Actually i think its really kids and parents may be right after all, because ive never met a parent who loves homework its a major drain on family time and the source of a world of grief for parent and child alike. In a recent series of books and articles including alfie kohns the homework myth, sara bennett and nancy kalishs the case against homework, and. Kohn s research is impeccable and his statements about the deleterious effects of homework are undeniable. The truth about homework needless assignments persist because of widespread misconceptions about learning by alfie kohn.
In the homework myth, nationally known educator and parenting expert alfie kohn systematically examines the usual defenses of homeworkthat it promotes higher achievement, reinforces learning, and teaches study skills and responsibility. Theres something perversely fascinating about educational policies that. Alfie kohn argues that this would make sense only if the homework is beneficialwhich it usually is not. The homework myth by kohn, alfie august 21, 2006 hardcover on. Challenge success 2012 1 do students today have too much homework or not enough.
Their provocative argument first published in this book, featured in time and newsweek, in numerous womens magazines, on national radio and network television broadcasts, was the first openly to challenge the gospel of the more homework the better. Our entire evening had, as usual, consisted of homework and conversations a. I also owe thanks to sara bennett and nancy kalish, whose book the case against homework. See more ideas about education reform, teaching and parenting. And, unfortunately, much of the research on homework is flawed or ambiguous. People seem to think this book is about how homework is bad for you. The latest of his eleven books are the homework myth. He speaks to teachers in his third section of the book restoring sanity. Da capo books, 2006hachette audio, 2018 a debunking of common defenses of homework that it promotes higher achievement, reinforces learning, and teaches study skills followed by half a dozen explanations for why we continue to administer this modern cod liver oil to children in the absence of proven benefits. After spending most of the day in school, children are typically given additional assignments to be completed at home. And other unorthodox essays about education heinemann, 2015 a collection of articles that were originally published between 2010 and 2014, dealing with topics ranging from play to parent involvement in schooling to the overemphasis on data. In general this power point summarizes the book slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. A no homework policy is a challenge to me, he adds. Eric ej772088 rethinking homework, principal, 2007.
Kohn describes the current default position for homework as assign it regularly and asks for a change to no homework as the default, with tasks assigned only when they are appropriate and worthwhile for older students. Educators studies have used the scientific method to show the strong correlation between homework and academic achievement. Alfie kohn writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education, and parenting. Nov 14, 2014 another myth that i debunked was that homework would actually save time in the classroom. Challenge success believes we should shift the focus away from a discussion of quantity of. Why our children get too much of a bad thing 1st da capo press pbk. Why our kids get too much of a bad thing 2006 critiqued the beliefs and norms about homework that we take for granted and proved to be great inspiration for my ideas. Buy the homework myth by alfie kohn from waterstones today. Ive responded to this position at length in a recent book, challenging its false. This is a rather curious fact when you stop to think about it, but not as curious as the fact that few.
Kohn cites plenty of research to back up his thesis. A powerful book for parents and educators that is not only thoughtprovoking but changeprovoking. Many in britain will recognize that and it should give us a. In this book kohn presents clear, concise, easy to understand reasons why. 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. Kohns book leans more towards a detailed, logical, scientific analysis of the. Why our kids get too much of a bad thing 2006 and unconditional parenting. Alfie kohn writes about what a new homework study really says and what it doesnt say. Pointing to stories of parents who have fought backand schools that have proved educational excellence is possible without homeworkkohn demonstrates how we can rethink what happens during and after school in order to rescue our families and our childrens love of learning.
Alfie kohn should look up rhetorical appeals before he writes another book. I am forced to create lessons that are so good no further drilling is required when the lessons are completed. The homework myth by alfie kohn, 9780738211114, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Why our kids get too much of a bad thing, by alfie kohn author. The default policy in almost all schools is to assign homework on a regular basis. Within 15 minutes, we had 20 myths, within another 15 minutes we had a total of 26 myths about homework with one duplication.
By alfie kohn for a more detailed look at the issues discussed here including a comprehensive list of citations to relevant research and a discussion of successful efforts to effect change please see the book the homework myth. The homework myth, why our kids get too much of a bad thing. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Parents contend that homework is too timeconsuming and the work required is meaningless. The homework myth why our kids get too much of a bad thing by alfie kohn. His books include feelbad education, the homework myth, and what does it mean to be well educated. Read the book on paper it is quite a powerful experience. He proposes that we reevaluate the quantity and quality of such assignments and help teachers to rethink the tendency to give homework even when it seems unjustified. The myth about homework think hours of slogging are helping your child make the grade. With his new book, the homework myth, expert alfie kohn says no. After reading the homework myth, i find myself a bit depressed because i am. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that. For one teachers response to this excerpt, read in defense of homework.
The destructive too much homework myth the new york times. The homework myth by alfie kohn 20060821 alfie kohn on. Why our kids get too much of a bad thing kohn, alfie on. The premise of the book is that homework isnt good for you, an important distinction. Oct 29, 2015 does the electronic version of the book completely replace the paper version. My 12yearold daughter and i had been drilling socialstudies key words for more than an hour. Why our kids get too much of a bad thing by alfie kohn and the case against homework. Why our kids get too much of a bad thing kindle edition by alfie kohn author visit amazons alfie kohn page. List of books and articles about homework online research. The case against homework, how homework is hurting children and what parents can do about it. The quantity of homework given, as well as the usefulness of the assignments, has been a source of controversy. Alfie kohns six previous books include punished by rewards and no contest. Especially if you believe in oldschool, traditional, rote memory homework.
Best of all, if after reading an ebook, you buy a paper version of the homework myth. While reading alfie kohn s the homework myth book, i got into debates about its content many times. Why our kids get too much of a bad thing by alfie kohn at. Wouldnt class time be better spent on that practice where the students could get help. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Aug 14, 2007 an important book that every teacher should read. After spending most of the day in school, students are given additional assignments to be completed at home. He is the author of 12 books about education and human behavior, including the schools our children. Oct 19, 2006 this is an excerpt from alfie kohn s recently published book the homework myth. Last night i asked people for help with my presentation on myths about homework which i am presenting today at skeptic camp in vancouver. Some of the most fundamental expectations of children, parents, and educators are that children need homework, that they should get homework, and that the more they get, the better.
Moving from rewards and punishments to love and reason 2005. Theres something perversely fascinating about educational policies that are clearly at odds with the available data. Kohn has the courage to step on the toes of anyone who continues to deny what his research on the research has shown. This is a book about the homework myth why we believe it, why we want to believe it, why we cant ignore it, and why we are controlled by it. Does the electronic version of the book completely replace the paper version. So what could be more welcome than two new books assailing this bane of modern family life.
The myth of homework and the case against homework. The homework myth should be required reading for every teacher, principal, and school district head in the country. When they dont have homework, youre as happy as they are, maybe happier, because for one blessed evening you dont have to argue. But as i mastered the material, homework ceased to be necessary. None of these assumptions, he shows, actually passes the test of research, logic. The homework myth by alfie kohn 9780738211114 dymocks. Much of the current rhetoric surrounding homework focuses on the time students spend on it. None of it shows the slightest connection between homework and independent thinking. The author of fourteen books and hundreds of articles, he lectures at education conferences and universities as well as to parent groups and corporations.