homeless shelter feeds into this school). What parents CAN do is read with their kids for 30 minutes, and if they can't, the students have access to age-appropriate literature in the school media center and can read their library books at home.

My kids aren't in school yet, but I'm seriously considering being that crazy parent that sends in a note at the beginning of the year, saying that we will be "opting out" of homework. In middle and high school, sure, it's expected and important for study habits. But five-year-olds should be playing after school, not doing worksheets. I applaud this principal's brave decision.

You're one shitty teacher then, and I say that AS a teacher. You do realize that the principal has no faith in WHAT'S being sent home, right? (Hopefully, you do.) Furthermore, she's too lazy to train her staff (or to have someone train her staff) on alternative assessments. You don't have to complete a worksheet to demonstrate knowledge of characterization. A picture at the elementary level - even at the secondary level - works just as well.

As a high school teacher who taught Spoon River for quite a few years, anyone familiar with it would appreciate my assignment where I asked students to draw a dinner party where five characters were invited. Who's the host? What's the theme? WHY were these characters invited?

Kids can demonstrate mastery of simple math facts through drawing, too. Show 7-3 by using fruit. So a kid can draw 7 apples. And then suddenly a fawn comes along and eats three. huh - How many are left?

There are AMAZING ways to show mastery of concepts.

I'm guessing you think these assignments are foolish, too?

But sadly, as a teacher, you can't seem to think outside the box and are no smarter than the teachers at Gaithersburg ES who have been stripped of their ability to give homework. yes, STRIPPED!

Thanks for making the rest of us look like idiots, btw. You seem like a real winner in the classroom and at home as a parent.

Actually you sound like a shitty teacher. The PP teacher is right - plenty of research to back her up. The kids should be able to demonstrate mastery to you during class.

And I didn't even make my kid complete drawing or coloring activities in K much less now that she is in 2nd. Drawing pictures/coloring pictures is so over done that the kids do not want to do them during Kindergarten. You are in no way thinking outside the box.

[Anonymous]

My kid is in kindergarten now. Her ONLY homework is for her parents to read to her every night for 20 minutes. We then complete a log that lists the title and author of the book. For each book she has a pre, during and after-reading activity (really, just discussion).

I wonder how many of the students in her class of 18 actually get read to each night. I am a HS teacher and I am not exaggerating when I say MOST of my students are not reading on grade level (in fact, I have several that read below a third grade level - and these are 11th and 12th graders). I am sure this is because there was NO ONE reading to them while they were growing up. So I have to agree with the PP that said if no parents are there to help with homework, they sure as hell aren't taking 20 minutes to read to their kid each night. And I am including "babysitters" - get real!

I remember seeing somewhere something about most of the learning is done before kindergarten. Basically, if you weren't already reading to your kid before they got to K, your kid was already behind.

I also have to disagree with last poster who said she doesn't make her kid complete drawings. It is not overdone at all I can't think of a single kindergartener who doesn't LOVE drawing, especially since most aren't fully reading or writing yet.

And the first teacher makes perfect sense. It is wrong to "outlaw" all homework just becuase you think what the teachers are giving out is terrible (and most of it is). The principal has the responsibility to train her teachers and have them give meaningful practice at home, not just abolish everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in kindergarten now. Her ONLY homework is for her parents to read to her every night for 20 minutes. We then complete a log that lists the title and author of the book. For each book she has a pre, during and after-reading activity (really, just discussion).

I wonder how many of the students in her class of 18 actually get read to each night. I am a HS teacher and I am not exaggerating when I say MOST of my students are not reading on grade level (in fact, I have several that read below a third grade level - and these are 11th and 12th graders). I am sure this is because there was NO ONE reading to them while they were growing up. So I have to agree with the PP that said if no parents are there to help with homework, they sure as hell aren't taking 20 minutes to read to their kid each night. And I am including "babysitters" - get real!

I remember seeing somewhere something about most of the learning is done before kindergarten. Basically, if you weren't already reading to your kid before they got to K, your kid was already behind.

I also have to disagree with last poster who said she doesn't make her kid complete drawings. It is not overdone at all I can't think of a single kindergartener who doesn't LOVE drawing, especially since most aren't fully reading or writing yet.

