That homework thing

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Home : 2002 : May : 2

That homework thing
By Parent then teacher

Personally, I don't give much homework.

I have some students who would write a book if I assigned it -- or their parents would. Then, I have many students who, when they go home have to struggle simply to survive their
parents arguments or wait until they get off their shift.
I have two students who sit around in a daze because they stay up all night waiting for a parent to pick them up from an evening job.
I have one student whose father is a minister and never finishes homework because they are never home. They are always practicing for one thing or another -- plays, musicals.
So, I have decided

to keep the homework to a minimal -- study spelling, read our story (which we read in class), memorize your math facts, etc.

I do assign projects -- usually one per quarter. However these are assigned two -three weeks in advance. Plenty of time to complete.

As a parent, I realize that the kids need time to wind down and be a kid and be with their family. Parents want to spend time with their children too. Doing homework can be a point of contention for older students -- I try to provide the means for them to learn in the classroom so they can be children at home.