2nd Grade Teacher Says No Home Work This Year. HUH?

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A second grade teacher has told the parents upfront that there will be no homework unless the child/student is completing work from the school day.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/second-grade-teachers-unique-homework-policy-goes-viral/

Call me old school (literally old) but to me homework is part of the process of learning period, not just in school but in life. One cannot rely what one is fed during one class, seminar, book, symposium, lecture etc. One thing I've noticed in life in general those that excel in the real world have mastery of detail & their subject matter. Many students will become academic zombies assuming they will learn all they need to know in class from one teacher. This also perpetuates collectivism or every kid gets a trophy mindset. I'll be the first to admit too much homework or new material for homework can be frustrating but it is part of learning in school and real life.
 

In 2nd grade I'm not so sure her idea is a bad thing. From what I've seen elsewhere, the over abundance of homework can put a burden not just on students but on parents as well. I would be interested to see how her students do against a more traditional class where homework is assigned. I can remember doing homework from as early as first grade, but it was usually manageable.
 
Bobw235 said:
In 2nd grade I'm not so sure her idea is a bad thing. From what I've seen elsewhere, the over abundance of homework can put a burden not just on students but on parents as well. I would be interested to see how her students do against a more traditional class where homework is assigned. I can remember doing homework from as early as first grade, but it was usually manageable.
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'it was usually manageable' . And that's the key. I think new material is where students and teachers get messed up. I saw a math expert on tv years ago and was saying math texts should have more questions reviewing and/or reinforcing old material ie the basics. I'm sure the same could be said for most subjects. Mastery of the basics.
 

As a senior, my interest in what is taught to primary school students is almost zero --- lets leave it to the younger generation to worry about it and focus on our own issues, which are growing as we age. Much of the old school attitudes just don't hold true and I don't think they ever did. Things certainly changed for the better since I went to primary school.
 
Cookie said:
As a senior, my interest in what is taught to primary school students is almost zero --- lets leave it to the younger generation to worry about it and focus on our own issues, which are growing as we age. Much of the old school attitudes just don't hold true and I don't think they ever did. Things certainly changed for the better since I went to primary school.
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As seniors we should be imparting our knowledge, wisdom and experience to that younger generation that will be taking care of many of us wether it be medically or designing and building the vehicles & roads we must take to get the hospital. Many think we already have a dumbed down generation of cupcakes that can't endure much of anything.
 
Cookie said:
As a senior, my interest in what is taught to primary school students is almost zero --- lets leave it to the younger generation to worry about it and focus on our own issues, which are growing as we age. Much of the old school attitudes just don't hold true and I don't think they ever did. Things certainly changed for the better since I went to primary school.
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My granddaughter completed second grade and will be starting third next week. They all use tablets now so you know things have changed a lot. Some good, some not so good I'm afraid. Math is a concern and I am sorry I cannot tell you anything about it except they no longer focus on basics, like time tables, etc. They skim over it, at least that is the impression I have gotten. My other granddaughter graduated in June and she had problem remembering them and they passed her anyway.

i am concerned about schools, I pay a lot of taxes. I expect they are properly educated because with the world today, they have to excel at something, we owe that to them. (the community) Education is very important, and as a grandmother I have tried teaching them many things. We have first hand knowledge (well, almost) because we lived a lot more history than they have. Yes a lot has changed and while our children are raised, I still want to be assured my tax dollars are well spent.
 
Re: No homework-
I taught school at all grades for almost 40 years. I rarely assigned homework. I found that when kids actually did the homework, they often did it wrong, and I know for a fact that things learned wrong are very hard to unlearn so they can be done right.
Especially in high school, many of my students worked after school or had other family duties at home, so homework just didn't get done. Why assign homework if it's not going to be done? Even if the kids didn't have work or other duties, much of the time they just didn't get the homework done.
Of course, for certain projects like research papers and other long-term assignments, some of the work had to be done out of class- no problem with that. But as far as assigning every night homework- none of that for me.
I always tried to get my work done in class so I could see what the kids were doing and make corrections as needed.
Lord, I am glad I am out of that business now. I do miss the kids, but I don't miss the paperwork and documentation that is required now.
good evening to all- Ed
 
Research on the benefits of homework does not confirm most people's expectations of the benefits of assigned homework.

Most researchers conclude that for primary students, there is no evidence that homework lifts academic performance. There is only a small correlation between homework and achievement in middle school (Cooper, 1989; Walker, 2011). Only in the senior years of high school does homework clearly raise academic performance.

https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/curriculum/schools/homework/Hwk_Res%20scan.pdf
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Also

Others doubt that there is credible evidence that homework yields non-academic benefits (Blazer, 2009). Hattie (2009) concludes that there is no evidence that homework helps students develop time management skills. One recent Australian study found that there has been no research done on whether homework teaches responsibility, self-discipline, or motivation (Moorman & Haller, 2011). Nevertheless, there is some evidence, in the case of US after-school homework programs, that homework improves students’ motivation, self-confidence, and study habits. There is, however, no consistent proof that it lifts academic performance (Blazer, 2009).
As a teaching strategy, homework can have major limitations. Since the work is done in the absence of a qualified teacher and there is no control over who actually completes the homework (Blazer, 2009; Hattie, 2009) cheating is likely to be commonplace (Blazer, 2009; Cooper, 1989; Forster, 2000).
Opponents also warn that homework can inhibit independent learning because students become preoccupied with work assigned by someone else (Blazer, 2009). It can curtail the time available for other activities, such as sports and community activities (Blazer, 2009; Cooper, 1989; Cooper & Valentine, 2001; Dixon, 2007; Forster, 2000). There is evidence that homework does cause stress for students (Blazer, 2009) and it may even create tension between parent and child (Blazer, 2009; Cooper, 1989).
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Most homework for young children is given because the parents expect it. At best it is usually 'busy work' of little educational value. The parents would do better by encouraging their children to read more.
 
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