Spencer, J. (2011, September 19). Ten reasons to get rid of homework (and five alternatives) . Retrieved from http://www.educationrethink.com/2011/09/ten-reasons-to-get-rid-of-homework-and.html
In the article, John Spencer describes how he feels teachers should get
rid of homework and gives nine reasons for his opinion. He shows how
busy children already are and he feels that their work should be packed
into their school day. This gives them time outside of school to play
and reflect on their own. Another reason to get rid of homework that
Spencer provides is that the homework process is inequitable for the
students. At home, students have a variety of resources at home to help
them study and do their homework. Some may have parents that are college
graduates and many may have no parents at home until very late at
night. Spencer also feels that homework is de-motivates and does not
raise achievement because it is not self-directed. He feels that a more
effective way to raise achievement and motivate the student would be to
let them choose a book to read for fun.
Instead of homework, Spencer advocates allowing the learning to happen
naturally outside of school, through the student’s experiences. He also
feels it would be a benefit to make homework an extracurricular activity
instead of a forced and graded assignment. Most of all, he feels the
inequity of the homework process needs to be fixed.
Ideas for replacements to homework:
1. Extra credit service learning opportunities
2. Journaling about experiences outside school
3. Require them to visit a city monument and write about it
4. Tutor younger students after school
5. Adopt a conservation program in their home and write about it.
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