And the first teacher makes perfect sense. It is wrong to "outlaw" all homework just becuase you think what the teachers are giving out is terrible (and most of it is). The principal has the responsibility to train her teachers and have them give meaningful practice at home, not just abolish everything

But the research doesn't support it. Even "meaningful practice" is meaningless at this age. What is most effective for student achievement is reading, and that's what she has assigned. In the article, it states the principal "and her staff" evaluated the homework, and came to this conclusion. I do not know anyone at GES, but the tone of the actual article makes it sound more like it was a schoolwide staff decision. The principal is the leader, so of course she is going to be the mouthpiece. Here's something interesting on the subject: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/31470/ It gives links to legitimate studies that outline the negatives (and yes, even a few positives) of homework. Basically, low-income students and elementary students do not benefit from homework, older students sometimes do, and too much homework diminishes what positive effect it would have. Also, in Japan, the trend is moving away from homework.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

well your stupidity is sickening but whatever.

One of the main issues is those children are less likely to have an adult in the home to help them complete the homework or even be able to read and understand it. The extra homework doesn't benefit these kids in the long run in the elementary level.

I'm a teacher, and couldn't agree more. The research shows that in elem school, homework has essentially no value. With this population, parents are much less likely to be able to help their children with homework, and the students are more likely to have no opportunity to do their homework anyway (a homeless shelter feeds into this school). What parents CAN do is read with their kids for 30 minutes, and if they can't, the students have access to age-appropriate literature in the school media center and can read their library books at home.

My kids aren't in school yet, but I'm seriously considering being that crazy parent that sends in a note at the beginning of the year, saying that we will be "opting out" of homework. In middle and high school, sure, it's expected and important for study habits. But five-year-olds should be playing after school, not doing worksheets. I applaud this principal's brave decision.

You're one shitty teacher then, and I say that AS a teacher. You do realize that the principal has no faith in WHAT'S being sent home, right? (Hopefully, you do.) Furthermore, she's too lazy to train her staff (or to have someone train her staff) on alternative assessments. You don't have to complete a worksheet to demonstrate knowledge of characterization. A picture at the elementary level - even at the secondary level - works just as well.

As a high school teacher who taught Spoon River for quite a few years, anyone familiar with it would appreciate my assignment where I asked students to draw a dinner party where five characters were invited. Who's the host? What's the theme? WHY were these characters invited?

Kids can demonstrate mastery of simple math facts through drawing, too. Show 7-3 by using fruit. So a kid can draw 7 apples. And then suddenly a fawn comes along and eats three. huh - How many are left?

There are AMAZING ways to show mastery of concepts.

I'm guessing you think these assignments are foolish, too?

But sadly, as a teacher, you can't seem to think outside the box and are no smarter than the teachers at Gaithersburg ES who have been stripped of their ability to give homework. yes, STRIPPED!

Thanks for making the rest of us look like idiots, btw. You seem like a real winner in the classroom and at home as a parent.

You seem to have a lot of aggression. Assessments are not homework, though. The "purpose" of homework is to practice, not demonstrate mastery. And my opinion on homework was geared towards elementary school, not high school.

I'm not going to address the rest of your comment.

No, Sugar, SOME homework may be graded. Go to MCPS and take notes.

So when these kids hit college (if they're ready, that is), how will they know how to manage their time to complete assignments? The idea is to gradually prepare them for one hell of a workload once they're young adults.

So save your tuition, parents, b/c at this rate, I doubt your children will have the stamina to keep up as freshmen in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

well your stupidity is sickening but whatever.

One of the main issues is those children are less likely to have an adult in the home to help them complete the homework or even be able to read and understand it. The extra homework doesn't benefit these kids in the long run in the elementary level.

I'm a teacher, and couldn't agree more. The research shows that in elem school, homework has essentially no value. With this population, parents are much less likely to be able to help their children with homework, and the students are more likely to have no opportunity to do their homework anyway (a homeless shelter feeds into this school). What parents CAN do is read with their kids for 30 minutes, and if they can't, the students have access to age-appropriate literature in the school media center and can read their library books at home.

My kids aren't in school yet, but I'm seriously considering being that crazy parent that sends in a note at the beginning of the year, saying that we will be "opting out" of homework. In middle and high school, sure, it's expected and important for study habits. But five-year-olds should be playing after school, not doing worksheets. I applaud this principal's brave decision.

You're one shitty teacher then, and I say that AS a teacher. You do realize that the principal has no faith in WHAT'S being sent home, right? (Hopefully, you do.) Furthermore, she's too lazy to train her staff (or to have someone train her staff) on alternative assessments. You don't have to complete a worksheet to demonstrate knowledge of characterization. A picture at the elementary level - even at the secondary level - works just as well.

