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I've been meaning to ask cantalop this for ages but keep forgetting. The 'Hated' thread prompted my brain cell to bounce around.
So... Why are kids given homework?
I'm asking this question from a 'Primary/First and Middle School' point of view but I'd be interested in your (everyone's), views/reasons behind Secondary Schools too.
I was at a parents meeting a few weeks back, the subject of homework came up and a few feathers were ruffled. It's been a sore subject for years with the parents I know, maybe with more? I can't speak for all parents obviously but I can speak with some qualification (excuse the pun), for the 50 odd parents I know at this particular school/year group.
One thing that is never answered with any conviction (or in my opinion, 'honesty'), is why the kids are given homework.
I politely asked if it was a question of there not being enough hours in the school day but the session was being run like a 'BBC Question Time' program in that questions/comments were given by the parents/carers but very few answers came back due to time constraint (although I fully appreciate that teachers and the head want to be away especially after 6.00pm).
If it is a question of not enough hours in a school day why not just extend each day through to say 4 or 5pm? I accept that your 'working' day isn't 9am till 3.30pm canta and you don't/can't just rush off home at 3.30 but ALL jobs regardless of what you do, require some planning, thinking, worrying, stressing but for 'most' jobs, you need to somehow fit those additional factors into the working day/week/month/year. Working for yourself is different of course, you never seem to stop working but that's a career choice.
I'm not having a go at teachers, I'm genuinely curious as to why homework is given out. It impacts family life 'outside' of school. Personally I spend a fair portion of my time at my son's school as I'm asked to attend trips (they like to have a male presence), help out with school fairs, help set up school plays etc.
I'm all for the parent-teacher relationship being a two way thing. I give more of my time 'directly' to my son's school than many of the other parents but then I have the time at the minute and the financial comfort that many do not. However, it still bothers me that school impacts on family life outside of the school hours ie during the week, at weekends, during holidays etc. Obviously I've asked this question in the past but none of the teachers seem very keen on giving an answer.
I've been told that it is a Ofsted requirement but if that is the case... why? I mean what is the purpose? On the other hand, I've also been told that homework is NOT compulsory/required but it is 'encouraged' by the government. Again... why? Even the government's own website tells me effall as to WHY homework is compulsory/encouraged... http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_179508
Being a bloke who I know is frank, honest and factual, I'd particularly appreciate your answers canta but obviously I'm keen to hear all input. Thank you in advance.
So... Why are kids given homework?
I'm asking this question from a 'Primary/First and Middle School' point of view but I'd be interested in your (everyone's), views/reasons behind Secondary Schools too.
I was at a parents meeting a few weeks back, the subject of homework came up and a few feathers were ruffled. It's been a sore subject for years with the parents I know, maybe with more? I can't speak for all parents obviously but I can speak with some qualification (excuse the pun), for the 50 odd parents I know at this particular school/year group.
One thing that is never answered with any conviction (or in my opinion, 'honesty'), is why the kids are given homework.
I politely asked if it was a question of there not being enough hours in the school day but the session was being run like a 'BBC Question Time' program in that questions/comments were given by the parents/carers but very few answers came back due to time constraint (although I fully appreciate that teachers and the head want to be away especially after 6.00pm).
If it is a question of not enough hours in a school day why not just extend each day through to say 4 or 5pm? I accept that your 'working' day isn't 9am till 3.30pm canta and you don't/can't just rush off home at 3.30 but ALL jobs regardless of what you do, require some planning, thinking, worrying, stressing but for 'most' jobs, you need to somehow fit those additional factors into the working day/week/month/year. Working for yourself is different of course, you never seem to stop working but that's a career choice.
I'm not having a go at teachers, I'm genuinely curious as to why homework is given out. It impacts family life 'outside' of school. Personally I spend a fair portion of my time at my son's school as I'm asked to attend trips (they like to have a male presence), help out with school fairs, help set up school plays etc.
I'm all for the parent-teacher relationship being a two way thing. I give more of my time 'directly' to my son's school than many of the other parents but then I have the time at the minute and the financial comfort that many do not. However, it still bothers me that school impacts on family life outside of the school hours ie during the week, at weekends, during holidays etc. Obviously I've asked this question in the past but none of the teachers seem very keen on giving an answer.
I've been told that it is a Ofsted requirement but if that is the case... why? I mean what is the purpose? On the other hand, I've also been told that homework is NOT compulsory/required but it is 'encouraged' by the government. Again... why? Even the government's own website tells me effall as to WHY homework is compulsory/encouraged... http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Schoolslearninganddevelopment/SchoolLife/DG_179508
Being a bloke who I know is frank, honest and factual, I'd particularly appreciate your answers canta but obviously I'm keen to hear all input. Thank you in advance.