Stop Homework, and Try Creative Calendars Instead!

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Are you looking for an alternative to traditional homework? Perhaps, you feel that students shouldn’t have to go home and do more school work? This is what I wanted and why I created my homework calendars. Research doesn’t support giving elementary students homework. And honestly, how much of it do you get back and get it back being done well? Families and students have a lot that fills their evenings and more times than not those activities are not scheduled around homework. Why not provide students and families the opportunity of spending time with each other, not stressed by homework, but enjoying each other?

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Put an End to Homework and Use Innovative Calendars Instead!

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Traditional homework that includes math and/or reading variations could potentially help a student, but what are we, as educators, doing to their view of learning? Are we providing opportunities for students to enjoy learning and the process that comes with it by sending that math homework? Most likely not. This is what drove me to do something different.

I created my homework calendars to enhance family time or to be done independently.

I want work/life balance and I wanted that for my students as well. I did not want them stressed or worried about homework after a long day of working hard at school. I created my homework calendars to enhance family time or they could be done independently. Activities such as cleaning their room or writing a letter, encourage using skills they have learned while providing time for practice and also instilling values such as responsibility. My students always cheered whenever it was time to hand out a new homework calendar. Here are just a few more examples of the activities available to complete:

• Do something creative
• Paint or color a rock
• Make an obstacle course
• Go all day without any screen time
• Make a list of your talents and things you want to be better at
• Help prepare a meal
• And MANY more!!

Research on Giving Elementary Students Homework

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You could spend quite a bit of time on Google and search if homework is really beneficial or you can take my word for it. There are studies that mention a correlation between homework and student achievement BUT there is no way to prove that the homework is what is driving the achievement. There is, however, evidence to prove that homework can lead to some burnout and leave a negative mindset about learning.

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Those are not promising findings. Teacher, administrators, and parents, if you are reading this, then we must change the way we think about homework. Does the possibility of it helping our kids outweigh the negative aspects? In my opinion, no. That is why sending a FUN alternative home will benefit our students and kids so much more than any math or reading assignment.

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Get Rid of the Stress of Homework

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How many teachers and parents love homework? I would guess no one’s hands went up. Teachers do not like prepping it or grading it. Parents do not like trying to fit it in their already jam packed evenings. Traditional homework takes time and is stressful for not only the parent but also the student. How many times have you said this is not the same math I had in school? There are certain things that are taught a tad bit differently and this can bring on some strife between student and parent. Plus, some of those homework sessions turn into marathons.

The homework calendars are NO PREP and require no grading.

The homework calendars are NO PREP and require no grading. I simply look over them at the end of each month and see which tasks were completed. If a student completed 10 or more activities, then they get a special share time during our morning meeting to talk about which activity was their favorite. Parents are free of spending an hour or longer on traditional homework whereas the activities on the homework calendar could take as little as a few minutes. It is purely up to students and parents how much time is spent on the suggested activities.

Turn Your Evenings Around

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Instead of trying to squeeze homework in right before bed or extending bedtime because the homework has to be returned, the creative homework calendar activities could be done in the car or at the sibling’s practice. They are flexible and will not take up much time. The idea behind these calendars is to encourage building relationships, getting outside, and playing. All valuable skills to be taught and learned by the next generation.

The idea behind these calendars is to encourage building relationships, getting outside, and playing. All valuable skills to be taught and learned by the next generation.

Teachers, these could be used through the summer and winter breaks. You will be leaving a lasting impression on your students by providing creative homework calendars. It is something that students look forward to and are excited about. Provide them with a resource that could encourage the love for learning and discovery. This will lighten your load by just a bit too. You will not have “x” amount of homework assignments times “x” amount of days to grade. You fill that in and figure out how much time that really saves you. You all know how just a little bit of time saved feels like hours back.

Now is the Time to Try Creative Calendars

Now you know that traditional homework is not the only option and really is not the best option for your students. The creative calendars will alleviate stress on all involved. They provide opportunities for students to build positive relationships, play, and get outside. All great skills for students to develop and are not easily taught while in school. Parents will thank you. Students will cheer for you. And your teacher friends will be asking you about it. Put a stop to traditional homework and check out these homework calendars.