Why Homework is Important

 

Why Homework is Important

The debate over homework has raged on for years. Some parents and educators alike have argued the uselessness of assigning students homework. Some people have argued that homework is time-consuming, and that it doesn’t truly reflect the ability of the student because many of them cheat on their homework. Despite the protests from students and some parents, homework does have several pluses.

Reinforce stills

Athletes practice. Musicians practice and entertainers do too. So, why won’t a student? Homework is one of the best ways for a teacher to reinforce skills that have been covered during the regular school day. As the students complete their homework assignment, they are practicing a skill that he learned during the day. Homework also allows the teacher to see if the students have mastered the skills or objectives that were covered. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect.

Time management

Doing homework teaches the students time management skills. The students learn how to divide their time between studying, doing homework, and pursuing their other interests. Time management is a skill that students will need in the future as they enter the workforce or simply juggle the responsibilities of home and family.
Monitor comprehension

A teacher can determine if a lesson was successful by assigning and checking homework. By checking the students’ homework, a teacher can identify the skills that have been mastered and which skills need to be re-taught.

Discipline

Homework teaches the students discipline. The students must discipline themselves to complete their homework assignments instead of giving in to the temptation to do other more enjoyable activities like playing video games, watching television, talking on the phone, or playing outside.

Independent learners

As the students complete their homework assignments, they become independent learners. The teacher puts the students in charge of their own educational destiny by assigning homework. Because homework is completed outside of the school setting, it puts the students in a position of responsibility. The teacher is no longer the only one responsible for the learning process. Each student becomes a key player in their own educational process.

Self-motivation

Parents can control if their young children complete their homework assignments, but older students are harder to persuade. So, by choosing to complete a homework assignment, the students are not only getting the extra practice needed to reinforce a skill or concept, but they are learning how to motivate themselves.  With each assignment the students complete, they become more self-reliant and self-motivated. These traits help to prepare them for other challenges like going to college or holding down a job.

Homework is an essential part of the learning process. It is a great way for teachers to reinforce the skills that have been covered earlier in the day. It provides the student with extra practice.  Homework can also be uses a tool for evaluating students’ progress. It gives the teacher a chance to see which students need help, and it also helps the teacher identify areas that need to be re-taught. Students become independent learners and active participants in their education by choosing to complete their homework assignments.

Most Memorable Tragic Couples in Literature

 

Most Memorable Tragic Couples in Literature

There are some couples whose very names are synonymous with love and with tragedy. Their pain seems to leap from the very pages of literature and into our hearts forever. The following are a few of the most tragic couples in literature.

*Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet are the most unforgettable tragic couple in literature. The star-crossed lovers from William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” defied their parents and society to be together. In fact, they are so in love that they would rather die than be apart. Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” also give one of the most memorable lines in literature:

"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love
And I'll no longer be a Capulet."
-William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet”, 2.2

Sadly, despite their love and their careful planning, the two lovers are never united in life. The two kill themselves, and in doing so, unit their families.

*Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw

Emily Bronte’s gothic story, “Wuthering Heights”, introduces the reader to another tragic couple-Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw. These ill-fated lovers were doomed from the start. Heathcliff was the orphaned child Mr. Earnshaw found while in Liverpool. Mr. Earnshaw brings Heathcliff home to live with his family. All of the family members despise this dark, strange child except Mr. Earnshaw and his young daughter, Catherine. Catherine and Heathcliff develop a love for each other so deep that they actually feel like they are one person. Catherine states:

"It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now; so he shall never know how I love him: and that, not because he's handsome, Nelly, but because he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."
- Emily Bronte, “Wuthering Heights”, Ch. 9

Catherine Earnshaw marries another man to secure her legacy and to try to protect Heathcliff. Heathcliff, however, earns his own money and extracts revenge on the whole Earnshaw family. It is only after their deaths that the two lovers are happily reunited.

*Father Ralph de Bricassart and Meghan Clearys

“The Thornbirds” is an epic tale of the Cleary family. They battle the rough Australian Outback to survive. “The Thornbirds” is also the unforgettable tale of love and passion between Maggie Clearys and Father Ralph de Bricassart. They two are forbidden to love because of Ralph’s vows to the church, but that doesn’t stop them. Despite his vow of celibacy, Father de Bricassart does give in to carnal desire and has an affair with his Maggie. This affair produces their only son, Dane. Ralph returns to the church and tries to forget Meghan. It is only after great tragedy strikes does he realize all he has scarified for the church.

“There is a legend about a bird which sings just once in its life, more sweetly than any other creature on the face of the earth. From the moment it leaves the nest it searches for a thorn tree, and does not rest until it has found one. Then, singing among the savage branches, it impales itself upon the longest, sharpest spine. And, dying, it rises above its own agony to out carol the lark and the nightingale. One superlative song, existence the price. But the whole world stills to listen, and God in His heaven smiles. For the best is only bought at the cost of great pain… Or so says the legend.”

-Colleen McCullough, “The Thornbirds”

Literature has produced some of the most unforgettable tragic love affairs. The couples listed

 above are only a few of greatest star-crossed lovers of all times

Teachers and At-Risk Students

 

Teachers and At-Risk Students

The sad reality is that in each school there are students who are at-risk of dropping out or falling between the cracks. It is also a fact that we, teachers, play in their negative experiences at school. We also influence their decision to either drop out of school or hang in there until the end. Are you wondering how?

Think about your low achievers or those students who “can’t get it”. Now, think about the way you treat them. Do you call on them as much as you do your smarter students? Do you give them as many opportunities as you do other students?

Unless you are one those exceptional teachers, your answers are probably not the ones that they should be. Let’s face it. Whether we intend to or not, sometimes we overlook our most vulnerable students.

What are somethings that you can do to help? First, change your behavior.

Ø  Call on these students more.

Ø  Allow these students more time to answer questions when you do call on them.

Ø  Often more praise

Ø  Provide them with feedback as soon as possible

Ø  Provide the students with more hands-on activities

 

 

Teaching Healthy Eating Posters

This is an activity the P.E. teacher had the kids doing to teach healthy living. The students were required to design posters that features three healthy meals that included the correct calorie count for both men and women. I thought it was so cute! It is also a great way to get the kids (and myself) thinking about healthy eating choices.

Summer Writing Activity

As summer is fast approaching, it is fun to incorporate some summer related activities. I created a writing activity using a watermelon. I gave my students a picture of a watermelon. The students colored the picture and then listed words that described summer. Once they completed the prewriting stage, I had them write an essay about summer. Since my students are in upper elementary, they really enjoyed getting to color and cutting and pasting. This activity can be modified to fit both older and younger students alike.