A New York City science teacher recently posted a comment here about the benefits of downtime, so I wanted to see who she was. On her blog she writes: …downtime is important for students. Just as importantly, I think it extends beyond students – teachers need downtime too. Humans do. My ‘action reasearch’ this weekContinue reading “New York City Science Teacher Realizes Benefit of Downtime”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in San Anselmo, California
Today’s guest blogger, Torri Chappell, from San Anselmo, California, is the mother of a college freshman and a high school sophomore. She is also a teacher. After a decade of advocating for schools to reexamine educational practices that undermine learning and discourage learners (excessive homework, meaningless homework, standardized tests, timed reading/math quizzes), she has finallyContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in San Anselmo, California”
Another Plumsted, New Jersey, Mom Weighs In
Over the past year, I have posted entries by Diane Hewlett-Lowrie here , here, here and here. Now, another parent in her Plumsted, New Jersey, community has written a letter to the same second-grade teacher: I am writing to express my concerns with the homework situation. There are very few nights when things go greatContinue reading “Another Plumsted, New Jersey, Mom Weighs In”
First Monday–Take Action against Holiday Homework
Today is the first Monday in December. As I do every month, I recommend that every parent send a note to her/his children’s teachers, administrators, or School Board members today, the first Monday of the month. Over the Thanksgiving break, I heard from several parents and students complaining about the amount of work that hadContinue reading “First Monday–Take Action against Holiday Homework”
A Little Levity for the Holidays
Last week, the author of the blog zero out of five wrote to tell me that he enjoys my blog. His blog “about funny test answers students have given to assignments and tests” is hilarious. Take a look, enjoy, and have a happy Thanksgiving.
From my Mailbox: California Mom Dislikes Holiday Homework
This week, I heard from the California mother of a fourth grader whose daughter just received a science project where most of the work would have to be done over the Thanksgiving break. The project requires the students to collect rocks, write about them, and do a display presentation. Because the mother considered the displayContinue reading “From my Mailbox: California Mom Dislikes Holiday Homework”
More from FedUp Mom: Conversations I Never Want to Have Again
This is the fifth post by FedUp Mom. You can read her other entries here, here, here and here. Conversations I Never Want to Have Again by FedUp Mom I went to a parents’ party at the Quaker school my kids are now attending and found myself increasingly frustrated. We are living in such aContinue reading “More from FedUp Mom: Conversations I Never Want to Have Again”
Australian School Includes an “Opt-out” Clause in its Homework Policy
Here’s a good homework policy from a newly opened school in Australia. The policy includes an “opt-out” clause, a clause I think all policies should contain. It states, “In recognition of other demands on our students, we support individual students, with parent support, formally ‘opting out’ of the set homework.”
What to Do with Those Pesky “Contracts” from the Teacher
Last night, my daughter brought home a “contract” titled “Classroom Rules” from her 9th grade French teacher. The contract was to be signed by both the student and the parent/guardian. According to the Rules, “If [a student] chooses to break a rule [s/he] earns a zero for the day.” As readers of this blog know,Continue reading “What to Do with Those Pesky “Contracts” from the Teacher”
A Walk in Nature Improves Attention in Children with ADHD
A recent study conducted at the University of Illinois shows that children with ADHD demonstrate greater attention after a 20-minute walk in a park than after a similar walk in a downtown area or a residential neighborhood. According to one of the researchers, “we found that after the walk in the park children generally concentratedContinue reading “A Walk in Nature Improves Attention in Children with ADHD”
Stop Homework 