Alfie Kohn The Homework Myth

Kohn's incisive analysis reveals how a mistrust of children, a set of misconceptions about learning, and a misguided focus on competitiveness have all left our kids with less free time and our families with more conflict.Pointing to parents who have fought back--and schools that have proved educational excellence is possible without homework--Kohn shows how we can rethink what happens during and after school in order to rescue our families and our children's love of learning. Amid the vituperative scorn poured upon the ignorant oafs that sire delightful children who are eager to learn about iambic pentameter, we find some nuggets of sensible advice.It is also a divisive issue that divides the education community into two main camps:those who view is as a pedagogical necessity that boosts students cognitive and intellectual development and those who consider it an overload that burdens learners, demotivate them and suffocate their creativity.

Kohn's incisive analysis reveals how a mistrust of children, a set of misconceptions about learning, and a misguided focus on competitiveness have all left our kids with less free time and our families with more conflict.Pointing to parents who have fought back--and schools that have proved educational excellence is possible without homework--Kohn shows how we can rethink what happens during and after school in order to rescue our families and our children's love of learning. Amid the vituperative scorn poured upon the ignorant oafs that sire delightful children who are eager to learn about iambic pentameter, we find some nuggets of sensible advice.

Parents respond by reassuring themselves that at least the benefits outweigh the costs. In The Homework Myth, nationally known educator and parenting expert Alfie Kohn systematically examines the usual defenses of homework--that it promotes higher achievement, "reinforces" learning, and teaches study skills and responsibility.His views on homework (nutshell: kids shouldn't have homework) were new to me and got me thinking more deeply about the homework I see Cameron bring home and whether or not it is beneficial.After reading The Homework Myth, I find myself a bit depressed because I am convinced that homework doesn't help the vast majority of kids and in fact hurts many -- it damage I should begin by saying that I recently heard Alfie Kohn speak and was a big fan of what he had to say about education and parenting. Graham reached in his backpack, found the homework, and gave it to her.He had written sentences based on that week’s spelling words.Their provocative argument first published in this book, featured in Time and Newsweek, in numerous women's magazines, on national radio and network television broadcasts, was the first openly to challenge the gospel of "the more homework the better."’ 2- The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing, by Alfie Kohn (Author) “So why do we continue to administer this modern cod liver oil-or even demand a larger dose?Kohn’s incisive analysis reveals how a set of misconceptions about learning and a misguided focus on competitiveness has left our kids with less free time, and our families with more conflict.Amid the vituperative scorn poured upon the ignorant oafs that sire delightful children who are eager to learn about iambic pentameter, we find some nuggets of sensible advice.This seems to be a good 20-page article (the chapter on Rethinking Homework) surrounded by relentless attacks.None of these assumptions, he shows, actually passes the test of research, logic, or experience.So why do we continue to administer this modern cod liver oil--or even demand a larger dose?