This is not going to be a post about how I am against homework. (Although, I do have mixed feelings about it.)
This is not a post about how we need to make homework more meaningful for our students. (Although it may get there eventually.)
It’s about the societal attitude in this country (and possibly others) towards homework as stated by my now six-year-old son.
You see, just the other night, for his 6th birthday, he was given a Big Nate Boredom Buster book, an activity book of sorts by Lincoln Peirce. It is far above his level, but he loves it. Right away he took the book and started writing in it with his pencil.
“Mommy, is this homework?”
“No sweetie, you don’t have homework yet.”
“Good. Homework is boring.”
And there you have it. My six-year-old already has it in his head that homework is boring.
Where does this come from – this bad attitude toward homework?
Is this a work ethic problem or an issue that schools need to deal with? or both?
It saddens me to know the uphill battle I undoubtedly will face once my kids do start getting homework. I am a believer in meaningful homework: homework that provides purposeful practice, that challenges students and inspires them to work hard. (I told you we’d get here…but I’ll save that for another post.) But let’s face it, not all students get that type of homework, nor do they expect it.
How do we change this bad attitude towards homework? I would love your thoughts here!
~EMP
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Elizabeth Peterson has devoted her life to education and to reaching out to other teachers who want to remain inspired. Mrs. Peterson teaches fourth grade in Amesbury, Massachusetts and is the host of www.theinspiredclassroom.com. She holds an M.Ed. in Education, “Arts and Learning” and is currently enrolled in a C.A.G.S. program through Plymouth State University with a focus in “Arts Leadership and Learning.” Elizabeth is author of Inspired by Listening, a teacher resource book that includes a method of music integration she has developed and implemented into her own teaching. She teaches workshops and courses on the integration of the arts into the curriculum, leads an arts integration PLC (PLaiC) and is adjunct faculty for PSU. Mrs. Peterson believes there is a love of active, integrated learning in all children and from their enthusiasm, teachers can shape great opportunities to learn. 
I was just speaking with a colleague about the great debate of homework. His discovery was interesting. Once he stopped counting homework as a grade, more students completed it. Then, homework was viewed as a true tool for assessing what was learned in class, which then guided instruction more accurately.
That is interesting. Homework can be a very complicated topic. I’d be interested in hearing more about what you’ve found to be true about homework in your classroom/school. Thanks for the comment!
I found that homework is better received when students (and parents) know what is coming. For the most part, I keep homework on a regular schedule. On Fridays, they know what the upcoming homework will be for the following week. There are daily add-ons, of course, but it teaches students time management.