Kerry Dickinson, who was instrumental in changing homework policy in her Danville, California, community last year, sent me an interesting article on how homework effects the brain. “Once the frontal lobes start to develop, teenagers start being able to handle higher-level, more abstract concepts,” says Istvan Molnar-Szakacs, research neuroscientist at the UCLA Semel Institute’s TennenbaumContinue reading “Homework and the Brain”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
Is Test Prep Educational Malpractice?
Read this interesting article in Teacher Magazine, “Is Test Prep Educational Malpractice”. And, just in case you don’t want to read it, the conclusion is a resounding yes. Please don’t forget that today is First Monday. If you need further inspiration, take a look at
First Monday
This coming Monday, April 6, is the first Monday of the month. As I suggest every month in this blog, I hope you’ll send a note expressing your thoughts about homework to your children’s teachers or, perhaps, to a school administrator or School Board member. Even better, join with a few friends and send aContinue reading “First Monday”
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Edible Projects (Part 2)
Before the day was over, the mom in yesterday’s blog post received a phone call from the principal telling her no parent had ever before complained about the project. And then the mom received an email from the teacher. Below is an excerpt: The Teacher Responds to a Parent’s Concerns about Edible Art Projects …IContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Edible Projects (Part 2)”
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Edible Art Project
Below is a letter a New York City mother sent to her son’s sixth grade public school teacher after her ex-husband told her that the edible projects at the class’s ancient Greek and Rome festival looked as though they had been made by pastry chefs. A few days before the project was due, the motherContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Edible Art Project”
L.A. Times Reports: Schools are Cutting Back on Homework
The L.A. Times recently reported on several California schools that have cut back on homework: Trustees in Danville, Calif., eliminated homework on weekends and vacations last year. Palo Alto officials banned it over winter break. Officials in Orange…are reminding teachers about limits on homework and urging them not to assign it on weekends. A privateContinue reading “L.A. Times Reports: Schools are Cutting Back on Homework”
Teachers in British Columbia, Canada, Seek Ban on Homework Until Grade 4
According to an article in The Province, the president of the British Columbia Teachers Federation says that school kids should not be given any homework until Grade 4 at the earliest. “I’m not in favour of abolishing homework, but I do think we need to consider very carefully the age of children,” she said. “CertainlyContinue reading “Teachers in British Columbia, Canada, Seek Ban on Homework Until Grade 4”
School District in Newfoundland, Canada, Implements New Homework Policy
After some parent complaints that their children were doing too much homework, the Eastern School District in Newfoundland, Canada, implemented a new homework policy. According to vocm.com, “guidelines for Kindergarten students are roughly ten minutes, primary 30 minutes, elementary 40, intermediate an hour, and high school students one to two hours.” In addition, homework cannotContinue reading “School District in Newfoundland, Canada, Implements New Homework Policy”
New Report on the Importance of Play in Kindergarten
The Alliance for Childhood has just issued a new report, Crisis in the Kindergarten: Why Children Need to Play in Kindergarten. Every policy maker should be required to read it.
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Brooklyn, New York (Part 2)
In yesterday’s blog post, Aurora DeMarco of Brooklyn, New York, wrote about how she organized parents in her daughter’s first-grade class to get a reduced homework load. Here’s the letter the parents wrote to the School Leadership Team (SLT). Letter to School Leadership Team by First Grade Parents in Brooklyn, New York There is growingContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Brooklyn, New York (Part 2)”
Stop Homework 