As teachers, we want our students to grow into the best versions of themselves. This means finding the most developmentally appropriate ways to teach them and talk to them. So why are so many teachers still assigning math homework, sending home worksheet packets, and draining all their free time to be kids? You might be surprised to find that this age-old tradition is, in fact, OLD – it’s outdated and in desperate need of an overhaul. In this blog post, we’ll explore a groundbreaking alternative to conventional homework routines – UnHomework.
Let’s back up a minute before we dive in.
Why is traditional math homework (or any type) a problem?
- It’s frustrating: Traditional homework assignments can cause frustration and disengagement. Students are often asked to complete homework containing content they have not yet mastered – this can be frustrating for early readers and students who are struggling academically.
- It’s boring: Many children find worksheets and repetitive tasks tedious and uninspiring, while parents may struggle to support their child’s learning at home due to busy schedules or lack of resources.
- It steals free time: Students also spend about 8 hours a day at school, leaving them with only several to spend with their families. Some students and parents aren’t home until 5:00, and many have evening extracurricular activities like sports and music practice. This often leaves families with as little as 1 hour to spend together when all is said and done.
- It can lead to burnout: Moreover, research suggests that excessive homework in early grades may have limited academic benefits and can even contribute to stress and burnout.
So what’s the answer?
Fear not, teacher friends. I come armed with solutions. Here is the homework alternative you’ve been waiting for.
Meet the UnHomework choice system – a refreshing approach to after-school assignments that prioritizes play, exploration, and student choice. By shifting away from traditional math homework practices and worksheets, UnHomework offers numerous benefits for both students and families. It promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, all while fostering a positive attitude toward learning. With UnHomework, children have the opportunity to pursue activities that align with their interests and learning styles, making the learning experience more enjoyable and meaningful. It also allows flexibility to families; during busy weeks, students might opt for 2 choices while slower weeks see them doing all 5.
How It Works:
UnHomework is a series of 5 choices that change weekly. Choices like “go on a nature walk and make a list of things you see, hear, and smell” or “find 10 items around the house and line them up in ABC order” allow students to do things rather than being stuck at the kitchen table staring at yet another screen or math problem.
Students can choose to complete any amount of options each week. Every time an option is completed, students fill out one of the attached raffle tickets along with parent initials. Tickets are submitted to the Learning Lotto at the end of each week, and new winners are chosen each week. (Traditional math homework has no winners)
Students can choose a prize from the chart. This pack comes with over 48 prize cards that teachers can rotate through every week!
What Teachers Are Saying About This Math Homework Alternative:
Educators who have implemented UnHomework in their classrooms rave about its effectiveness in promoting student engagement and autonomy.
“Could not be happier with this purchase! Aligns COMPLETELY with my personal beliefs about homework and the kid engagement ROCKS!” – Lisa M.
“My best move for homework ever!” – Susan B.
“My students love using this resource. It’s just what I needed to balance school demands and my own personal beliefs about homework.” – Elle J.
How to Get It:
Ready to revolutionize your homework routine with UnHomework? You can find this innovative resource on Teachers Pay Teachers by following this link.
Want an amazing FREE tool to help UnHomework get started at your school?
If this sounds intriguing and you’d like to spread the word to your teacher friends, administrators, and parents, please share this blog post and/or download this free slide deck that explains the benefits of moving away from traditional homework. I think you’ll discover how UnHomework can support your students’ learning journey and create a more enjoyable homework experience for everyone involved!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this editable? Yes! All of the text in the packs I created are editable.
What grades is it for? UnHomework is appropriate for all elementary grade levels! However, the packs I’ve created are for K, 1s, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade.
What happens if I try this and my families and administrators hate it?
I’ve been sharing UnHomework in classrooms around the world since 2017. I have gotten very minimal negative feedback from parents or administrators since then! To play things safe, you can always do a quarter-long trial if you want to give everyone time to get used to the idea or if there is hesitation on anyone’s part. And remember, you can always show them the above presentation.
(To be fair, I am also a fan of reading X minutes per night based on age – but that’s where I draw the line. Kids need to be kids and unless we are encouraging small doses of reading, I’m out). Some teachers do choose to compile traditional packets for parents who are not on board, but that defeats the purpose in my opinion! I think it’s important to try new things even with pushback. Nothing changes if nothing changes!
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UnHomework offers a promising solution to the challenges associated with traditional homework practices. By prioritizing play-based learning and student choice, UnHomework empowers young learners to take ownership of their education while fostering a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. Try UnHomework today and embark on a new era of homework that’s engaging, meaningful, and fun!
Want to read more about this? Check out the link to another UnHomework post below:
Arm you with high-quality tools: Sleep peacefully at night knowing you’re doing what’s best for your students.
Save your energy: Provide resources that cost you little energy (that stuff is precious)---but have high impact on your students.
Light your spark: Putting fun back into your classroom after the hardest teaching years can be just what you and your students need.
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