Kristi's Korner
November 23, 2015
Quote of the Week
I hate when teachers complain about having so much work to grade. We had to do it. You're just checking it. Suck it up.
Emotionally drained, worried sick, and thinking of nothing else. The impact of homework.
If you really love me, you will come do my homework for me. This will determine who my real friends are.
Teacher: Why didn't you do your homework?
Student: Sorry, but Kanye West didn't let me finish....
--Quotes from various students
Ramblings
Back in the decade in which I was a teen, trying to remain a bit evasive about my age, I tight-rolled my jeans. I thought it looked good. I was cool. I had it all going on. Now I do not look back at that time with shame. Would I tight-roll today? Of course not. However, I do not hang my head in shame. As the saying goes, when you know better you do better. This saying works in the near distant past of pregnant women. Not long ago, women smoked and drank throughout their pregnancy. They just didn't know.
Now, I bring these up because that is how I sort of view homework. We did it. We have been there. But, maybe now we proudly throw it away.
I may not have convinced you at this point. You may think that homework has power. If this is you, I ask you to read on and consider revamping your homework practice then. Consider some of the following ideas:
1. Authentic Homework: Write a persuasive paragraph why your favorite video game is the best video game. Watch your favorite television show and write the characters, setting, problem, and solution. You get the drift.
2. Opt Out: Opting out is the default of homework. If parents want to opt in, go for it. Make it a choice. This solves the parents want it issue.
3. Provide a Menu: Remember the power of choice.
4. Flip It: Instead of applying institution of school to home, let's apply the institution of home to school. Interview a family member. Write an addition problem of something that happened at your home last night.
All of us know that school has amped up. What used to be first grade is not kindergarten and so on and so on. School is rigorous and much is expected from students. For this reason alone, doesn't it make sense to let the school day belong to school and home to belong to home?
If any of this strikes a chord, I have some additional resources below. Or, if you want to bounce some ideas off of someone, I would love to chat.
Additional Resources on Homework
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faP8VuVI3ZM (video of a child's perspective)
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/kitchen-table-connections-re-envision-homework-clare-roach (article...if you only have time for one, read this one) (Thanks Denise!)
http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/09/should-i-stop-assigning-homework/279803/ (article)
http://edge.ascd.org/blogpost/five-reasons-i-don-39-t-assign-homework (article)
http://www.joebower.org/p/abolishing-homework.html (links to blogs)
http://www.brilliant-insane.com/2015/03/hey-teachers-stop-asking-parents-to-do-your-homework.html (article)
News and Notes
--Gobble, Gobble, Gobble...No PLC's Thanksgiving week.
--Buddy Day....It has arrived, Monday. Looking forward to all our good deeds. Please let me know should you need my service.
--Enjoy the time with your family this upcoming weekend. Do something for yourself.
PD on the Couch
Written for first years but great for us all to keep in mind: http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/10-things-every-new-teacher-needs-know?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=CPC
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