Last week my thoughts on homework came from the perspective of the teacher on the reasons for homework.  This week I want to approach the matter from the perspective of the student and parent.

To review, homework assignments can either be good or bad.  If it is assigned with the benefit of the student in mind it is good.  Assignments that practice concepts or ideas learned in class or assignments that develop or enrich and add to what is learned in class would fall in that category.  Any assignment given without thought to the betterment of the student would be a bad assignment.  Assignments that are simply busy work, or punishment or mindless repeating of topics covered in class would not be constructive homework assignments.

Based on this idea, it is the teacher who determines whether a homework assignment is good or not.  Knowing their motivation and reason behind the assignment would help one evaluate any assignment.  We all do things for a reason and as sinful people we can do things for good or bad reasons.  This is why I would encourage any person, parent or student who is curious or concerned about an assignment to go and ask the teacher respectfully their rational for this assignment.

I assume that if a good answer is given that most people will then proceed to do the assignment with a better attitude now that they know the reason for that assignment.  Since education is a partnership between the family and the school, it is appropriate and reasonable for a parent to ask their child’s teacher the rational for any assignment.  The parent can then help motivate their child to do this work, when they are complaining or neglecting the assignment.  Older students can ask their teachers privately the purpose of an assignment to satisfy their curiosity.

It is not prudent to question every single assignment; this would come across as complaining or nit picking.  Having said that, I would expect every teacher to be able to explain the purpose of any assignment they give.  What is their objective and how does it fit with the classroom objectives is a good question.

What do you do with bad homework assignments?  A couple of things, first for parents; if after talking with a teacher a parent is not satisfied with the ‘reason’ then I recommend they talk with the school administrator to express their concern and desire to see constructive assignments for their child.  Secondly, I would have the child go ahead and do the assignment to learn to “do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus”, without “grumbling and complaining”.  (Col. 3:17 & Phil. 2:14)  You also do not want them to ‘learn’ to blow off something just because you do not like it.  This is a discipline thing and of value in itself. 

Stay tuned for part 3 on this topic – I have more to say!