Friday, March 7, 2008

Did you see this study about homework that was done by Penn State University? It states that "Too Much Homework Can Be Counterproductive". I never had homework until I was in 4Th grade (and by the way even that was too much). Parents of young kids know all about the crazy hours when their kids come home from school, they have homework to do, the phone is ringing, you're trying to cook dinner.

I think what bothers me the most is the time it takes away from other things. When my 1st grader gets homework, I have to tell him that he can't play with his friend after school until it's done. I usually end up telling my 4-year old to be quiet and go play in the other room. I feel tension starting to rise.

I want to just be able to have conversations with my kids when they come home. I want to hear about their day. I want to have time to teach them things that I feel are important to my family. I also want them to have free time to play and get some exercise. I've heard that homeschoolers spend about 3 hours a day on schoolwork, and get way more done that in a traditional classroom. So why should my kids have to come home from a long day at school, and do even more work? Sometimes it's obviously just plain busy work. There's just so much wasted time at school, like when my son had to sit in the office during recess writing his name 10 times because he forgot to write his name on his paper.

Feel free to pass this article around.

21 comments:

Amy said...

i agree with you. thanks for sharing!

Becky said...

So true!

The last thing we parents want is for an eager young child to loathe or dread schoolwork to such an extent that they shut down or tune out and never reach their potential.

Karen said...

I agree. I wonder what they do in school all day if they're expecting the kids to learn their lessons at home.

Kellan said...

I was going to say what Karen said - I agree! I have 4 kids and have gone through years and years of homework - I have wondered if and when this issue would ever seriously be addressed/changed.

Have a good weekend Maria and thanks for coming by and thanks for your prayers for our sweet baby. Take care and I'll see you soon. Kellan

Miss Lisa said...

I completely agree!

Mary said...

So true!
Let them be little and let them get to like school. But don't overload them at such a young age!

dawn klinge said...

I'm so sorry that school is causing so much tension for you and your family lately. I agree wholeheartedly about homework being too much for young kids. That was an interesting article. I taught 2nd grade for one year and I can tell you what I spent most of my time doing (I was a rookie), I was just trying to maintain order and fit a little academics in when I could.

p.s. the blog party thing is just a way to get your blog known and to find out about other blogs. If you click on the picture it will take you to the site to explain everything.

Ally said...

I hope you won't mind my asking, is there a reason you do NOT want to homeschool?

That point is SO right on about homework being counterproductive like that. Learning should be fun, and interesting, and anticipated with joy, not with all the hum-bug that attends overwhelming homework loads.

Thanks for sharing that article!! ;)

Shellie said...

That article was really interesting! What cracked me up is Japan was decreasing their homework while we were increasing ours! Ha ha! I guess nobody's found the balance yet. I think that staying in for recess over anything academic but especially something silly like not writing your name on your paper is a crime. He needs his fresh air, exercise and socialization way more. It makes school work seem like more of a punishment than something to learn. What I like about my children's homework is it is to just reinforce and help solidify things in their minds. I can see where they are doing good and where they need more help, so I can work with the teacher to get them the best education possible. I hate the downsides you mentioned. If they are only learning through homework, there is something wrong at school. This has really made me think how much more efficient home schooling is, because since it's just one on one, it's tailored to the individual and there isn't wasted time on all the nonsense. Some more food for thought, which will lean you toward the home schooling crowd, and supports your feelings: this article about play and how children spend their time. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/
story.php?storyId=19212514 Tell me what you think.

Shellie said...

Oh, and I forgot to tell you I tagged you!

Ice Cream said...

Ok, I will stop worrying that my 2nd grade son isn't coming home with any homework and just be grateful. I just want to know what they are doing in their class without having to contact the teacher every week (I think she is bugged by me).

My niece would get homework like this and it was so sad because by the time she finished it it was time for bed every day. The poor kid never got to be a kid.

Kitty said...

The school my kids go to, doesn't give too much homework. They have spellings to learn, which I agree with - it's good to know how to spell. They have 'project' work to do, but it's not a lot, and not every week.

I hope you manage to sort something out for your kids which gives you ALL a much happier time. x

A Bit of the Blarney said...

If you would visit my "home", you would find a well deserved gift there! Cathy

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

I'm not surprised at the findings. I don't do a lot of the stuff my kindergartener comes home with. I figure she can practice at school. I want to be a family in the evenings

Shellie said...

Let me try it again:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19212514
just copy and paste it up in the box up at the top of your toolbar.

Shellie said...

Shoot, it didn't all fit. then type in after Id= then numbers 19212514. The article is called Old Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills. Maybe you could google it if it still doesn't work? It's from NPR's Morning Edition archives.

Leah said...

sounds like you're headed more and more towards homeschooling! I worry about myself actually making the time TO homeschool... I can easily see getting caught up in having a more free schedule and lazing our days away with fun and errands and what-have-you. And I'm still unclear on how a person teaches multiple grade levels at once and entertains a toddler. LOL When you get all that worked out, let me know because I like the fundamentals of home-schooling, but am just unsure of the actual application of it!'

PS I'd be LIVID if they kept my kid in from recess to write his name several times because he didn't write it on his paper? OMG! That's insane. Kids need the fresh air and exercise of recess.

Cheffie-Mom said...

I agree with you. I can't stand the "busy" homework. I would rather have my son spending time with my husband and I or his friends than having him do an activity that at times seems a little ridiculous. I just stumbled across your blog and I really enjoy it. I just started a blog called "I Overcooked My Family" and am looking to talk with other bloggers. God Bless...and good luck with the homework situation!

Amy said...

I know what you mean...sometimes I think they do more work at home then at school...

Kellan said...

Hi Maria - I hope you are having a good weekend. Thanks for coming by today and for your continued prayers for my little nephew. Take care and I'll see you soon. Kellan

Burgh Baby said...

I am SO dreading that part of school. I couldn't agree with you more. If I had to take work home with me every day from work, I'd quit. Kids shouldn't be expected to do something adults don't do.