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    Ditch That Homework: Practical Strategies to Help Make Homework Obsolete
    Ditch That Homework: Practical Strategies to Help Make Homework Obsolete
    Ditch That Homework: Practical Strategies to Help Make Homework Obsolete
    Ebook264 pages3 hours

    Ditch That Homework: Practical Strategies to Help Make Homework Obsolete

    By Matt Miller and Alice Keeler

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    About this ebook

    In Ditch That Homework, Matt Miller and Alice Keeler discuss the pros and cons of homework, why teachers assign it, and what life could look like without it. As they evaluate the research and share parent and teacher insights, the authors offer a convincing case for ditching homework and replacing it with more effective and personalized learning methods.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDave Burgess Consulting, Inc.
    Release dateJul 24, 2017
    ISBN9781946444400
    Ditch That Homework: Practical Strategies to Help Make Homework Obsolete
    Author

    Matt Miller

    Matt Miller is the author of The Two Percent Solution: Fixing America’s Problems in Ways Liberals and Conservatives Can Love, which was a Los Angeles Times bestseller. He is a contributing editor at Fortune; a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress; the host of public radio’s popular week-in-review program Left, Right & Center; and a consultant to corporations, governments, and nonprofits. He lives in Los Angeles.

    Read more from Matt Miller

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      Book preview

      Ditch That Homework - Matt Miller

      Ditch That Homework

      Ditch That Homework

      Practical Strategies to Help Make Homework Obsolete

      Matt Miller

      Alice Keeler

      Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.

      Contents

      Praise for Ditch That Homework

      Introduction: The Homework Paradox

      1. Ditch That Textbook

      2. Ditch That Lecture

      3. Ditch That Referral

      4. Ditch That Resistance

      5. Ditch Those Habits

      6. Ditch That Remediation

      7. Ditch That Compliance

      8. Ditch That Red Pen

      Conclusion

      Acknowledgments

      References

      More from Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.

      Bring Matt Miller to your school, district, or event!

      About the Author

      Praise for Ditch That Homework

      Matt and Alice are challenging educators to fly again. To give up the shortcuts and the bureaucratic tools and actually go back to making change happen. Bravo!

      —Seth Godin, author, Stop Stealing Dreams (@ThisIsSethsBlog)

      "Considering ending homework in your classroom but don’t know how to address the pushback? Alice and Matt have done the research and created the rationales you’ve been looking for. Ditch That Homework is a must-have resource for every teacher, providing impactful solutions and alternatives to help students maximize learning during the

      school

      day

      ."

      —Lisa Highfill, co-author, The HyperDoc Handbook (@lhighfill)

      "Ditch That Homework is engaging, comprehensive, and practical. The authors’ detailed description of recent research from cognitive science is both accessible and applicable, a valuable combination for educators and parents."

      —Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D., assistant professor, cognitive scientist, and founder of RetrievalPractice.org (@PoojaAgarwal)

      "Miller and Keeler gracefully embrace a controversial topic in education and provide samples of research from various standpoints. They provide teachers with the validity and starting points they need to replace homework with innovative teaching practices to enhance learning time in the classroom. Ditch That Homework is filled with tools and ideas to help teachers stick to their resolution."

      —Christine Pinto, kindergarten teacher and author, Google Apps for Littles (@PintoBeanz11)

      "Alice Keeler and Matt Miller provide a foundation for any educator looking to make a pedagogical shift in their classroom and ditch the homework. The book leaves readers with ideas to start in their school the next day, such as ways to build relationships with students, effective feedback techniques, and real-world learning opportunities using suggested tools and strategies. Most importantly it reminds educators that we do not teach to a one-size-fits-all community, and educators need to remember to have empathy and offer equitable learning experiences that engage and empower students within the classroom. Students then might be driven to continue their work at home, discovering their passions along

      the

      way

      ."

      —Rayna Freedman, instructional technology specialist and MassCUE president-elect (@rlfreedm)

      "Every day I talk to more educators and parents who are becoming convinced that homework isn’t a good way to spend kids’ time out of school. Ditch That Homework provides real-world ways to get off the homework train by working bell-to-bell and maximizing time in class, not sluffing off things to worksheets and word searches that don’t benefit anyone academically."

