Okay the title is kind of misleading. I do actually give homework. But it’s only 16 assignments per year. So, I don’t give nightly homework in my chemistry classes. Here’s a few reasons why I’ve ditched nightly homework and what I believe what I’ve chosen to give is so valuable it can’t be removed.
They’ll Only be 16 for One Year
No, I’m not a parent. But I’m aging myself, so I don’t see this one as tough to understand. Looking back on my days of being a beautiful, energetic 17 year old, meeting my husband seems like it was yesterday. (Cue Frank Sinatra.) But at the same time, so long ago. That time slipped through my fingers so quickly. I’d really do near anything to go back and do it all again. I’m sure you have a time you’d love to go back to, too. These kids are 16 and in your class. This time in their lives is also fleeting. I’d hate to give so much homework that 16 turns out to be a not so great year.
They Have Other Priorities
Work, sports, family, babysitting a little brother or sister… The list is LONG! Your students have plenty of life to live at this age. To me, it seems silly to throw so much chemistry into their everyday lives. (I mean if you were teaching AP Chemistry it’d be a different story – that comes with college credit.)
I Don’t Want Homework Either
This idea of not giving nightly homework became super real to me when I got my lesson plans in order and finally left work at work. It almost felt wrong to give my students homework when I was going home and doing whatever I wanted to do after hours.
I Got My Teaching in Order
When I finally nailed down my guided notes, we had more time in class for practice. My students were able to grapple with content on their own AND with classmates. Giving them EVEN MORE work to do just seemed like overkill at that point. Which was a big relief for this next point!
Grading is a Headache I Don’t Think is Worth It
Trying to keep up with who was absent, who came in late or left early… Deciding whether to spot check or collect the work. Grading it and giving it back. Giving answers in class. Students sharing answers with each other. Students “forgetting” their homework and bringing it in later… The list goes on and on as to why homework can become a HUGE headache.
I’ve decided that with my teaching in order and plenty of practice in class, I didn’t need to be doing this to myself each day. Ditching homework made my life easier. In fact, when I initially got rid of homework, I started to make it optional. MAYBE 10% of my students continued to do the homework initially, but we all gave up shortly and we never looked back.
Chemistry Vocabulary is a Language
There are 15 homework assignments I refuse to let go of and those are my vocabulary terms. After any Unit Test, students pick up the next unit schedule that has the list of vocabulary terms on top. They are to use my glossary to look up the definition of each term and write it down. For the most part, students are able to get this done in class while waiting for classmates to finish their tests. I also give them a few days to get it done, since you know, they have a life to live. (Plus this assignment is not a big deal if they copy it from a classmate.)
Chemistry is tough, and it’s especially tough when students don’t know what the words on the page in front of them actually mean. So this is one I’ve never quit. Throughout the unit, we play vocabulary games and even take a quiz. You can see what I mean for free in my Chemical Bonding Vocabulary pack. I have one of these for each unit of chemistry.
A Non-Holiday Break
When I was teaching in New York, every February we had off the week of President’s Day. I heard it was related to the gas crisis in the 70s. They shut down school for the four remaining days of the week to be able to save money on heating the school. And since then they’ve never let it go.
Using our state final exam, I came up with 10 different, 100 question multiple choice tests. I assigned the tests out to my students trying to arrange them so friends didn’t wind up with the same test. Yes, they could look up EVERY SINGLE ANSWER. That was sort of the point… Get them prepared for the state final, check on wording of questions, see how they fit together.
The only reason I did it for February break is because there’s no family holiday associated with February break. I’d NEVER give anything over spring break (Easter and Passover) or Christmas break. That just seems mean to me. Students should be spending time with their families then!
But Let’s Say I was Required to Give Homework…
If I worked in a mean school that required me to give homework there’s a few things that would happen.
- I’d fight admin about it with all the points raised in this post. I’d make it clear I wasn’t in love with the policy, state my case, but still follow the rules begrudgingly.
- I’d let students know my position and encourage them and their families to raise their voices if they felt strongly enough. Parents could truly run the schools if they choose to.
- I’d set my standard homework assignment as “complete classwork”
- I’d use my Quick Practice worksheets
Chemistry Quick Practice as Homework
When I released my guided notes curriculum, it initially didn’t have practice worksheets outside of the Show What You Know questions. Teachers really wanted this, so slowly, I’ve been adding them to the curriculum! (What can I say – I love designing curriculum.) As a result, I came up with “Quick Practice” worksheets, which is exactly what it sounds like. I think the biggest one is 20 questions? The smallest is maybe 5. You can get a sample of the Lab Safety Quick Practice worksheet to get a flavor for what they’re all about. When the collection is complete, there will be over 90 worksheets included.
