Parentella

One of the best things about summer, of course, is the absence of homework and monthly book reports. I used to get those “summer slide” workbooks, but by freeing ourselves of all of the recommendations, I’m finding the girls are actually learning this summer. All by themselves.

When my oldest daughter was making pancakes, she had to figure out how to measure cups and teaspoons without having those actual sizes available to her (for example, combining 1/4 and 1/2 cup of flour to get 3/4 cup). She is required to read 3 books over the summer break, but she is responsible for figuring out how much to read each day to accomplish the goal. She is also becoming more interested in current events now that I can watch the news every day because the girls aren’t buried in their homework.

My younger daughter has been reading for pleasure, finishing her Math workbook from 5th grade for her own amusement, and regularly writing in her journal.  She also makes up her own Math games. I implemented a new “earn an allowance” policy, and she figured out how much she could make for the summer if she did the highest amount possible, the minimum amount possible, and an average of the two.

I read recently in the New Yorker one writer’s belief that children’s imagination is to utilize language from which they don’t have personal experience. Summer allows them to create their own experiences when left to their own imagination.

Los Angeles Unified School District recently announced a new homework policy that limits homework effect on final grades to 10%. It recognizes that not all students have a quiet place and time every night to complete their homework. That’s not to say, that a student won’t be affected if they don’t complete their homework, but the policy forces homework to be balanced against other factors that should go in grading; quality of work, class participation, etc.

Homework is one of those areas where I think some teachers/schools rely too heavily on parental involvement. It assumes that someone is available to help from after-school to bedtime. It assumes that we have no other children that might also need our help. It assumes that we understand the assignment given and can offer a teacher’s skill level of assistance. It assumes that we understand the terminology the teacher used, even if the teaching methodologies have changed greatly since we were in school. It even assumes that the type of homework given will actually strengthen the learning process when helping me reduce a recipe might offer a greater comprehension of fractions.

During the summer is when I get to really assess what my children have actually learned. I can see it in the texts they send (I reply with any corrections in spelling), I can hear it in what they say and whether or not their vocabulary is accurate, and I even benefit from it when they help me google directions or other info.

Just like training can’t replace on the job experience, homework can’t replace the act of obtaining knowledge. It can help…but probably by only about 10%.

April McCaffery is the single mother to two daughters, going into 6th & 9th grade.