Homework Battle
Teachers have been assigning homework to their students for decades. The purpose of homework is to reinforce skills taught in the classroom. It is not recommended to assign a new topic for homework only to frustrate the child. Homework should be a quick addition to the school day to keep skills sharp. Most teachers follow this rule.
Students have been completing all of their homework since…. never. :/ It always surprises me as an adult how many children do not complete all of their assignments, or none at all. It baffles me only because I refer to my growing up experience where the routine after school included snack, homework, and play time. I assume that is the reality for all of my students. Sadly, it is not. Our economy and current culture calls for a working parent household, where most often one parent is running the entire show. As mentioned in a previous post, students need structure and routine. As an adult, the work week can be unpredictable and throw off that student’s structure and routine. No one is at fault, it is just reality.
In knowing and accepting the reality of this situation, encouraging student independence and responsibility is high on my “To-Do” list as a third grade teacher. In fact, it is really a “MUST” list. At the beginning of the school year I really enjoy listening to all of the excuses students use for why their homework is not complete. My favorite is, “because we went to the store.” I see… so you went to the store for 7 hours after school? “Well, no, not really.” I see… so you HAD time. “No, because then I went to my sister’s uncle’s brother’s daughter’s neighbor’s house.” I see…so you went to the store and then to someone’s house. So why did you not do it there? “Oh, well I did not have my backpack.” I see… and the person did not have any paper or pencil in their home either, right? “Pretty much.” Excellent. Who knows what really went on, the point is the homework is not complete. Now, I don’t even listen to the excuses. Students walk over to my homework checking station in shame, and I already know what I am dealing with. “What assignment did you not do?” “All of it.” “Okay great. NEXT!” Students immediately know making up an excuse is a waste, that any real excuse is not excused unless with a legitimate note, and at this point I’m over it because you didn’t come to school ready to learn today. I can’t do my job, if you do not do yours. They then know the assumed consequence of a walking recess while completing the missing assignment.
[On a side note, I have a binder that has a spreadsheet listing student names down the side and the homework assignments for that day across the top. Each student is called back to my table one at a time, and hands in their homework. I check off on the sheet each category of homework that is turned in- reading, math, agenda signature, etc. If a student does not have an assignment, I highlight the box indicating a missing assignment. It pops off the paper and is easy for me at recess time to determine who owes me what assignment. This binder comes in handy during parent conferences because I can flip through and give a percentage of days the child did/did not complete all of their homework. That is a powerful visual for most parents.]
What gets me is the repeat offenders. As a kid, I remember being very embarrassed first time a teacher would have to remind me of something. There was never a second time, and my parents made sure of it. Why after a week of walking at recess, making up assignments, notes sent home, conferences scheduled is this child still not completing homework?? I send home pencils that are sharp, stacks of paper, books, and any other relevant material. If you lived on the side of a street in a cardboard box, I have given the necessary items to complete homework. Your brain is still working. You are still breathing. You. Are. Capable.
Students do not realize that they are letting themselves down. They are required to do something and they choose not to. They know better. They know what is required of them and it was a choice to not find a solution. If any child stopped to talk to an adult in their life about problem solving how to complete homework a) in enough time or b) without necessary materials ,then it would somehow get done. Or a note would accompany the homework and it would be excused.
The value placed on work done outside the school these days is minimal. Parents are very busy working and taking care of their family. That is why it is the child’s job to intervene and take care of their responsibilities. Parents might forget about homework, so remind them! Parents might not know you need something signed, so tell them! Parents might not know how important it is that you study for the big test tomorrow, so ask them for help! Basically, DO SOMETHING. Involve yourself in your own life. As I always tell my kids, I cannot follow you around living your life for you. You are old enough now to do what is needed to be done. Prove it to yourself how mature and responsible you are- you might just surprise yourself!
What are your homework battles in your classroom/home? How do you overcome them?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.