Homework. That one word can elicit emotions of loathing,
anxiety and frustration from parents and students alike. It can bring with it a
negative connotation for some; seen as a bothersome chore one must check of the
list of things to be done. But, if done right, homework is an incredibly
important part of one’s academic program and an essential component of
developing life-long learners.
As a staff we have had some terrific conversations over the
course of the last school year about homework. The end result of that dialogue
isn’t a school policy or a rigid set of one size fits all criteria related to
homework, instead, we have focused our efforts on incorporating what we know
are best practices tied to homework.
Purpose
We all like to know why we have to do things whether it is
at work or at school. Just do it works for selling
sneakers, but not for assigning tasks to complete. Homework should follow suit.
Effective homework starts with a purpose. Homework should be practice, review,
checking for understanding, making meaningful connections or extending
learning. Homework should not be busy work and should not be assigned just for
the sake of assigning it. Homework can be a terrific formative assessment tool
and a means to help foster a student’s ability to work independently.
Responsibilities
As we have learned more about what constitutes effective
practices tied to homework, we know that the model for success truly needs to
be a triangle of responsibility with teachers, students and parents all having
a role in making it work.
For teachers, homework policies and expectations need to be
clearly communicated to student and parents at the beginning of the school
year. These can be written and provided to students and parents, reviewed at
Open House, and posted on a teacher’s online site if applicable. Assignments
should be at a student’s independent level, and teachers should use their discretion
to differentiate assignments at individual student’s levels when appropriate.
In addition, teachers need to provide feedback. Feedback is the engine that
drives growth and improvement and has to be a part of the process. Lastly,
teachers need to continue to be proactive communicators when they see or sense
problems. Waiting until a five week report or a report card goes home is not
sufficient as a first time connection with the parents of a struggling student.
For students, homework is a key part of becoming an
independent, life-long learner. It is the student’s responsibility to record
homework assignments in their planner through the use of assignment boards in
the classrooms or using a teacher online site if applicable. They are expected
to work thoughtfully on assignments, giving their best effort and maintaining a
high level of quality work. We all need
to help students take ownership for their work and take pride in anything that
they put their name on. We also need to communicate the importance of effort;
whether we call it determination, grit, resolve, or perseverance, students need
to learn how to work through adversity, struggle and even failure. It is out of
that struggle and failure that the greatest learning takes place. Step back;
let them struggle.
For parents, homework needs to be valued as an important
part of their child’s academic program. Becoming familiar with homework
expectations and talking about those expectations with their child is an essential
and meaningful practice. In addition, parents should do everything possible to
provide a quiet location for students to work, be an interested observer in
their child’s homework patterns, and encourage quality work. The most critical
responsibility of our parents is to communicate with teachers if any questions
or concerns arise. Homework time should not be a WWE wrestling match or an intense struggle; if it is then there is a problem. Connect with school to see how we
can help. It’s also alright for parents to say no to things. I have four kids of
my own, one is in fourth grade, one is in second and the other two are not in
school yet (but they are getting close!!). School takes priority over sports,
piano lessons, playing with friends, using my iPad, and watching ESPN.
Sometimes as parents we need to and do say no to our kids. Homework cannot be a
last minute, rushed, anxiety attack at 8:30 PM each night. I am an advocate for
kids to get outside and play and become involved with extracurricular and
community activities, but at the same time we need to set boundaries for them
as the adults, and help them prioritize their time.
When done the right way, homework is an essential part of an
academic program. We strive to support our students using best practices and
continue to focus on continuous improvement as a school. Our students and
parents are, and must continue to be, engaged partners in that process.
Thank you
for your continued support of our students and staff. As always, please let us
know if you have any questions or concerns.
Continued
Success,
Steve Dunham
@Sdunhamwgms
