Math Homework: What to Expect and Why IT Is Important
Parents across the country are starting to question the impact that math homework has on their children. This article discusses why math homework is important and what parents should expect to see in their children's assignments.
School boards around the country are beginning to place homework restrictions on K-12 grade public school teachers. These restrictions are being created in response to increasing instances of homework anxiety in students across the nation. However, before you approach your school board about creating similar restrictions, it is important to learn and understand the value of homework.
Math Homework
Math homework is any task assigned to students to complete outside of their math class, and is created to help students prepare to learn new mathematical concepts, practice ones that have already been introduced, and explore other math skills. These out-of-class assignments are help to reinforce the lessons a child is introduced during the school day.
Studies are finding a relationship between homework and student achievement in school. There has not been established a cause and effect relationship, but there is a strong correlation between the two traits. However, it is also acknowledged that these assignments are only effective when the math teacher takes time to prepare quality assignments that relate to the specific skills that students should be learning or practicing.
Too Much Math Homework?
Statements released by the National PTA and the National Education Association, kindergarten to third grade students should be assigned no more than 20 minutes total homework per day. Fourth to sixth graders should be assigned 20 to 40 minutes while seventh to twelfth grade teens have a varying recommended amount of homework per day depending on the difficulty of their courses. These figures are for all subjects combined, not just the mathematics course.
If your child is taking much longer than these recommended amounts of time on their homework, it could be for two reasons. Either your student's teachers are assigning too much homework or your child does not fully understand their assignments. If you are concerned that a teacher is overloading your child with homework then you should schedule an appointment to discuss this problem. If your child is struggling with their work due to a math skills gap then the answer may be outside tutoring. Busy families can help a child catch up with their peers through online tutoring. Tutoring centers that are located on the World Wide Web are professional and use the same proven methods as their conventional counterparts.
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