I was really happy to see this piece by David Shenk, “Does Homework Work?” in the Atlantic Monthly: School’s back, and so is Big Homework. Here’s what my 7th grade daughter has to do tonight: 1 Math review sheet, 1 Science essay, French vocab for possible quiz, History reading and questionaire, and English reading andContinue reading “Parents Should View Homework with Skepticism”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
One Giant Step Backwards, One Baby Step Forward
Palm Beach County, Florida, instituted a new homework policy over the summer, allowing for 60 minutes of homework in third grade and 90 minutes in 4th and 5th. According to an article in the Florida Sun Sentinel, parents are up in arms. (If you’re one of those parents, please let me know.) At the sameContinue reading “One Giant Step Backwards, One Baby Step Forward”
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Rural Alabama
Today’s guest blogger, Jerri Ann Head Reason, lives in rural Alabama with her husband and their two sons, a 6 year old who just started first grade and a 4 year old. Jerri Ann, who has a B.S. in Education and a M.A. in Counseling, has been writing to me for over a year, everContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Rural Alabama”
A High School Senior Speaks Out–The Education System is Cheating Me
The Education System is Cheating Me by a high school senior from southern California I’m a high school senior now. I live in an urban community, meaning that schools in my town are embarrassingly underprivileged. All my life I feel that I’ve been cheated by the traditional education system. All students do is zone outContinue reading “A High School Senior Speaks Out–The Education System is Cheating Me”
Quebec Newspaper Writes Editorial Against Homework
Quebec’s largest English language weekly newspaper, The Suburban published an anti-homework editorial at the end of August: Too much homework As kids go back to school, we need to pay attention to a growing movement among parents and educators calling on homework to be severely reduced. We think they are right. Childhood is a timeContinue reading “Quebec Newspaper Writes Editorial Against Homework”
10 Tips to Start off the School Year
Over the summer, I kept on seeing the same type of article I’ve been seeing for over a dozen years about how to help your kids succeed in school and with homework. By now I’m sure you’re as familiar with that advice as I am: establish a routine and schedule for homework; limit distractions duringContinue reading “10 Tips to Start off the School Year”
Welcome Back (and The AP Song)
Welcome back to Stop Homework. I was really gratified to see that, while I was taking a break from blogging, people were still stopping by, commenting, sending me emails, and talking to each other in the Comments. I especially liked the sharing of ideas, the recommending of articles, and the support people offer each other.Continue reading “Welcome Back (and The AP Song)”
Daniel Pink’s TED Lecture
I’ve recommended the TED lectures in the past, and I can’t help but recommend them again. Recently, I watched a lecture by Daniel Pink, author of A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, where he discusses how incentives actually dull thinking and block creativity. You can watch it here.
See You in September
I won’t be posting again until September but I will be answering email, so please feel free to write me with your questions, concerns, and requests for speaking engagements. If you’re looking for an end-of-the-year gift for your children’s teachers, consider giving The Case Against Homework. When teachers and administrators read it, they think about,Continue reading “See You in September”
A Teacher Speaks Out–Reading Without Meaning
Take a look at this blog by a Reading teacher who has to watch her own high schooler slog through the very kind of assignments we all know are worthless.
Stop Homework 