Ah homework! The source of much consternation at the dining table in every family home.
Every parent has their own unique approach and rules to how homework has to happen: either as soon as they get in from school and then they can have playtime, or they let them chill out after school first and then try their best to get them to settle down to it some time later.
My son starts primary school next week and a part of me is looking forward to sharing the homework experience with him.
Partly, as a past teacher, I’m interested to see what’s on the curriculum in 2016 and how I and his dad might enhance his learning experience.
Another part of me is excited for my son that he gets to expand his brain and knowledge – I think he’s going to be really excited about all the things he is about to learn.
But on a realistic level, I am SURE that the novelty will wear off soon enough, when it will no doubt descend into fights between us over getting settled down to get the work done.
So.. what if there was no homework?
One teacher in the US has made a bold move and has sent a note home to her class’ parents, stating that she won’t be giving ANY homework this school year.
Mum Samantha Gaynor has shared the teacher’s note to her Facebook page, where it has been receiving a lot of love!
It reads;
“Dear Parents,
After much research this summer, I am trying something new. Homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish during the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year.
Research has been unable to prove that homework improves student performance. Rather, I ask that you spend your evenings doing things that are proven to correlate with student success. Eat dinner as a family, read together, play outside, and get your child to bed early.
Thanks,
Mrs. Brandy Young”
I have to say, I love it. Mrs. Brandy Young is a bit of a legend in my eyes.
What do you think? Do you think your kids should or should not have homework to do every evening? Let us know what you think in the comments on Facebook.
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