Monday, March 06, 2006

HOMEWORK!

Further to Calidore's posting about homework, this item appeared in today's Canberra Times:

A new government school in Melbourne's south-west has banished traditional homework. The 820 students at Point Cook's Carranballac Prep to Year 9 College will be encouraged to spend more time with their families, playing board games, gardening and learning how to bake cakes and sew. College director Peter Kearney said it was "absolute rubbish" to give prep students daily homework, as recommended by the Education Department.

Do I hear a resounding three cheers for Mr Kearney?
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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great idea - in theory. However I suspect that the students will more likely be playing computer games than board games.

I sound cynical I know, but how many of those parents are ehome when their kids get home from school? I think if you could guarantee those kids would be learning life skills then go for it!

8:41 pm AEDT
Tanya said...

I agree with Flossy. Maybe their homework should be proof of playing board games, gardening, baking and sewing. And with the size we're getting these days, proof of doing exercise as well. Something needs to be done. My boss' 9 year old daughter has to write a report on a natural disaster, then build a model of said disaster, THEN create a Powerpoint presentation about the disaster for the class. Why should a fifth grader need to know anything about Microsoft Powerpoint??? Maybe I am getting too old....

12:22 am AEDT
Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

In this day and age homework is pilled onto children in such quantities that families don't get to spend any time together...so I think this is a great idea. Very good post.

1:27 pm AEDT
Calidore said...

The theory is good, but who is going to ensure that the kids are doing those family things. Give the man a bottle of champagne though for saying it was "absolute rubbish" to give students daily homework. I'm not against homework as such, just against the quantities that Elise is getting.

2:51 pm AEDT
WendyAs said...

Nothing wrong with a little homework. If given correctly it doesn't have to takeaway from "Family Time". It can promote family involvement. My prep student had to read a little book to me everyday for homework. It took about 5 min. The whole family would sit together and listen, comment, discuss. Often we would go on to do another activity around the story like drawing a picture.

7:22 am AEDT
Sandy said...

I think its a great idea because my family spends lots of time together. So much in fact that we have a hard time fitting homework in. I think life skills are very important and we should spend more time teaching our children things like cooking, banking, shopping etc. Most kids I know that are graduating are clueless about pretty much anything to do with running a household. Homework loads are huge even at a young age here. I agree with Wendy about reading though.

1:14 pm AEDT
Jessica Harwood said...

I agree that kids need time to play and spend with family. I think a little homework isn't a bad thing, but it is a shame when they pile it on in the younger grades.

The thing that has gotten out of hand in the US is after-school sports. When I was in school, I used to compete with the track team twice a week at other schools, often hours away. I'd study and play cards by flashlight on the bus, getting back late at night. I see the same thing with some my students now- they spend hours and hours at sports. When do they have time to play and spend time with family?

4:15 pm AEDT

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