As a high school teacher who taught Spoon River for quite a few years, anyone familiar with it would appreciate my assignment where I asked students to draw a dinner party where five characters were invited. Who's the host? What's the theme? WHY were these characters invited?

Kids can demonstrate mastery of simple math facts through drawing, too. Show 7-3 by using fruit. So a kid can draw 7 apples. And then suddenly a fawn comes along and eats three. huh - How many are left?

There are AMAZING ways to show mastery of concepts.

I'm guessing you think these assignments are foolish, too?

But sadly, as a teacher, you can't seem to think outside the box and are no smarter than the teachers at Gaithersburg ES who have been stripped of their ability to give homework. yes, STRIPPED!

Thanks for making the rest of us look like idiots, btw. You seem like a real winner in the classroom and at home as a parent.

You seem to have a lot of aggression. Assessments are not homework, though. The "purpose" of homework is to practice, not demonstrate mastery. And my opinion on homework was geared towards elementary school, not high school.

I'm not going to address the rest of your comment.

No, Sugar, SOME homework may be graded. Go to MCPS and take notes.

So when these kids hit college (if they're ready, that is), how will they know how to manage their time to complete assignments? The idea is to gradually prepare them for one hell of a workload once they're young adults.

So save your tuition, parents, b/c at this rate, I doubt your children will have the stamina to keep up as freshmen in college.

Here's the secondary policy - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/info/grading/GradingProceduresOverviewSecondary.pdf

Elementary - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/info/grading/GradingProceduresOverviewAll.pdf

Homework
Teachers in Grades 1–5 assign homework as an important part of instruction.
• Homework for practice is not part of the academic grade.
• Teachers provide feedback on homework that is assigned to practice new
skills.
• Homework evaluated for learning may be included as part of the
academic grade.
• Teachers give feedback in writing and/or by talking with students
individually or in groups.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

well your stupidity is sickening but whatever.

One of the main issues is those children are less likely to have an adult in the home to help them complete the homework or even be able to read and understand it. The extra homework doesn't benefit these kids in the long run in the elementary level.

I'm a teacher, and couldn't agree more. The research shows that in elem school, homework has essentially no value. With this population, parents are much less likely to be able to help their children with homework, and the students are more likely to have no opportunity to do their homework anyway (a homeless shelter feeds into this school). What parents CAN do is read with their kids for 30 minutes, and if they can't, the students have access to age-appropriate literature in the school media center and can read their library books at home.

My kids aren't in school yet, but I'm seriously considering being that crazy parent that sends in a note at the beginning of the year, saying that we will be "opting out" of homework. In middle and high school, sure, it's expected and important for study habits. But five-year-olds should be playing after school, not doing worksheets. I applaud this principal's brave decision.

You're one shitty teacher then, and I say that AS a teacher. You do realize that the principal has no faith in WHAT'S being sent home, right? (Hopefully, you do.) Furthermore, she's too lazy to train her staff (or to have someone train her staff) on alternative assessments. You don't have to complete a worksheet to demonstrate knowledge of characterization. A picture at the elementary level - even at the secondary level - works just as well.

As a high school teacher who taught Spoon River for quite a few years, anyone familiar with it would appreciate my assignment where I asked students to draw a dinner party where five characters were invited. Who's the host? What's the theme? WHY were these characters invited?

Kids can demonstrate mastery of simple math facts through drawing, too. Show 7-3 by using fruit. So a kid can draw 7 apples. And then suddenly a fawn comes along and eats three. huh - How many are left?

There are AMAZING ways to show mastery of concepts.

I'm guessing you think these assignments are foolish, too?

But sadly, as a teacher, you can't seem to think outside the box and are no smarter than the teachers at Gaithersburg ES who have been stripped of their ability to give homework. yes, STRIPPED!

Thanks for making the rest of us look like idiots, btw. You seem like a real winner in the classroom and at home as a parent.

You seem to have a lot of aggression. Assessments are not homework, though. The "purpose" of homework is to practice, not demonstrate mastery. And my opinion on homework was geared towards elementary school, not high school.

I'm not going to address the rest of your comment.

No, Sugar, SOME homework may be graded. Go to MCPS and take notes.

So when these kids hit college (if they're ready, that is), how will they know how to manage their time to complete assignments? The idea is to gradually prepare them for one hell of a workload once they're young adults.

So save your tuition, parents, b/c at this rate, I doubt your children will have the stamina to keep up as freshmen in college.

