One morning, after rocking you back to sleep sometime around 3 AM, I stood outside your door, realizing I couldn’t go back to sleep. So I decided to curl my hair to look different for photo day at school, and then I sat down by the living room window to blog. I had wanted to do it for a while, but whenever I had the time, I was too tired to stare at another screen. I felt like everything came together this morning, and I had no excuses. The post I wrote pushed me, and I decided I’d try to do this every Thursday—Just not at 3 in the morning.
The goal of blogging every Thursday came before I decided to join Amy in this year’s SOL challenge. Tonight, as I sorted the small moments in my day searching for some inspiration, I realized it was Wednesday night. I could treat this post as my weekly teaching reflection. The topic? Homework.
I glance at the book on my nightstand. Crimson typography indicates a loud stance. A [not so] subtle description next to the image of an elementary student presents itself as a provoking invitation to take action. I know how I feel about homework as a teacher, and now, as I picture you just like that boy with a ton of books in your backpack, I realize my newfound opinion about homework feels as bold as that all-caps crimson title.
This year, I found myself in the perfect environment (Gianna!) to reimagine homework for my 18 third-graders. I let go of everything we’re expected to do and just went with my gut. Every Monday, my students study a homework menu with 5-6 tasks and choose four they want to complete. They also decide when to work on those assignments and plan their week on their school planners. I could go into other details of this new view on after-school work, but I just want to share three ideas for reflection: (Thanks, George!)
- Homework can’t be “one size fits all.”
- Homework should not interfere with family dynamics at home.
- When students have a say, homework can actually be engaging.
I don’t know what your school life will be like, Elena—your Dad and I certainly have international school plans—but I hope you get a say in what pieces of school you bring home with you. I’ll advocate for you until you’re ready to do it yourself.
Start with a Story 
I also love the idea of reading as a family and I try to suggest ideas that parents (who don’t love reading) can get on board with—I bring this up every time a parent asks, “How can I make them enjoy reading?”
I say that at least in my experience with elementary students, a task that is assigned can often feel like a burden, and that sucks the joy out of anything.
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I appreciate your thoughts! Homework is one of those topics that makes me want to hear more and more perspectives because I feel like we can’t seem to get it right when we know there is so much wrong with current practices. Thank you!!
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Thanks for a thought-provoking post. My feelings about homework are so ambivalent–I love hearing others’ opinions and getting new perspectives. This line in particular stood out to me: “I realize my newfound opinion about homework feels as bold as that all-caps crimson title.” –I love how you connect the image of the book near you with your less-tangible thoughts.
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I am intrigued in the choice offered in homework. I am a huge fan of reading every day and wish even parents reading aloud to their children was required. Most important- “Homework should not interfere with family dynamics at home.” Thanks for sharing this idea.
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I noticed the voice of your writing first speaking to your child, then slowly becoming more universal. As a high school teacher, I am familiar with the tyranny of homework and the expectation that learning happens without guidance frustrated me continually during my career. Homework should be the work the student wants to complete on their own because they know what they need to do and the motivation is there (sorry this could turn into a rant and I want this to be about your writing here which is important). In the end, you gently return to your child addressing them by name and the care of a parent and teacher is everywhere in this piece.
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Yesss! Check out our HW slides haha. I adjusted and created a week, we’ll see how it goes! I’m hoping it makes the end of the day less of a battle!
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Wait, really? I want to hear your thoughts! I’m sure you have ideas that could make that weekly menu even better🙌🏼
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Could you tell this is what I came to your classroom yesterday to find out more about? Kim and I are going to start next week to see how it goes! We’ll be explaining how the third graders do it and using some examples to show them. Thank you for your inspiration! I’ll keep you updated on how the 5th graders like it.
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