      —Jon Corippo, CUE chief innovation officer (@jcorippo)

      "Ditch That Homework is not just a book about why educators and parents should rethink homework, but it’s a practical guidebook for how to do things differently. Matt and Alice have filled this book chock-full of resources for educators, kindergarten and up, who want to begin or continue their journey toward ditching homework. As a parent of a young school-aged child, this book left me feeling empowered and inspired to continue to support the shift towards making homework obsolete."

      —Karly Moura, teacher on special assignment (@KarlyMoura)

      "Matt and Alice have done it again! They’ve written a book that I’ll come back to time and time again for resources, ideas, and suggestions I can use to make my classroom a better place for students! When we take the time to build relationships and create authentic and engaging learning experiences for our students, it results in a community of lifelong learners who are curious, insightful, and excited to come to school each day! Ditch That Homework explicitly shows educators how they can make their class time so effective and efficient that homework and other traditional practices will no longer be necessary!"

      —Paul Solarz, fifth-grade teacher and author, Learn Like a PIRATE (@PaulSolarz)

      "Wow! Thank you for helping educators to rethink homework and equipping them to challenge the status quo of classrooms by providing practical ways to be more efficient, effective, and purposeful with what we do. The resources, strategies, and ideas mentioned in Ditch That Homework are simple, doable shifts that are exactly what is needed for today’s classroom that should be used even if your goal isn’t to ditch homework."

      —Sean Fahey, sixth-grade math teacher (@SEANJFAHEY)

      "Ditch That Homework is a tremendous resource that will help classroom teachers teach better. It encourages a shift toward practices that benefit all students, not just compliant students. Matt and Alice have provided many ideas to transform how students can practice and learn without sending work home. Ditch That Homework will help build relationships with students, help teachers grade less but provide more feedback, and help families reclaim time together."

      —Mandi Tolen, high school math teacher and Google Innovator (@TTmomTT)

      "Ditch That Homework is a transformational book for teachers who are working towards the no-homework classroom. Matt and Alice have a very easy conversational style to ‘talk’ with the reader and support the teacher as you make your way through this astounding collection of resources to support making this change. In addition, Matt and Alice share various pieces of evidence to understand why the no-homework classroom allows students to grow the most as people and also as learners. Best of all, Matt and Alice share examples of how to make this happen in your classroom."

      —Krista Harmsworth, fifth-grade teacher (@zonie71)

      Homework can be a sensitive topic; however, it has been proven to not show any benefit to student learning. Through brain research, pedagogical examples, and family values, Matt and Alice offer up applicable reasons for ditching homework. Teachers will frequently return to this book for countless resources and to ensure they’re serving their students in the most beneficial student-centered, homework-less environment.

      —Evan Mosier, technology integrationist (@emosier3)

      "An engaged classroom built on solid relationships, meaningful work, conversations, and a push for creativity doesn’t require tasks outside of class. It is the educator’s responsibility to create an optimal learning environment for students to learn and want to continue to learn. Alice and Matt give an overview of why ditching homework is a sound practice and provide a practical, comprehensive map to get us there. Even if you only use a fraction of the ideas, your class, parents, and your students will benefit!"

      —Lance McClard, elementary principal (@drmcclard)

      "Matt and Alice hit a homerun with this one—better yet, a grand slam! I’ve been a no-homework advocate since my first year of teaching. It’s a passion of mine that stems from limited support at home as a little girl. Ditch That Homework is a strong foundation to support educators as they weather the storms of resistance. In fact, Matt and Alice beautifully paint why it’s imperative we rethink the ‘way we’ve always done it’ mentality regarding homework. As if the research and testimonials aren’t convincing enough, Miller and Keeler generously hand the reader an overabundance of strategies necessary to execute no homework, system wide. While this is a must-read for all educators, I want each member of our administrative team to have a copy. It’s vital for the entire system to embrace the content of this book; our students

      deserve

      it

      !"

      —Tara Martin, district administrator, curriculum coordinator, and #BookSnaps founder (@TaraMartinEDU)

      Imagine your instruction is so effective that you don’t need to assign homework! Alice and Matt provide practical ideas and resources to do just that. Learn why and how to finally ditch homework.