Homework in College is no where near what it is in Highschool, its apples and oranges... When I was in college I was relieved to have so much free time on my hands and not be bogged down with busy work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in kindergarten now. Her ONLY homework is for her parents to read to her every night for 20 minutes. We then complete a log that lists the title and author of the book. For each book she has a pre, during and after-reading activity (really, just discussion).

I wonder how many of the students in her class of 18 actually get read to each night. I am a HS teacher and I am not exaggerating when I say MOST of my students are not reading on grade level (in fact, I have several that read below a third grade level - and these are 11th and 12th graders). I am sure this is because there was NO ONE reading to them while they were growing up. So I have to agree with the PP that said if no parents are there to help with homework, they sure as hell aren't taking 20 minutes to read to their kid each night. And I am including "babysitters" - get real!

I remember seeing somewhere something about most of the learning is done before kindergarten. Basically, if you weren't already reading to your kid before they got to K, your kid was already behind.

I also have to disagree with last poster who said she doesn't make her kid complete drawings. It is not overdone at all I can't think of a single kindergartener who doesn't LOVE drawing, especially since most aren't fully reading or writing yet.

And the first teacher makes perfect sense. It is wrong to "outlaw" all homework just becuase you think what the teachers are giving out is terrible (and most of it is). The principal has the responsibility to train her teachers and have them give meaningful practice at home, not just abolish everything

But the research doesn't support it. Even "meaningful practice" is meaningless at this age. What is most effective for student achievement is reading, and that's what she has assigned. In the article, it states the principal "and her staff" evaluated the homework, and came to this conclusion. I do not know anyone at GES, but the tone of the actual article makes it sound more like it was a schoolwide staff decision. The principal is the leader, so of course she is going to be the mouthpiece. Here's something interesting on the subject: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/31470/ It gives links to legitimate studies that outline the negatives (and yes, even a few positives) of homework. Basically, low-income students and elementary students do not benefit from homework, older students sometimes do, and too much homework diminishes what positive effect it would have. Also, in Japan, the trend is moving away from homework.

The link you provide does not even support your premise. At no point does it say anywhere that homework is "meaningless". What is says is that CERTAIN students benefit from homework while others don't (low income students for instance). The ones that benefit should be penalized because of the poor performance of lower income students?

The system needs to come up with other strategies to address the acheivement of lower income students but taking homework away from those that can benefit is not the way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is in kindergarten now. Her ONLY homework is for her parents to read to her every night for 20 minutes. We then complete a log that lists the title and author of the book. For each book she has a pre, during and after-reading activity (really, just discussion).

I wonder how many of the students in her class of 18 actually get read to each night. I am a HS teacher and I am not exaggerating when I say MOST of my students are not reading on grade level (in fact, I have several that read below a third grade level - and these are 11th and 12th graders). I am sure this is because there was NO ONE reading to them while they were growing up. So I have to agree with the PP that said if no parents are there to help with homework, they sure as hell aren't taking 20 minutes to read to their kid each night. And I am including "babysitters" - get real!

I remember seeing somewhere something about most of the learning is done before kindergarten. Basically, if you weren't already reading to your kid before they got to K, your kid was already behind.

I also have to disagree with last poster who said she doesn't make her kid complete drawings. It is not overdone at all I can't think of a single kindergartener who doesn't LOVE drawing, especially since most aren't fully reading or writing yet.

And the first teacher makes perfect sense. It is wrong to "outlaw" all homework just becuase you think what the teachers are giving out is terrible (and most of it is). The principal has the responsibility to train her teachers and have them give meaningful practice at home, not just abolish everything

But the research doesn't support it. Even "meaningful practice" is meaningless at this age. What is most effective for student achievement is reading, and that's what she has assigned. In the article, it states the principal "and her staff" evaluated the homework, and came to this conclusion. I do not know anyone at GES, but the tone of the actual article makes it sound more like it was a schoolwide staff decision. The principal is the leader, so of course she is going to be the mouthpiece. Here's something interesting on the subject: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/31470/ It gives links to legitimate studies that outline the negatives (and yes, even a few positives) of homework. Basically, low-income students and elementary students do not benefit from homework, older students sometimes do, and too much homework diminishes what positive effect it would have. Also, in Japan, the trend is moving away from homework.

The link you provide does not even support your premise. At no point does it say anywhere that homework is "meaningless". What is says is that CERTAIN students benefit from homework while others don't (low income students for instance). The ones that benefit should be penalized because of the poor performance of lower income students?

