Homework

In accordance with our new homework practice, first graders at Stocklmeir Elementary do not have traditional, nightly homework.

Instead of traditional homework, we wish to encourage the following nightly practices with your child:

• Reading together - this should be a joyous activity, not a chore!
• Playing - (physical and imaginative, not screen time)
• Focusing on strong familial relationships
• Developing healthy habits and getting a good night’s rest

Why change our practice?

RESEARCH has produced no clear-cut consensus on the benefits of homework at the early elementary grade levels. The usual defenses of homework, that it promotes higher achievement, reinforces learning, and teaches study skills and responsibility, do not actually pass the tests of research, logic, or experience. Research shows that benefits of homework appear to only accrue at the high school level.

EQUITY- Students whose parents are available and able to help with homework have a distinct advantage over those whose parents work in the evenings or are unable to help with homework because of language barriers or their own lack of educational opportunities (Dumont et al., 2012).

FAMILY AND CHILD IMPACTS- There are many negative family and child impacts that arise from nightly homework. These include stress, lack of free play time (which may be developmentally inappropriate), battles over homework, loss of family quality time, and negative impacts on child’s feelings about school.