With the return to school, the controversy of homework arises again: in favor or against children bringing homework? Many parents are opposed to this measure, and advocate afternoons of games and voluntary learning. And more and more schools are beginning to join this policy.
Two years ago we told you the story of a Texas teacher who had revolutionized social networks by making the decision to not send homework to your students. Today, this same teacher has given a twist to that decision, and is committed to individualized teaching to motivate children. I wish more teachers would think like her!
From "no duties" to individualized teaching
As we mentioned at the beginning, two years ago high school teacher Brandy Young He announced to the parents of his students that there would be no homework to do at home. The letter announcing this measure was titled "New homework policy", and quickly went viral on social networks, causing intense debate on the subject.
"Dear Parents: After much research this summer, I am going to try something new. Homework will consist only of work that the student does not finish during the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year."
"The research has failed to show that homework improves student performance. Rather, I ask you to spend your afternoons doing things that have been shown to correlate with student success. Dinner as a family, read together, play at outdoors, and take your child to bed early. Thank you. "
But two years after that, this Texas teacher has explained to the Today Parents that her no-homework policy has changed, and now she is committed to offer each student what they need or demand individually.
According to him, in these last two years he has met students who really demanded to do homework outside school hours, as well as with other children who needed extra reinforcement in a specific subject. And this led him to realize that individualized teaching is essential to have motivated students.
In cases like this, Brandy has never wanted to resort to the systematic sending of duties, but is committed to fluid communication with families to find the best way to motivate that child outside the classroom.
"I want my students to know that I care about them every second, and that parents trust me and let me become part of the family. I want communication between us to be fluid, because only then will we be able to better understand the needs of the child and help him succeed "- he explained.
For this teacher, the type of homework she sends in each specific case must be something "significant, attractive and relevant", that arouse the child's interest and make him learn with enthusiasm. And it is clear that the classic and boring duties that we all have in mind, do not work.
"Children can conquer mountains when they receive stimuli, options and support!" Express this high school teacher.But in addition to finding duties that are attractive and interesting for students who demand or need it, Brandy also takes into account the duration of those dutiesFor it is important to find a balance and not occupy the calendar of children with hours and hours of homework.
"I want my students to know that life is an act of balance, and with everything we do we are learning. And besides, I also love to see them shine outside the classroom!" - She was proud while watching one of her students play a baseball game.
But is it really possible?
I have to confess that I have never manifested a position contrary to the duties (although not favorable) because my son has always accepted very willingly the tasks that his teachers sent him to do at home. Moreover, I would say that I was almost looking forward to school to get back to work.
So when I have heard or read about the open war of some parents against the duties, still fully understanding and respecting their opinions, I have not felt identified.
But last year my son began to change his attitude towards this issue, and when he got home he had a hard time getting homework They had sent him at school. However, he loved spending the afternoon reading, writing stories or researching on geography and astronomy, two topics that began to fascinate him.
So I decided to talk with their teachers to look for ways to integrate traditional duties with your concerns and tastes, to continue maintaining their enthusiasm and desire to learn. And the truth is that we came up with the correct formula, although by then the course had already finished. We will see this year how it is presented, because something that had never worried me, has begun to do so.
And now I understand that for a child it can be tremendously demotivating finish your school day and continue doing the same repetitive duties at home. Not surprisingly, the WHO warned about it a long time ago, as Spanish students are the fifth in the OECD that have more homework, investing an average of 6.5 hours per week to this end.
That's why I liked this Texas teacher's way of acting and her philosophy with respect to the best way to motivate and excite children. Because if each student has a different rhythm and has different interests, why generalize the treatment and teaching?
As the current education system is raised, I understand that this issue is very difficult to carry out, but the truth is that on many occasions I think that, unfortunately, the school ends up killing the child's creativity, and not everything is a matter of "homework yes or no?"
Photos | iStock
