Frazz by Jef Mallett for September 02, 2014

Homework is good but it should be more mental than written….

I’ve read some articles that say math homework is the only homework that is helpful.

There are three excuses for homework in my opinion. First is because it’s something that couldn’t be done in class, like when my sister was assigned to watch “Roots” on TV back in the day, well after class time. Second would be allowing students to take their tests home and correct them AFTER they are graded. This would let them learn the facts they missed, reinforcing the knowledge, and make up some (or all) of the score. Last is extra credit assignments. Anything else should stay in the classroom.

“New school-year’s resolutions” That’s good! As a student, the new school year was always more important, more defining, than the new calendar year. -

It’s really not the same, of course, but “Lose this list” made me think of “The Wizard of Oz” – Cowardly Lion: All right, I’ll go in there for Dorothy. Wicked Witch or no Wicked Witch, guards or no guards, I’ll tear them apart. I may not come out alive, but I’m going in there. There’s only one thing I want you fellows to do. Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow: What’s that? Cowardly Lion: Talk me out of it!

As I recall it, they weren’t supposed to give you more than 2 hours homework, naturally every teacher figured that his subject was the only one that counted…

Two decade teacher here — in the ideal world homework is used to reinforce/review that day’s lesson. It can also be assigned as part of a long-term project. Parents are expected to assist when needed (even if it’s just providing encouragement & an appropriate place for the job to be done). Unfortunately, in many of our inner-city schools, that parent support is lacking – for several reasons, including language and educational deficits. I’ve had parents tell me flat out, “You’re the teacher. I’m not going to do your job after I’ve finished mine.” There are after-school clubs that can supply the support, but they are poorly attended.I teach a Special Ed class and limit my homework assignments to twice a week, but may cut that down after assessing all the above mentioned factors.

@SusanSunshine(Yesterday’s post) Sonoma County has the best farmers markets and the best vendor of all is Franco’s One World Sausage. But I may be prejudiced because he is my bro-in-law. :-)