Homework unnecessary evil

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 12:53. I think there is marginally more homework now than when I was a kid, but I don't trust my memory that far back too much. I think the amount now is heavy, but the challenge more comes from the repetitiveness rather than the volume. If it was more creative and diverse, it wouldn't be so onerous.

The comment that really ticked me off was the PP who said that academics cared the least about their kids doing homework. Couldn't be farther from the truth, at least in our house and amongst our friends/colleagues.

I firmly believe that academic/professional success is more dependent on work ethic and perseverance rather than any "natural" gifts or special innate talents. More than anything else, I think hard work got me where I am. A good work ethic is one quality that I most deeply hope that I instill in my kids. Completing every homework assignment, on time, and as well as it can be done is non-negotiable in our house.

I don't think that's what the PP was referring to. It's not about not caring about academic responsibilities (installing work ethic). It's whether she thinks there is any value at all in teachers' assigning homework in the first place, especially in the early grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 12:53. I think there is marginally more homework now than when I was a kid, but I don't trust my memory that far back too much. I think the amount now is heavy, but the challenge more comes from the repetitiveness rather than the volume. If it was more creative and diverse, it wouldn't be so onerous.

The comment that really ticked me off was the PP who said that academics cared the least about their kids doing homework. Couldn't be farther from the truth, at least in our house and amongst our friends/colleagues.

I firmly believe that academic/professional success is more dependent on work ethic and perseverance rather than any "natural" gifts or special innate talents. More than anything else, I think hard work got me where I am. A good work ethic is one quality that I most deeply hope that I instill in my kids. Completing every homework assignment, on time, and as well as it can be done is non-negotiable in our house.

I don't think that's what the PP was referring to. It's not about not caring about academic responsibilities (installing work ethic). It's whether she thinks there is any value at all in teachers' assigning homework in the first place, especially in the early grades.

Fair enough. Maybe I misunderstood. It wouldn't bother me if the kids had less homework. I do think taking whatever is assigned very seriously is extremely important.

[Anonymous]

I'm an academic, born and bred in the US. I think homework is important. My son is definitely not one of the "best and brightest" and he needs practice. The "best and brightest" will thrive anywhere. Most of us, however, have more average children. At school, they have completely given up all the drilling we used to get in school. So he can not spell. So his handwriting is very bad. So, I appreciate the homework so I can use it to correct these deficiencies.

If you are lucky enough to have a kid that just grows like a weed into a beautiful flower, consider yourself lucky and understand that most kids require some pruning to fit into the modern world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an academic, born and bred in the US. I think homework is important. My son is definitely not one of the "best and brightest" and he needs practice. The "best and brightest" will thrive anywhere. Most of us, however, have more average children. At school, they have completely given up all the drilling we used to get in school. So he can not spell. So his handwriting is very bad. So, I appreciate the homework so I can use it to correct these deficiencies.

If you are lucky enough to have a kid that just grows like a weed into a beautiful flower, consider yourself lucky and understand that most kids require some pruning to fit into the modern world.

That sounds much more like a curriculum deficit than a kid deficit.