Monthly Archives: April 2017
Curbing the Homework Battles with High Ability Kids
It’s no secret to parents of gifted kids that they often do not like or even feel the need to do homework and what may start as a simple assignment can quickly escalate to a full blown battle. Assessing the value of homework represents a great divide in education; expectations are rarely met. The purpose of homework is usually to reinforce lessons learned in class, but is this necessary for high-ability kids?
The effects of homework for our youngest students are unproven. Many believe time could be better spent in play and socialization activities. Homework may be more valuable at the secondary level for students considering higher education or to learn better work habits.
Socio-economic status can have a profound effect on the benefits of homework; many students must work and not all families have access to resources, such as Internet access at home, necessary to complete homework assignments.
Many believe that homework aids in student achievement. There are, however, many factors involved in realizing value from homework ~ i.e., subject matter, student ability. The quality of the homework assigned and an individual student’s needs affect the beneficial aspects of homework.
Should high ability students be required to do homework? Redundant, busy work provides few benefits to these students. They tend to work well independently in areas of interest. Meaningful, challenging work would provide greater benefits. High-ability students are often overloaded with homework; and experience high levels of stress, anxiety, health problems, and feelings of alienation.
Teachers can offer alternatives to homework. Younger students need to be actively engaged in ‘play’ time. Older students should be allowed to pursue passions so that they will be motivated to work outside classroom.
Homework is probably here to stay for the immediate future but educators are definitely taking a second look at when and what type of homework to give. A transcript of this chat may be found on our Storify page.
Global #gtchat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented is a weekly chat on Twitter. Join us Tuesdays at 8E/7C/6M/5P in the U.S. and Wednesdays at 13.00 NZDT/11.00 AEDT/1.00 UK to discuss current topics in the gifted community and meet experts in the field. Transcripts of our weekly chats can be found at Storify. Our Facebook Page provides information on the chat and news & information regarding the gifted community. Also, checkout our Pinterest Page and Playlist on YouTube.
About the author: Lisa Conrad is the Moderator of Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT and Social Media Manager of the Global #gtchat Community. She is a longtime advocate for gifted children and also blogs at Gifted Parenting Support. Lisa can be contacted at: gtchatmod@gmail.com
Links:
Homework: is it worth the hassle?
The question of homework: Should our kids have it at all?
31 Things Your Kids Should Be Doing Instead of Homework
The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children (pdf)
What Research Says about the Value of Homework: Research Review
Down with Homework: Teacher’s Viral Note Tells Of Growing Attitude
Parents in Spain go on Homework Strike
3 Scary Ways Homework Is Harming Your Family’s Health
Are Young Kids Doing Too Much Homework?
The Homework Gap: The ‘Cruelest Part of the Digital Divide’
Millions of Children Can’t Do Their Homework because They Don’t have Access to Broadband Internet
A New Program and a New Approach to Homework
Sprite’s Site: Sprite on the Subject of Homework!
Cybraryman’s The Homework Debate Page
You Probably Believe Some Learning Myths: Take Our Quiz to Find Out C BY-NC-SA 2.0
Graphic courtesy of Lisa Conrad.