Dear VIN,
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Homework is like global warming. Many “experts” are afraid to come out against it, lest they be banished by the establishment.
I believe that homework can be unhealthy and sometimes traumatic. And the real question is, where is the data?
There have been tons of studies, and the results are inconclusive. Even the people who believe in homework admit that below 8th grade, the benefits are minimal.
So why are we making kids (and parentes and even teachers) suffer, when we don’t even know there is any benefit?
(To be clear, I am not criticizing hardworking Rebbeim, Morahs, and Menahelim. I have immense respect for their hard work and devotion to our children, and the sacrifices they make. I believe they are following a system, for the most part a great system. I am questioning one small yet highly stressful aspect of that system, not the people who execute it.)
The clinical data is mostly analyzing whether kids benefit ACADEMICALLY. But what about emotional health?
Is there a study that examines whether homework causes stress and anxiety? (Do we even need a study for this?) Kids come home exhausted, and then need to do even more work, rather than relaxing and enjoying life.
Bottom line, we know homework creates stress for families. Even if there are benefits, is it worth it?.
– A parent who questions the conventional wisdom
P.S. The one glaring exception would be kriah, which requires a lot of practice. A brief amount of kriah each night seems pretty beneficial.
I have been involved in education for many years. I personally believe that homework should be given. BUT, BUT that’s a but for the teacher and that’s a but for the parents. I feel homework should be given for the simple reason it keeps parents in the loop, involved and just to let them know that their child is learning something between the hours of 9am and 5 or 6 pm.. Without homework the only interaction with the teacher may be when there is an issue or when the teacher calls to let the parents know how the child did on a test, or. (Which is another thing that should be revised) Now the reason for NO. Many parents today are simply overwhelmed. In many homes the child or even the teacher that screams the loudest will have their homework done that night. Avos Ubonim is a great idea. However, I have witnessed many parents “trying” to learn with their son and as many have said we are trying to build a relationship with the children and along comes homework or avodas habayis and it destroys it. This last point can be addressed with a workshop how to do homework with your child. Finally the teachers. There are many teachers who abuse the word homework. It would be better to call it “hoursofwork” (hours of work) or avodas perach instead of avodas habayis.. I feel by abolishing homework altogether you are throwing out the baby with the bathwater. There are valid points on both sides of the issue.
In BYOBP, there is/was a morah, a daughter of Reb Matisyahu Salomon Shlit’a, who wouldn’t give homework. She said her father is against homework. I don’t remember the exact details of the reasoning behind it. Feel free to reach out to the family for the reasoning behind it.
Troll extraordinaire! Great topic to generate clicks on VIN.
Homework is the only “us” time for my parents and I. If you abolish homework then I will become more invisible than I am now. Make it volumes less, okay, abolish, NO!!!!!!
They should cut homework at least by half, for starters.
The teachers use homework as punishments, that’s another reason to cut down on homework.
The parents just can’t do so much homework.
Of course! I’ve been saying this for a long time. R matisyahu solomon shlita in lakewood said this too. Many years ago. No one listened.
homework is a dumb idea if the kids need to learn more just make school longer the parents shouldn’t be doing the teachers job.
Yawn. Total stupidity. A little homework is perfect to keep the material fresh in the students mind.
HomeReview it should be NOT homeWork! Children should be allowed to opt out once every two weeks. The workload should be diminished; say no more than X number of minutes, and parents should be be able to interact if they’re able but it should be the child’s work. Parents should not do homework for the children. They could be involved if it doesn’t lead to a conflict in the parent/child relationship! Children are home for too many hours without structure does not lead to healthy habits. Yesterday’s daf talked about what a non structured day can do to someone! Children need the structure.
Homework is important as the repeating of the day’s lessons makes it part of the child’s permanent knowledge.
There are two major problems with homework. Some teachers give too much homework. This is especially a problem when a student has more than one teacher and each teacher (or rebbe) gives an amount of work as if he (she) was the only teacher giving homework.
The second problem is when the homework is designed to be done either with or by the parent. Teachers (and Rebbeim) are totally oblivious to the fact the homework is NOT for the parent; it’s for the student. Giving homework designed for the parent totally negates the very purpose of homework. Also, when there are multiple children in the home this just leaves everybody, student and parent, frustrated.
There is no reason to give homework. Homework should be HOME work. Chill with your family, help out at home, relax, etc… the kids are in school in the USA more than enough hours ! They should study in school. If the school wants to keep the parents ” in the loop” , send home a newsletter
I hear your points but I really don’t get the global warming analogy.
My kid’s school has no homework, only from 5th grade and up.
Homework is beneficial. 24 hours is too long when learning new material, our working memory is small and forgetting starts immediately.
Many parents take over the homework doing, look up helicopter and lawnmower parents. Aside for youngest grades, the children work independently in school and can at home too but are very smart and happy to unload onto parents.
What will your child do woth the extra “free” time? Chessed? Bc being on devices is NOT healthy in any way,
Cut out the global warming analogy .
Chazara, chazara and then… Chazara
Thank you phd in education for your thoughtful advise. We are currently growing the most un educated and nearly illiterate young adults add that to the Covid shut down test scores have fallen significantly. Guess you haven’t read the latest pronouncements issued just last week