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Should Elementary Students Have Homework?

Source 1: Homework? Yes Please!

by Rachel Green

Recently, studies have shown that homework might not be so beneficial for student achievement. If it is not helping students achieve, why assign it? Supporters of homework say that there are more benefits that stretch beyond just how students score on tests.

For one, homework helps students develop skills they will need later in life. By completing homework, students practice valuable study habits. They learn to research and problem solve. They get to know themselves as learners. Homework also gives students practice in planning and organization. All of these skills will help them be successful in high school and college.

In addition, homework helps a child develop self discipline. By requiring students to turn assignments in on time, they learn to manage their time wisely. They also learn the discipline to do things they may not want to do but have to. Homework teachesn students how to work independently and to take responsibility for their work. These lessons can help them develop the work ethic to be successful in future careers.

Finally, homework is a bridge from home to school. It allows parents a chance to glimpse what goes on in the classroom. This gives parents insight into their child's world. By monitoring a child's homework, parents can know what skills their child is learning and support the learning process at home. Parents can also recognize when a student is struggling and provide help so that students don't fall behind. Then connection between home and school makes homework important.

One principal puts it this way: "Is (homework) going to cause a great leap in (students') achievement? No it is not," he said. "What it's really doing is shaping their behavior, so they begin to learn how to study at home."

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The leaders in your school district are considering the pros and cons of homework in elementary school. Write an essay for school district leaders to give your opinion about whether or not elementary students should have homework.
Use information from the passages in your essay.
Manage your time carefully so that you can • read the passages;
• plan your response;
• write your response; and
• revise and edit your response.
Be sure to include
• an introduction;
• support for your opinion using information from the passages; and
• a conclusion that is related to your opinion.
Your response should be in the form of a multi-paragraph essay. Write your response in the space provided.

Source 3: One Teacher's Controversial Homework Policy

by Joey Tribbiani

In 2016, Brandy Young, a second grade teacher in Texas, sent home the following note with her students:

Dear Parents, After much research This summer, I om frying something new. Homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish durlng the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year. Research has been unable fo prove that homework improves student performance, Rather, I ask that you spend your evenings dong Things that are proven to correlate student success. Eat dinner as a family read together,play outside, and get your child to bed early

Thanks, Mrs. Brandy Young

Many parents supported this policy. One mom stated, "l am 100% behind this. I have so little time with my kids in the evening that I really resent spending any of that time battling with them to do homework, after they've spent six hours during the day on academics." Other parents took to social media praising this policy and wishing for it in their own kids' schools.

As with any controversial topic, not everyone is quick to praise the no-homework policy. One professor at Duke University feels that homework, in small amounts, is necessary. "Homework is a lot like medication," Harris M. Cooper said. "If you're taking too much, it can kill you. If you take too little, it has no effect."

Other education leaders feel that homework is 0k as long as it follows certain guidelines. Homework should be age appropriate and not take up too much time. Students should be able to complete it themselves. It should be relevant and support the curriculum. It should be checked and given feedback, and it should not just be busy work. As long as these requirements are met, there's nothing wrong with a little homework.