I recently stumbled upon the blog of a fourth grade teacher, Angela Bunyi, who keeps homework to a minimum. She writes to the parents, “I keep homework very light so that you can honestly keep reading and writing as part of your steady diet at home. This will help me more than any worksheet IContinue reading “We Need More Teachers Like Mrs. Bunyi”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
From my Mailbox: A Single Father Speaks Out
I recently received a letter from a single dad in Montana who would like to meet other parents nearby who are also fed up with homework. So if you live in Montana, drop me a line, and I’ll try to put you in touch with each other. Dear Sara, I’m a single father of aContinue reading “From my Mailbox: A Single Father Speaks Out”
Project-Based Learning
Almost every day I hear from parents who tell me about a silly project that required a lot of time and effort but no learning. If you ever wondered what project-based learning is really supposed to be about, here’s a really good video.
Exam Stress Leads to Too Many Suicides in India
According to an article in the Times of India, there were more than 16 suicides a day during a peak exam period in the 2006-2007 school year. “The sense of failure comes from the perception that success in exams is the key to success in life,” says a counselor and family therapist. “The burden ofContinue reading “Exam Stress Leads to Too Many Suicides in India”
Some New Zealand Schools Cut Back on Homework
Seven New Zealand primary schools have just decided to cut back on homework because research shows no correlation between homework and academic achievement and there’s no evidence that homework teaches time management skills. (Nothing new there! Readers of this blog already knew that.) According to stuff.co.nz, a recent study by Auckland University education professor JohnContinue reading “Some New Zealand Schools Cut Back on Homework”
Let This Teacher Know What You Think of Kindergarten Homework
I recently came across a blog by a kindergarten teacher who was wondering whether she should assign more homework in kindergarten to prepare her students for first grade. I was so horrified by her musings (and the amount of homework she already assigns) that I posted a comment. You might want to do the same.Continue reading “Let This Teacher Know What You Think of Kindergarten Homework”
First Monday
Today, March 2, 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 a collective note.Continue reading “First Monday”
Bring Alfie Kohn into your Living Room
Alfie Kohn, the author of The Homework Myth, has just released a DVD, No Grades + No Homework = Better Learning, featuring two of his lectures–one on the problem with grades and the other on the problem with homework. Each lecture, geared towards parents and teachers, is about 45 minutes in length and both areContinue reading “Bring Alfie Kohn into your Living Room”
Homework Optional at School in St. Paul, Minnesota
A school in St. Paul, Minnesota is trying something new. Instead of grading students based on homework, tests, extra-credit and participation, it will assess them solely on how well they understand the material, either through tests or projects. According to The Star Tribune, the director of teaching and learning for the district. “I’d love toContinue reading “Homework Optional at School in St. Paul, Minnesota”
Broward County, Florida, Sets Limits on Homework
Last week, the Broward County School Board in Florida approved new homework guidelines that suggest that teachers not assign too much homework and that the homework that is assigned be meaningful. According to The Sun Sentinel, the policy requires teachers to “provide ‘timely and appropriate feedback’ on assignments, be sensitive about the costs of materialsContinue reading “Broward County, Florida, Sets Limits on Homework”
Stop Homework 