Do Montessori Kids Need Homework?
Yes, I'm on to another controversial topic right after the last one; I'm having fun, actually, talking about these issues and I love to hear from you guys about them!
Sister Mary (my Montessori trainer) taught that homework shouldn't be necessary for a child in a Montessori school. For starters, the child won't usually have access to Montessori materials at home. Second, most homework consists of worksheets and workbooks, which we don't use in Montessori [much] anyway. Third, the nature of Montessori learning (hands-on, interactive, child-directed) is so beneficial to the child that they don't need homework to stay current with learning.
Of course, back then I thought there was some benefit to homework (hadn't I always had to do it?), but kids in Montessori just didn't need that benefit, whatever it was. Now, things are changing. Children in traditional schools are getting more homework than ever, but books are being written that argue that homework isn't necessary or beneficial at all.
One book, The Homework Myth by Alfie Kohn, says that forcing homework on kids causes them to lose their creative spark and that homework is actually harmful to children - to their relationships and intellect. A similar book by Sarah Bennett & Nancy Kalish, The Case Against Homework, is along the lines of Kohn's but is also a call to arms for parents, school boards, teachers, and even children to speak out against homework.
If you're not interested in buying their books but would like to learn more, Sarah Bennett has a blog, and there are lots of articles and interviews with Alfie Kohn online - here's one.
Personally, when I was a teacher I didn't assign homework other than reading - a story each day or two from a grade-level reader. Many times I had parents ask me to give their children homework, which was strange. It seems more common to hear parents complain when their kids have too much homework, but some parents seemed to want it.
In those cases, I told the parents to have their child pick a book at the library, read it, and write a book report about it. Strangely, no families ever took me up on that. Possibly all they wanted for their kids was busywork - but not a project that would require effort on the part of the parents and child.
So, do any of you assign homework? If so, what? Do you give your kids homework if you are homeschooling? Do you see any benefit to it? Is there a specific kind of homework that seems more beneficial? I'd really like to know!
Sister Mary (my Montessori trainer) taught that homework shouldn't be necessary for a child in a Montessori school. For starters, the child won't usually have access to Montessori materials at home. Second, most homework consists of worksheets and workbooks, which we don't use in Montessori [much] anyway. Third, the nature of Montessori learning (hands-on, interactive, child-directed) is so beneficial to the child that they don't need homework to stay current with learning.
Of course, back then I thought there was some benefit to homework (hadn't I always had to do it?), but kids in Montessori just didn't need that benefit, whatever it was. Now, things are changing. Children in traditional schools are getting more homework than ever, but books are being written that argue that homework isn't necessary or beneficial at all. One book, The Homework Myth by Alfie Kohn, says that forcing homework on kids causes them to lose their creative spark and that homework is actually harmful to children - to their relationships and intellect. A similar book by Sarah Bennett & Nancy Kalish, The Case Against Homework, is along the lines of Kohn's but is also a call to arms for parents, school boards, teachers, and even children to speak out against homework.
If you're not interested in buying their books but would like to learn more, Sarah Bennett has a blog, and there are lots of articles and interviews with Alfie Kohn online - here's one.
Personally, when I was a teacher I didn't assign homework other than reading - a story each day or two from a grade-level reader. Many times I had parents ask me to give their children homework, which was strange. It seems more common to hear parents complain when their kids have too much homework, but some parents seemed to want it.
In those cases, I told the parents to have their child pick a book at the library, read it, and write a book report about it. Strangely, no families ever took me up on that. Possibly all they wanted for their kids was busywork - but not a project that would require effort on the part of the parents and child.
So, do any of you assign homework? If so, what? Do you give your kids homework if you are homeschooling? Do you see any benefit to it? Is there a specific kind of homework that seems more beneficial? I'd really like to know!
Comments:
One thing I really hate about my son's class (I love his teacher, just hate this policy) is that she has the homework laid out for the whole year. It is the same for every child -whether they are ahead or behind, have grasped the concept and are bored, or are floundering.
He's in 1st grade, and very often I just tell him to skip some of it. I've never had a complaint from the teacher, but I figure, I'm in charge at my house and if I don't require him to do a worksheet with 25 babyfied addition problems, then he's not gonna do it.
Mama Says
I feel like sometimes teachers are so busy just planning for actual classtime that they default to homework that doesn't require a lot of effort on their part.
It's interesting that the teacher doesn't mind if your son doesn't do it. Kind of confirms that it's not really necessary.
Love your blog, by the way!
I have been a Montessori teacher for 16 years and agree that Montessori kids do not need homework. In my class, we have some project homework that the kids can do with their parents. For example, they make masks from different cultures for Halloween. We also have a monthly assignment that correlates to a virtue. (Respect, Tolerance, Truthfulness) A simple written statement or an elaborate project are accepted. Here a child and family can choose how much they want to put into it (which often correlates with how much they get out of it.) I do sometimes feel pressured by the parents who want homework and who want us to prepare them for their future in the public schools. We want them to succeed and I do give those that I think would struggle some homework in their third year to get used to it. Most don't need it and transition fine.
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