The Homework Myth Quotes

“Many mothers and father return each evening from their paid jobs only to serve as homework monitors, a position for which they never applied.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth

“Students will become good readers when they read more. Students will read more when they enjoy reading. They will enjoy reading when they enjoy their reading material. They will enjoy their reading material when they are left to choose it themselves, and to delve into it on their own terms.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“The goal of reading every night is not to teach your child how to learn to read. That can be my job. The point of reading every night is beginning a conversation, making connections, learning the language of books, and sharing a love of literature.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth

“It may be the poorest teachers who assign the most homework [because] effective teachers may cover all the material in class.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“The exceptional teachers not only tended to give less homework but also were likely to give students more choices about their assignments.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“There is no evidence that any amount of homework improves the academic performance of elementary students.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“Every hour that teachers spend preparing kids to succeed on standardized tests, even if that investment pays off, is an hour not spent helping kids to become critical, curious, creative thinkers.)”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“In the absence of homework, “students come in all the time and hand me articles about something we talked about in class or tell me about a news report they saw. When intrigued by a good lesson and given freedom [from homework], they naturally seek out more knowledge.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“How will this affect children’s interest in learning, their desire to keep reading and thinking and exploring?” In the case of homework, the answer is disturbingly clear. Most kids hate homework. They dread it, groan about it, put off doing it as long as possible. It may be the single most reliable extinguisher of the flame of curiosity.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“As a rule, the point of homework generally isn’t to learn, much less to derive real pleasure from learning. It’s something to be finished. And until it is, it looms large in conversations, an unwelcome guest at the table every night.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing

“But as I mastered the material, homework ceased to be necessary. A no homework policy is a challenge to me," he adds. "I am forced to create lessons that are so good no further drilling is required when the lessons are completed.”
― Alfie Kohn, The Homework Myth