The hopless homework battle

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Home : 2003 : February : 20

The hopless homework battle
By JPS

I know that this may sound incredibly simple and naÔve but donít give them homework. You unfortunately are fighting a battle you will never win by giving homework to a child that has absolutely no reason or motivation to
do it. Sometimes it is important to step back and take a different approach. If it is homework that needs to be done, then make time for them to do it in class. I like to send home at least 15 minutes worth of homework on school nights. Just enough to have the children work with their parents. Unfortunately there are the students who do exactly what you describe. They simply are required

to do their homework in class. We have about 30 minutes right after lunch and recess when all three classes get together and listen to a book being read. The children who do not do their homework at home are required to do it during this time.

One other note, I notice quite a few teachers take away recess and the more and more I think about it, the more I feel that it is a mistake to do so. That is why the whole grade reading time is better than recess. The kids need to have the activity that recess provides, in my humble opinion .

Hope this helps

JPS