It seems as though I can’t log on to social media without the constant debate over homework. Everyone has an opinion, and it seems that it is a very strong opinion. Some teachers have stopped giving homework, and in some places, entire districts have stopped entirely.
Some people cite that students should have no homework and that there is no research-based evidence supporting benefits of homework. Other people teachers and parents that students need some homework to practice and help solidify the skills they have learned in class. These teachers believe in setting up good work habits and helping students to have a plan for approaching homework prior to middle school
What if there is some middle ground in this homework debate? What if it is not all or nothing? I have seen some really great alternatives to the traditional pen and paper homework and I would love to share what I have found.
Life Skills Activities
I was recently scrolling through a Facebook Group and a member shared a calendar of life skills she handed out each month instead of typical homework. These skills were meant to be completed weekly and empowered students to start to become more independent. Skills ranged from using a manual can-opener to doing a complete load of laundry. It included peeling a potato and washing dishes. I thought this was a lovely spin on classic “homework” and it showed parents that their children are able to complete some tasks on their own. It also showed kids how to “survive” in the world! If you are looking for something similar to this, I have just posted a Weekly Life Skill Assignment resource in our Free Resource Library! You can check it out here.
Kindness/Character Building Activities
Another great idea that I have read about is using homework as an opportunity to foster kindness and build student character. I find this particularly awesome because it allows families to work together to make their community a better place to live in. Students can be encouraged to help out a neighbor, pick up trash around their neighborhood, make bookmarks to distribute at the library, bake a treat for a friend, help out at local social service offices, and so much more. It would be simple to create a monthly sheet or calendar with ideas on it. Students could share their kindness ideas with the class and generate more ideas for future kindness calendars. It is often awesome to hear their ideas!
Non-Reading Logs
I think no matter what side of the homework debate you sit on, one thing is certain, reading should not be eliminated. Kids need to read more, not less, no matter how you feel about homework. I do not consider reading homework and I try really hard not to make it seem like a chore to my students. Several years ago, I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what to do about reading logs. I had fought the Reading Log Battle for so long. Assign the log. Make kids read. Parents sign log (whether the child read or not). Student turned in the log. Kids read or they did not read. My goal was to try to sway the relucatant readers to read.
This was the point at which my Reading BINGO Boards were born. This is a fun way to motivate your students without requiring them to record, or fake their reading. While I know that kids can still fake their reading and check off a box on the BINGO boards, I have seen the different ideas motivate many of my students. They come to school laughing and telling others that they read on top of the washing machine or they read in the bathtub with their pillows.
Fun Math Practice
Math fact practice is also a vital part of homework that shouldn’t fall by the way-side. Students love to do fun math apps and online games. Students love to “unlock” levels after finishing certain facts. They like to be able to beat their scores by learning their facts and increasing their automaticity. There are so many fun ways kids can practice their facts using a deck of cards or board games. Assigning games or sending home baggies of cards can be a “non-homework” option. I have also created a set of Math Fact BINGO boards that can be used with any math facts, though I used them mostly with multiplication.
I have my Math Fact BINGO Boards and Reading BINGO Boards bundled here.
Have a great day and I hope that you can find a place where you are comfortable on the “homework debate” spectrum.
~Heather Johnson
