Author Archives: Sara Bennett

A Kindergarten Teacher Responds to “Kindergarten Cram”

A kindergarten teacher posted a comment that I want to make sure everyone sees. This is what s/he says: As a kindergarten teacher (don’t shoot me) policy and curriculum is not set by the teacher and many times not by the school, but by standards set by the state and federal government. I agree thatContinue reading “A Kindergarten Teacher Responds to “Kindergarten Cram””

Upcoming Documentary–Race to Nowhere

A few months ago, I wrote about an upcoming documentary which was tentatively called Slipping Behind. The film, which looks at the fact-paced, high-stress lives of many of today’s students, is now called Race to Nowhere and you can view the trailer here. You can pre-order the film here or set up a screening. LetContinue reading “Upcoming Documentary–Race to Nowhere”

California School District Abolishes Homework for Elementary and Middle School

The Helendale School District in California is instituting a no-homework policy for students in K-8th grade beginning this fall. According to vvdailypress, “First- through sixth-graders will complete any independent work during daily lessons, while seventh- and eighth-graders will get an added ‘homework time’ class period.” Which school district will be next?

More from Yesterday’s High School Senior

I got a second email from yesterday’s high school senior, who had even more to say on the problems with homework. More Thoughts on Homework by a high school senior Camarillo High School, California As always, the homework load depends on the individual teacher. When homework is excessive, it simply turns into “drill.” The teacherContinue reading “More from Yesterday’s High School Senior”

From My Mailbox–A High School Senior Speaks Out

Here’s an email I received from a senior at Camarillo High School in California: Dear Sara: As a high school student I believe most homework is just a waste of time. Simply put, a lot of the work can actually be done in class or not done at all (I’ll get to that later). HomeworkContinue reading “From My Mailbox–A High School Senior Speaks Out”

Guest Blogger–Homework Should be Relevant, Interesting, and Personal

Today’s guest blogger, Ben Kestner, is the Middle School Principal at the Berlin Brandenburg International School, where he initially started as curriculum coordinator for the IBO Middle Years Programme. He studied flute at the London College of Music and in Berlin with Andreas Blau and after spending time playing and teaching he pursued a careerContinue reading “Guest Blogger–Homework Should be Relevant, Interesting, and Personal”

“Kindergarten Cram”

Yesterday’s New York Times Magazine had a great article, Kindergarten Cram, about the problems with today’s kindergartens. One of my favorite lines: “How was it that the same couples who piously proclaimed that 3½-year-old Junior was not “developmentally ready” to use the potty were drilling him on flashcards?” Here’s the beginning of the article: AboutContinue reading ““Kindergarten Cram””

Does your Pediatrician ask about Homework?

I received an email from a father in southern California who told me: My 14 year old daughter was told by her doctor she was 40 pounds overweight, at 139 pounds and almost 5′ tall. The doctor said she was “too driven” and asked about homework. She carries a 3.8 GPA, but often stays upContinue reading “Does your Pediatrician ask about Homework?”

More from Yesterday’s Principal

In yesterday’s blog post, a former principal and current teacher wrote about some of the problems with homework. As we continued our email exchange, he offered more insights which I’m sharing with you today: Are we teaching or are we preparing for exams so that we can demonstrate accountability? In a knowledge based model (theContinue reading “More from Yesterday’s Principal”