I have been fighting the issue of homework since the beginning of school. Students have homework every school night. They have to have their planner signed, read their reading paper with their parents and have that signed, do their 1 minute reading fluency and have it also signed. Our homework policy is that if children do not return their homework every morning signed they do not get a recess. They have to stand "on the line" for the entire recess. I do not like this policy for 2 reasons, 1) the majority of our parents do not participate in their children’s education at all. Several have even told us "they won’t be signin nothin". 2) Children need chances to run around and get their energy out. We are constantly telling them to be still, but then take away the one time they are allowed to move around.
Why do we continue to punish the child when their parents refuse to follow through and why make both the child's day and the teacher’s day more stressful by not letting them get their energy out??
But... According to the data I have collect... I am wrong.
More children bring their homework when there is a consequence of missing recess.
While this KILLS ME, I can not deny that my theory (at this time and with this class) is faulty.
So we go back to standing on the line. Hopefully the number of homework turned in will increase with the reinforcement of a consequence.
- A sad/ frustrated/ disappointed/ humbled Miss Hansen
This is so upsetting! I was with you 100% on this issue. I have realized that rewards and consequences are a better motivator than our professors like to think.
ReplyDeleteI still would not use this policy in my classroom. I know it is too late for you to try, but maybe trying to capitalize on this time and make the students do the homework they should have done at home on a clipboard during recess? At least there would be a more direct correlation?