5 of 48

Write now Article Tools

Homework does indeed improve academic achievement if it is the right type of homework. Students quickly learn to resent teachers that pile homework on their students night after night, especially when the assignment doesn't seem to have a purpose.

Homework will improve academic achievement if it is:
~collected and returned to the student in a timely manner. This shows students that the teacher thinks the assignment is valuable.

~looked at and commented on. Teacher support is important to all students!
~purposeful. Students are often more willing to put forth effort if they can see the value in doing so. "Busy-work" is a quick turn off for many students!
~a set amount of problems. Endless drills discourage students and many don't even bother trying because the assignment takes so long to complete. Assign only as many problems as it takes to make sure they understand the concept. In other words, don't drill them to death!

Homework should:
~Never be used as a punishment.
~Should never be used to teach something that the teacher didn't get to in class.
~be a review of what was learned.

FYI:
A quick rule of thumb is that no more than 10 minutes of homework time should be assigned to each grade level.

10 minutes per night= 1st grade
20 minutes per night= 2nd grade
30 minutes per night= 3rd grade
40 minutes per night= 4th grade
50 minutes per night= 5th grade
60 minutes per night= 6th grade
70 minutes per night= 7th grade
80 minutes per night= 8th grade
90 minutes per night= 9th grade
100 minutes per night= 10th grade
110 minutes per night= 11th grade
120 minutes per night= 12th grade

Learn more about this author, Schneider.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Does homework actually improve academic achievement??
We want to hear your view. Write now!