      —Craig Klement, instructional coach (@craigklement)

      Matt and Alice have really approached a hot topic with honest and open experiences about the inequities they have experienced with homework! A practical guide, whether you’re a novice or veteran teacher, to give resources and guide in the transformation of your teaching. Challenging the ideals of conventional practice to truly reach the whole child and re-light that spark in learning!

      —Anne Kamper, instructional coach (@AnneKamper)

      "Ditch That Homework is a game changer! Alice and Matt build a compelling case around why we should reconsider–and ultimately ditch–giving homework. More than just theory, Ditch That Homework is also a practical guide for teachers. Each section is rich with resources to explore, and Alice and Matt provide countless strategies, ideas, and tools for how to engage students and use in-class time more effectively. My toolbox is bursting! I highly recommend this to educators of all grade levels. It’s time we set our students’ personal lives free and let go of the age-old tradition of homework!"

      —Rachel Marker, K–8 curriculum specialist (@rachelmarker)

      Ditch That Homework

      © 2017 By Matt Miller and Alice Keeler

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing by the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review. For information regarding permission, contact the publisher at [email protected].

      This book is available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for use as premiums, promotions, fundraisers, or for educational use. For inquiries and details, contact the publisher at [email protected].

      Published by Dave Burgess

      Consulting

      ,

      Inc

      .

      San

      Diego

      ,

      CA

      http://daveburgessconsulting.com

      Cover Design by Genesis Kohler

      Editing and Interior Design by My Writers’ Connection

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2017943781

      Paperback ISBN: 978-1-946444-

      39

      -

      4

      eBook ISBN: 978-1-946444-

      40

      -

      0

      First Printing:

      July

      2017

      Introduction: The Homework Paradox

      Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we

      grow

      up

      .

      —Pablo Picasso

      Carmen is a backyard artist. She’s ten years old, and she loves to be outdoors. She gathers treasures—rocks, flowers (a.k.a. dandelions), sticks, anything that catches her fancy—and creates neatly arranged monuments with them. Sometimes she displays them on the platform of her wooden swing set; other times, they’ll be in the middle of the yard—at least until her dad’s lawnmower

      finds

      them

      .

      As Carmen has gotten older, her time in the backyard has dwindled. Now, she spends more of her time in front of textbooks.

      She hasn’t gotten to the point where she doesn’t want to go to school—yet, her father, John, a technology integration specialist in central Indiana told us. But when she comes home and I ask, ‘Hey, how was school today?’ she’ll say, ‘Oh, I’ve got so much homework to do.’ She never talks anymore about what was fun or what the best part of her day was. Now, homework is a constant struggle.

      Sometimes John will pull Carmen away from her homework so she can just be a kid. They’ll go outdoors, and she’ll chatter and play again like when she was younger. I can almost see her brain working when she’s outside. That’s what I miss. That’s what I’m afraid she’s going to be missing, John said, "because I can’t see her brain working when she’s trying to define an answer from

      the

      text

      ".

      Homework Is a Contentious Topic

      Everyone—from educators to students to business people to politicians—seems to have an opinion on homework. It’s a hot topic! And people get riled up easily

      about

      it

      .

      Students generally dislike homework because they’re the ones doing it. And who can blame them? Often, homework consists of uninspiring exercises, busywork, or repetitious problems. Students often see homework as drudgery—a hoop they have to jump through en route to free time that they can spend the way

      they

      want

      .

      Teachers are a mixed bag when it comes to homework. Some see it as a rite of passage—as educational lore they must perpetuate. Others believe homework is effective because they have seen student achievement rise when it has been assigned. Still others are frustrated, recognizing that the convention of homework is twisted and imperfect, but they don’t know what to do

      about

      it

      .

      Parents are the ones pulled in the most directions by homework. They remember being plagued by it during their own childhood. They have a front-row seat to their children’s rolling eyes, frustrated outbursts, or defeated sobs over assignments. Parents fight and fight and fight with their kids about whether homework is finished, whether it’s done well, and whether there’s more they’re hiding. But

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