Myth: Why Are Kids Get Too Much Of A Bad Thing By Alfie Kohn

1026 Words5 Pages

What are the many main reasons that teachers assign homework to students? In the book The Homework Myth: Why Are Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn, he takes a deep dive into why many teachers may assign homework and why he believes homework is not effective. His main argument is that while this method of teaching students and educating them more is not effective, it can also weigh on their mental health, as well as increase the educational gap among students. Through his book he also argues that it is a waste of time, and puts unnecessary amounts of stimulation for children as well as their parents. Assigning homework has often become some sort of tradition, and one that many teachers feel they have to upheld. “Policy makers …show more content…

Assigning this type of “busy work” does not meet the individual's needs for students and what they may need more help learning. A homework assignment could be given but have no problems for possibly what half the class is struggling in. That type of homework does not contribute to academic success, and can actually lead to tearing students down. “No matter how successful we are at promoting that desire, there are still going to be many things in life that must be done even though they’re not particularly pleasant” (Kohn …show more content…

“There’s one more reason that homework doesn’t have to be valuable in order for teachers to keep assigning it and parents to keep accepting it” (Kohn 122) Kohn believes this could be due to the norm of giving out homework, and it is just something that should be expected. Making giving out homework a passed down tradition from generation to generation. This tradition is something that needs to be done with as the effects showing from it are not all that great. Kohn argues it is time to rethink homework and consider alternative approaches. I completely agree with all of his statements. Choosing a different way to show students what they have learned based on their individual needs is so important. Stepping away from the cultural traditions of giving homework and expecting students to do it is something that needs to be put into place