Topic To Discuss: Should we keep homework or ban it completely?
Background: Homework is a task (often called an assignment) set by teachers for students to do outside normal lessons – usually at home in the evening. Schools have been setting homework in developed countries for over a century, but until the past few decades usually only older students had to do it. More recently younger students have also been given homework by their primary or elementary schools. In England the government does not make schools give homework but it does set guidelines 1. Five year olds are expected to do an hour a week, increasing to three hours a week at 11 and ten hours or more a week at 16 2. American studies report the amount of homework being set for younger students doubling over the past twenty-five years or so, although some doubt these findings.
Countries, schools and subjects differ a lot on how much homework is set, and at what age, but almost all high school students have to do at least some most nights. Most children have never liked homework but from time to time it is also debated by politicians, parents and teachers. Sometimes there are demands for more homework, as part of a drive for “higher standards”. At other times there are calls for less homework to be set, especially in primary/ elementary schools. This topic looks at whether homework should be banned altogether.
Additional Reading:
Pick A Position – Decide whether you are for or against the topic, and supply several reason for your position. Be sure to use the four-square method to help you organize your thoughts, and refer to the blogging guidelines document.
Steps:
- Copy everything from ‘Topic To Discuss’ to ‘Pick A Position’
- Paste it into a new post of yours
- Underneath the text you just copied write the heading, ‘Opinion‘ in bold font
- Then pick a position, either for or against, and response with your opinions on the subject