I am very excited about a soon-to-be-released short documentary, Slipping Behind, which looks at the fast-paced, high-stress lives of many of today’s students. If you live in the New York City area, there will be two free screenings of the film on March 5 and March 6. The filmmaker, Vicki Abeles, and I will facilitateContinue reading “Coming Soon to a Theater Near You…”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
A Fifth Grader’s “Case Against Homework”
The New York Daily News recently ran an opinion piece by fifth grader Benjamin Berrafato, “Fifth-graders of the nation, unite against homework.” He wrote: Homework is assigned to students like me, without our permission. Teachers expect us to do homework, even though we’d rather not. It can be hard sometimes. We get punished if weContinue reading “A Fifth Grader’s “Case Against Homework””
On Vacation Until February 24
A Little Light Reading
Beth Harpaz, a writer in my neighborhood, has a very funny new book, 13 is the New 18: And other things my children taught me while I was having a nervous breakdown being their mother. Not surprisingly, she talks about her trials and tribulations with homework. Happily, she doesn’t cave in to the school’s requestContinue reading “A Little Light Reading”
Denver Billboard Urges Parents to Opt Out of State Testing
The Coalition for Better Education, a nonprofit started in 2004 by a group of aspiring teachers to push for the elimination of the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP), has put up billboards in the Denver area to urge parents to opt out of testing. The main emphasis of the group is to let parents knowContinue reading “Denver Billboard Urges Parents to Opt Out of State Testing”
Guest Blogger: A Life Without Homework
Today’s guest blogger is Maggie Jacobus, a former resident of suburban Milwaukee who moved her family to Costa Rica in search of a more relaxed life. A Life Without Homework by Maggie Jacobus I enjoyed your column in the Green Hour newsletter. I wanted to share with you briefly our story and what one canContinue reading “Guest Blogger: A Life Without Homework”
From my Mailbox: A Grandmother Speaks Out
I received this email from a grandmother and wanted to share her wisdom: Dear Sara, I am a grandmother raising my 4 grandchildren. I just found your website and I was pleased to read that others feel the same as I do. As my grandchildren’s guardian, I feel that children have way too much homework!Continue reading “From my Mailbox: A Grandmother Speaks Out”
From My Mailbox–Where Were You When My Daughter Was in School?
Sara, Wow! Where was this movement to stop homework when my daughter was in school? She’s nearly 20 now but homework made our lives hell for 12 years. From the time she was in first grade, she was barraged with ridiculous amounts of homework every single night and on vacations, too. She had so muchContinue reading “From My Mailbox–Where Were You When My Daughter Was in School?”
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–My Kindergartner Needs Recess
Denise Hills, a geologist, and her husband, a college geology professor, live in Tuscaloosa, AL with their two children, a kindergartner and a two-year-old. The kindergartner, who goes to the local public school, gets no recess. Denise recently wrote the following letter to the school and told me that, “after tackling recess, I plan onContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–My Kindergartner Needs Recess”
California Parent Seeks Help in Rescinding Recess Punishment
A father posted the following comment, in which he states that his daughter is getting a month-long punishment of no recess. If you live in the same district (San Juan Unified Elementary in California), or nearby, and can help in any way, please drop me a line and I’ll put you in contact with thisContinue reading “California Parent Seeks Help in Rescinding Recess Punishment”
Stop Homework 