Editorials

Do you enjoy doing homework every night when you get home? Because I don’t. Here are some reasons why kids don’t try or even sometimes neglect homework.
 * Homework, Does it Increase Learning? **** By: Mackenzie **

To start with, most kids rush on their homework so that they can do other things that are more fun to them. One reason that kids would want to rush on their homework is so that they can go hang out with their friends. Most kids end up going off with their friends, and then they don’t feel like doing any homework. Another thing kids would rather be doing is hanging out with their family. To some this is ten times better, others would disagree. In the end, the majority of kids rush on homework because they are just not interested in doing it.

Also, kids do not enjoy doing homework because usually they don’t like the topic or the subject that they have to work on. Sometimes they simply don’t even understand it. This is the most common reason for most kids; they just don’t understand it. If kids do not enjoy what they are learning about they are most likely not going to want to or even try to do it. Another reason they don’t do their homework is because they are forgetful, which is not an excuse but is very true. Also, they might not understand it in class so when they take it home they still don’t understand it, even with help. Then they just decide not to do it.

Additionally, some kids might barely have time if they have multiple subjects of homework to do and if they don’t have a study hall they end up having to do it all at home. Another problem that they might come across is that they have sports, youth group, and other activities that they enjoy doing. Most kids have to help out around the house with chores and watching other siblings. When there is a book report, an essay to type, a math worksheet, and a social studies test to study for this may be hard for one kid to accomplish in one night.

In conclusion, these are just some of the many reasons why kids don’t do their homework, which doesn’t cause them to learn anything extra than what they have already learned at school.

Dear Editor,

Homework. The word alone instills fear into the hearts of students, young and old. If you’re a student, then you know what I’m talking about. Homework does not lead to increased learning. In fact, in some cases, homework even discourages learning.

An analyst on this subject is Alfie Kohn. He says that, "We've decided ahead of time that students will have to do something every night. Later on we'll figure out what to make them do." We know it causes stress and conflict, frustration and exhaustion. But at least, we tell ourselves, it teaches them independence and good work habits, "reinforces" what they've been taught, and helps them to become more successful learners… Or does it? Alfie Kohn wrote a book called //The Homework Myth.// This book states the benefits of not having homework, and the consequences of homework itself. It gives helpful insight into the world of overworked students and how homework is affecting them. Does it benefit or discourage them in the long run? The answer is that there //are// no benefits, and that it doesn’t increase learning in students.

A good example of this is found in Finland. Finland educates some of the highest-ranking test-takers in the world. The differences between Finnish and American education are enormous. Finnish high schoolers even get the pleasure of experiencing no more than a thirty minutes of homework a night. Not only that but children don’t start school until they’re seven. There are no classes for the gifted students and no recognition organizations for those who achieve. There also isn’t very much in the way of standardized testing. In other words, Finland educates its children with a model that is completely contrary to what we do here in America. Yet, out of 57 countries tested, Finland’s 15-year-old students produce some of the uppermost scores in the world. Isn’t that what America’s education system should be?

To put it briefly, homework is not altogether as educational and productive as we might currently think. Many new studies are showing that we may need to rethink our teaching strategies from now on.

Sincerely,

 Caleb

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No Homework Is Better For The Brain

The sky is bright and beautiful, and it's perfect temperatures outside. But what are most students across the United States busy doing? Homework. Forcing students to hit the books, instead of being outside enjoying the weather. Whether or not it is sunny outside, students need downtime. Typically, I get up at 7:00 AM to go to school, get out of school at 3:30 PM, and play sports until 6:00 PM. I still had to eat, do homework, and get ready to go to bed. I don’t get very much downtime at all. With that extra time I have after school, I could do what I want, instead of homework. There is no evidence that says homework helps you do better on a test. Instead, homework is more of a burden to students and makes some students lose interest in learning all together. A student is at school for most of the day learning, so why must they bring their work home with them. Schoolwork should stay at school.

Mikal