The Case Against Homework - The Homework Potato
Yes, you read that right, Homework Potato. Kids need to run, they need to yell, they need to roll on the ground, dig in the dirt, make mud pies. They need to be free for a little while.
And, so I give you Chapter 4 of TCAH entitled The Creation of the Homework Potato. I won’t give away all their juice, but some things were staggering and I couldn’t resist.
- Since 1980’s, the number of overweight children it the U.S. has tripled.
- Since the 1980’s, the number of children with diabetes has increased dramatically.
Some more food for thought:
- homework is a major obstacle to kids who need to lose weight
- in many schools, recess doesn’t exist and physical education is only taught two or three times a week….
And, from TCAH says,
“…..4,600 U.S. elementary schools have no recess at all …..and physical education classes aren’t physical anymore….Even when kids do have physical education…..after teachers manage kids’ behavior and taught them rules, there was an average of 4.8 minutes left in class for vigorous activity”
People, I taught physical education. My first year, there were two p.e. teachers and 600 children a day. I am not kidding you.
How many of you would volunteer to work at the McDonald’s play area for 8 hours a day, five days a week with anywhere from 80 to 120 different students coming in one door and going out another every 30 minutes?
Unfortunately, that’s what physical education has come to these days…thus we get that “homework potatoes”. Don’t let it happen to your kid!
October 1st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
One of the (many) reasons I homeschool is because my daughter has always been naturally active. Kindergarten was miserable, at one point they suggested she go to “occupational therapy” for a supposed (minor) spinal issue (which doesn’t, and has never, existed - doctor confirms - doctor also says that my daughter is her healthiest patient) saying exercise would help (she’s non-stop activity at home). The thought that he had to go to “occupational therapy” to get exercise during school - when at home she can run around and get exercise all day, was one of several reasons I decided to homeschool her. If she needs exercise - then she needs to stay out of school.
I started homeschooling her in first grade - she’s in third now. Her speech problems she started experiencing in Kindergarten disappeared right away, she regained her spirit she lost at the beginning of school - and she gets hours and hours of physical activity every day. Riding bike, scooter, roller blades, walks to the creek, climbing trees, sports with neighborhood kids, even running around school track after hours, etc. etc. - inside it’s dance and exercise videos and free-dancing to her favorite music whenever she wants. But if it’s nice out - we can take advantage of the weather and enjoy the outdoors and then study at night.
My daughter is the youngest of six. My first and my last (her) child were far more active than any of the others. Had I known about homeschooling when I had my first (24 years ago) I would have homeschooled him. (In kindergarden they were saying he had ADD and all that stuff when it started becoming fashionable - I never put him on medication - he didn’t need it - still doesn’t.)
Kids don’t belong at a desk five hours a day. It’s not healthy. If there’s a serious need for exercise - homeschooling should be given serious consideration.
The next serious consideration? Get rid of the t.v. I raised my kids without one in the house and it was the best thing I ever did.
But these are great statistics you have. I have a blog at http://www.reportingstatistics.blogspot.com and I’m really thinking about doing a post on statistics on physical education in school (as soon as I finish my other fifty billion projects…) because your post just opened up a can of worms in me…(well, my daughter does like fishing…)…
But first, I’m starving. So I’ll eat then worry about sitting on my butt and writing about exercising… sorry the post is a reading mess..I should be working so I’m rushing!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Absolutely awesome. My original degree (I say that because I was led in many directions and have many certificates) was in physical education. I had a certificate in P.E. and Chemistry. I spent a year in chiropractic school and now I have a Masters in Pschology with a certificate in Counseling or a Masters in Counseling as I prefer to say to be less wordy (and heave help me, I need to be less wordy).
Did you read my post directly before this one regarding my kindergarten child today at school. He lost part of his P.E. for talking during silent lunch. Hold on, since when do we think over-active kids do better if we punish them by making them lose their time to be active? This was my biggest issue with other teachers when I worked in a public school AND when I was telling my husband about it a few minutes ago, he said, “that’s why no one liked you eh?” And, sadly, the answer is yes, that’s exactly why, I wasn’t willing to let the math or science teacher take away a child’s PE in order to make them behave. I battled teachers, parents and administrators over this and luckily due to some folks in high places in the world of PE teachers.
I enjoyed your comment! Thanks!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Please keep in mind that there is Type 1 Diabetes and then there is Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes usually afflicts the healthiest of children. It has nothing to do with whether the child has eaten a Happy Meal, exercised all day, or done more than one hour of homework. Type 2 typically affects overweight, sedentary type children. Yes, it pains me to see overweight kids with very unhealthy lifestyles. However, please don’t lump ALL diabetic kids in that bunch. Type 1 is a different sort of beast. It can NOT be prevented.
Thanks,
Mom to a Type 1 Diabetic Child (healthy weight, homeschooled, no homework, and she runs around all day long — she just happens to be powered by 7 insulin shots per day).
November 25th, 2008 at 11:04 am
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