The system needs to come up with other strategies to address the acheivement of lower income students but taking homework away from those that can benefit is not the way!

Thank You! You are a blessing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

well your stupidity is sickening but whatever.

One of the main issues is those children are less likely to have an adult in the home to help them complete the homework or even be able to read and understand it. The extra homework doesn't benefit these kids in the long run in the elementary level.

I'm a teacher, and couldn't agree more. The research shows that in elem school, homework has essentially no value. With this population, parents are much less likely to be able to help their children with homework, and the students are more likely to have no opportunity to do their homework anyway (a homeless shelter feeds into this school). What parents CAN do is read with their kids for 30 minutes, and if they can't, the students have access to age-appropriate literature in the school media center and can read their library books at home.

My kids aren't in school yet, but I'm seriously considering being that crazy parent that sends in a note at the beginning of the year, saying that we will be "opting out" of homework. In middle and high school, sure, it's expected and important for study habits. But five-year-olds should be playing after school, not doing worksheets. I applaud this principal's brave decision.

You're one shitty teacher then, and I say that AS a teacher. You do realize that the principal has no faith in WHAT'S being sent home, right? (Hopefully, you do.) Furthermore, she's too lazy to train her staff (or to have someone train her staff) on alternative assessments. You don't have to complete a worksheet to demonstrate knowledge of characterization. A picture at the elementary level - even at the secondary level - works just as well.

As a high school teacher who taught Spoon River for quite a few years, anyone familiar with it would appreciate my assignment where I asked students to draw a dinner party where five characters were invited. Who's the host? What's the theme? WHY were these characters invited?

Kids can demonstrate mastery of simple math facts through drawing, too. Show 7-3 by using fruit. So a kid can draw 7 apples. And then suddenly a fawn comes along and eats three. huh - How many are left?

There are AMAZING ways to show mastery of concepts.

I'm guessing you think these assignments are foolish, too?

But sadly, as a teacher, you can't seem to think outside the box and are no smarter than the teachers at Gaithersburg ES who have been stripped of their ability to give homework. yes, STRIPPED!

Thanks for making the rest of us look like idiots, btw. You seem like a real winner in the classroom and at home as a parent.

You seem to have a lot of aggression. Assessments are not homework, though. The "purpose" of homework is to practice, not demonstrate mastery. And my opinion on homework was geared towards elementary school, not high school.

I'm not going to address the rest of your comment.

No, Sugar, SOME homework may be graded. Go to MCPS and take notes.

So when these kids hit college (if they're ready, that is), how will they know how to manage their time to complete assignments? The idea is to gradually prepare them for one hell of a workload once they're young adults.

So save your tuition, parents, b/c at this rate, I doubt your children will have the stamina to keep up as freshmen in college.

Your attitude is disturbing, and you are being very rude. Are you still in the classroom? Is this how you speak to parents and students? We may disagree about this subject, but your continued rudeness is completely inappropriate.

You seem to be stuck in high school. The topic was about homework in elementary school. In middle and high school, homework has benefits such as developing study habits and reinforcing concepts in the classroom. This is where the gradual increase in student responsibility at home begins--although, again, reading for 30 minutes every night is beneficial and linked to increased student performance, which is the "homework" GES assigns. In college, homework is not necessarily in the same spirit--reading, completing assignments, projects, etc., that will be graded.

Students should not to be showing mastery with homework--if their parents are helping them with it, then they are not showing mastery, and you have no way of knowing if they did it by themselves.

I don't know what else to tell you. I've stated my opinions, which I believe are valid and research-based. Yuor opinions are... your opinions, and it's clear that they will not be changing any time soon.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure if this is such a great thing. I don't think that too much homework is a good thing, but maybe homework every other day to keep the kids sharp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if this is such a great thing. I don't think that too much homework is a good thing, but maybe homework every other day to keep the kids sharp.

Again, much research has been done on this and the research DOES NOT support that homework in elementary school (and very little in middle school for that matter) contributes anything to student achievement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure if this is such a great thing. I don't think that too much homework is a good thing, but maybe homework every other day to keep the kids sharp.

Again, much research has been done on this and the research DOES NOT support that homework in elementary school (and very little in middle school for that matter) contributes anything to student achievement.

does anyone have primary source citations for this purported "research"?

[Anonymous]

The link I posted above summarizes several studies (aka "research") that show student acheivement cannot be conclusively linked to homework. Homework can be effective in some situations for some students, but not all students, and (to bring it back to the topic at hand) not for the student population at the school involved in this policy.