[url=https://flic.kr/p/r6shHf][img]https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8610/16470630808_ff856fd3bc_z.jpg[/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/r6shHf]”I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.” – Author Unknown[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/life-long-learners/]Brian Metcalfe[/url], on Flickr

 

I’ve been thinking more about Homework and why I hate it so much. Then, I began to look at it from different standpoints: teacher, student, parent.

Why Teachers Hate Homework

No, I do NOT speak for all teachers. In fact, I know several teachers who advocate homework. This is a collection of reasons I have heard several teachers make:

• The parents end up doing it for the kids.
• We have to take time out of our learning day to correct it.
• The same kids consistently DON’T complete the homework. It becomes a (losing) battle.
• If we don’t correct it together, I have to take time out to do this menial task.
• [at middle school] One kid does the homework and their friends copy it before school starts.
• [at middle school] The kids stopped hiding the fact that they copy it.
• The kids who need the practice either don’t do it or do it wrong.
• The kids who don’t need the practice do it – what a waste of time for them.

Why Students Hate Homework

Yes, there are some students who like homework.

• It’s boring
• Who wants to do a worksheet?
• It’s too hard and there is no one at home to help them.
• They are in charge of younger siblings.
• They may have several responsibilities to do once they get home.
• They’d rather be playing (wouldn’t we all?)
• It’s not meaningful.

Some other points I thought of:

• Not all students have a home to complete their work.
• Not all homes have a quiet space to complete work.
• This is an intrusion on family time. As a teacher, I get upset when a parent tries to intrude in my area (classroom).
• If I were to work all day, like the students do, and then were asked to go home and do more work on my time, I’d be a bit put-out.

Why Parents Hate Homework

Yes, there are some parents who request more (and I have my own thoughts on that).

• It becomes a nightly battle.
• There is yelling, screaming, and crying. Who wants that in their home?
• It can take ‘forever’
• Everyone is tired when they get home.
• You have to find the ‘right’ time to do homework.
• There is always something to do – ballet, baseball, etc.
• It’s frustrating
• The higher kids get more homework

Thank you to Amy (Jenkins) Shwartzhoff for her insight from the parent perspective.