The Homework!

Summer Homework

Homework has often been a subject of debate. When to give it, how much to give, how hard to make it, ect. A particularly intense subject of the homework debate is summer homework. Without a teacher to instruct and give help, summer work, despite already being in what is considered to be an almost holy time for students, is often difficult and unwanted. Although the benefit has been proven many times over, the most effective type of assignment is not nearly as black and white. Many professionals have debated the best type of summer work, and many come up with similar, but not the same type of idea.

Elizabeth Birr Moje, professor of education at the University of Michigan, in the editorial "Choosing Your Assignment" (2009), claims that summer homework is important but needs to be available and appealing to all students. Moje supports her claim by assuming that assignments must be accessible and meaningful to alll students for them to make a difference. Mojes purpose is to inform teachers so they can more effectively give homework for the summer. The author writes in an informal tone for teachers.

Harris Cooper, chairman of he department of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, in the editorial "Forgotten On Vacation"(2009), claims that summer homework is only beneficial when the students don't resent it. Cooper elaborated on his claim by describing a study he conducted that found that students from lower income homes had lower reading proficiencies after breaks than when they left, while middle income families' children had higher proficiencies than before. Coopers purpose is to inform teachers to be careful what kind of summer work they give out so their students will actually benefit. His tone is informal and directed toward teachers, parents, and students.

Denise Pope, senior lecturer at the Stanford University School of Education and cofounder of Challenge Success (a research and student invention project), in the editorial "Procrastination and Busywork"(2009), questions the benefits of traditional summer homework. Pope supports her position by describing the concerns of the parents of children with summer homework. Popes purpose is to suggest apprentices to summer work so children will enjoy and profit more from the experience. The authors informal tone is directed toward teachers.

Richard Allington, professor of reading education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the editorial " The Risk Of Falling Behind"(2009), explains that teachers don't assign appealing enough books over the summer. Allington supports his claims by describing research that found children from lower income families are usually many reading levels below their grade. Allingtons purpose is to suggest better assignments for teachers to give to their students. The authors informal tone is meant for teachers.

No one really enjoyed homework, especially during the sacred summer, but it is necessary for school any ways. Experts agree that students have to be able to accsess their work and enjoy it, but they vary on what they think the best way to do this is. At the end of the day, only the teacher can decide w what method for them the best. Add they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat. And they is more than one way to make summer homework.