Have you seen Race To Nowhere? The documentary film that was making the rounds last year and talking about the way our current school system has overwhelmed and overloaded kids with a false sense of what’s necessary in order to “succeed”. And I put succeed in quotes because I think it’s one term that everyone really needs to define for themselves.
The documentary has sparked a movement in this country and now the filmmakers have started a splinter movement and made a short video about Healthy Guidelines for Homework which they are presenting to the National PTA in an effort to create national guidelines around homework. They’ve got the homework king on their team – Alfie Kohn and many others who speak eloquently and intelligently about the research findings on the value of homework. Which seems to be very little before high school and even then, needs to be a lot more thoughtful than it currently seems to be.
Watch for yourself. And leave your thoughts here about homework in your child’s life and in your family’s life.
5 Comments to 'Homework. And family life.'
June 20, 2012
Alfie & company make a very good case against the overuse of homework. Thanks for helping spread the word.
June 20, 2012
This is one reason why I have homeschooled my 14 year-old-daughter since grade 2. Her schooled friends are always asking her if she gets homework. Our lives are full, yet not frantic. I am able to work part-time. Our relationship has grown. She works above grade level and has time to pursue her passions and interests.
June 21, 2012
I love it when my son does a larger piece like a Science Fair or Research Project. These are fun for the children because it becomes a family adventure. We work together (my children are in grade school).
As it stands, however, my children are in Kindergarten and 2nd grade. My youngest brought homework home twice a week and my 2nd grader had to do 50 book reports, 3 major projects, and homework Monday through Thursday. To me, this is excessive and ridiculous.
June 27, 2012
Thanks for sharing this video –I sent it on to our PTA pres (local elem school) to see if she’s aware of it.
June 29, 2012
I think this video makes so much sense. It reminds me that sometimes common sense isn’t so common. The school day is long. It should be enough to let our kids be themselves when they get home. I totally agree we don’t give kids today time to discover their own passions, and that is a shame.
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