School homework in the USA – torture or pleasure? School in America: internal rules, subjects, terms of study. Secondary education in the USA Is there homework in America?
Another interesting point: how does the training itself take place? In Ukraine, for example, textbooks are given to children, and they bring them home, and then take them to school every day. But in the USA it’s the other way around – children keep textbooks at school and take home only those that need homework. Students also take home workbooks, which, by the way, the school gives out for free, unlike in Ukraine, where all workbooks must be purchased with your own money. I mean those notebooks where the tasks that need to be done are written. That is, not ordinary notebooks, but those included with the textbook.
If, for example, in mathematics you need to do some assignments at home: examples, problems - the children do them on pieces of paper, hand them over to the teachers, and they file them in a folder. This way, children do not carry notebooks with them. And at school, teachers give out notebooks directly during classes, and children write in them.
The next point: in Ukraine, a lot of emphasis was placed on design - indent two boxes from the margins, after writing one task, indent three boxes and write a second one. The teachers paid close attention to this and, if one of the students stepped back one square incorrectly, they crossed everything out, etc. Here the teachers don’t care where the child writes. The main thing is that he writes the work itself correctly.
Also, many people think that if there is testing in America, then all students choose answer options at random from A, B, C, D and do not know anything. I'll tell you how homework is done in mathematics. There really are A, B, C, D, but in order to answer one of the options correctly, you need to solve the problem or example in writing. In addition, you first need to solve the example in your head and write an approximate answer, that is, emphasis is also placed on ensuring that the child can calculate orally.
I really liked the diary that is issued in an American school, and it is like a notebook, grades are not given there, but the child writes down homework and enters his notes. This is a motivational diary, let's say, it describes goals for each subsequent week and how to set them. From childhood, children are taught to improve themselves, it is very interesting.
American schools place more emphasis on practice than theory. For example, students have had laboratory work since childhood. In the 5th grade, the Outdoor School program appears, when children are taken to the forest for four days, and there students live in houses, watch the stars, watch plants, etc.
I think many will be very interested to know if there are any extracurricular activities here. There are none specifically at the school, but they are available additionally, and there are always relevant announcements about volleyball and basketball; drawing, chess club. Naturally, such events come at an additional cost. Various events are also held from the district, city, and private places - I will talk about this in some other video.
I want to talk about the behavior of children, whether they differ here from Ukrainian children. I've been told that the children here are much friendlier. For example, a foreigner comes to class and doesn’t know the language properly - no one ever laughs at him, makes fun of him, doesn’t give him nicknames, doesn’t fight with him, etc. I, of course, don’t know whether this applies to everyone or depends on how good the school is, and how well-mannered the children are, but in this school it is so. All the students try to help and the parents, by the way, too - they volunteer, come to school, work with children who are lagging behind - this is an interesting moment.
Moving to the USA is difficult, but there are categories of people for whom it is possible:
— Investors. It is enough to invest at least 1 million dollars and after 2 years all family members will receive the status of permanent resident of the United States ( EB-5 visa).
— You can also open a branch of an existing company in America or buy an existing business in the USA (from $100,000). This will make you eligible to receive an L-1 work visa, which can be exchanged for a green card.
— Famous athletes, musicians, writers and other extraordinary people can move
I present a short interview with one of the students of an American school, a former Russian schoolgirl. First, I will introduce you a little to the school education system in the United States.
Education for children begins at the age of 5 - kindergarten, but before that you can send a child from the age of 4 to preschool, this is something like our preparatory groups in kindergartens. Then there are 12 grades, which are divided into elementary school (1-5), middle (6-8) and high school (9-12).
All children can study for free from the age of 5 in public schools. Some schools and preschool are free. Usually in the morning the bus collects all the children from the area and takes them to school. Each microdistrict has its own school and you cannot change it.
Private schools are common, where education is, of course, better, but you have to pay a lot of money for it. There are also private schools in churches.
At first glance, you might think that in the church they will only force you to read prayers, etc. I thought so too. But in fact, here in America, people who believe in God are usually very honest, sincere and open, and accordingly the environment in church schools is very pleasant. Of course, there is more discipline in it and, in addition to general subjects, the child is given knowledge about religion.
Almost all schools have a school uniform. Although I heard from women from other states that they don’t have a uniform. So I won't generalize.
Now read about school life, as they say, first hand. A girl named Olga from Louisiana answers my questions.
What grade are you in now?
When you came from Russia and came to school here, what were your impressions?
Olga: I arrived on May 27, 2000...I went to school at the end of August, just like this year. At first I was a little worried about how I would be able to study in English, but soon the study itself seemed easier than in Russia.
What was difficult?
Olga: The fact that I had to constantly translate unfamiliar words. Lack of understanding of what the teacher requires.
Was the school curriculum very different?
Olga: Everything that took place at the American school turned out to be familiar. The program is easier, especially since in Russia I went to a school that was ahead of general education - the Economics and Legal Lyceum.
How did you develop relationships with your classmates?
Olga: Okay. After they found out that I was from Russia, they immediately asked a lot of questions and wanted to get to know each other better.
How are the classes here generally friendly or is everyone friends in groups?
Olga: And so, and so. In general, the atmosphere is friendly, but they try to maintain friendship among a small group. It depends on the place of residence, interests, whites try to stay more apart, just like African Americans, although there are no conflicts or any quarrels, they treat each other well on both sides.
How are grades given here?
Olga: The results are assessed based on current estimates for 6 weeks. The preliminary result is given after 3 weeks, and tests are carried out frequently, almost every week. Well, grades for work in class and for homework. Homework is checked in class, but there are no notebooks, everything is on separate sheets of paper that are attached to a folder. Diaries are not required, except for self-control. The rating system is different - not 5, 4, 3... etc., but A, B, C, D and U. That is, A is 5, but U is already a number.
How do they ask in class - strictly or only praise?
Olga: They don’t talk about successes or failures in front of everyone, only after classes. But they don’t constantly praise, just as they don’t scold. It is believed that everything can be seen from the results.
What is the general atmosphere in the class like - working, relaxed, competitive spirit or something else?
Olga: Depends on the teacher. There are teachers with strict principles, and there are also vice versa. Discipline in the classroom is not as strict as in Russia.
Do they use cheat sheets here? Do they give each other advice?
Olga: They don’t use cheat sheets, but give hints and hints.
What items do you have?
Olga: Science, Physical Education (PE), Math, English (grammar and spelling), Social Studies, Enrichment, Reading or French.
How long does the lesson last? How much per day?
Olga: A lesson lasts 40 minutes (approximately, because sometimes there are shortened lessons, for example, on holidays), there are 7 lessons per day. The lunch break is also 40 minutes; you either have lunch in the cafeteria or bring your own and dine in the Court yard (like a huge covered courtyard).
Is homework assigned?
Olga: Yes, but hours are allotted to do everything at school. They do not check daily and do not always evaluate.
Where is it easier for you to study here or in Russia?
Olga: Here in America.
Does each subject have its own teacher?
Olga: Yes.
How do teachers treat students?
Olga: Just like in Russia, students are like teachers, and they are like them. They love those who try, they do not like those who are ill-mannered and rude to them.
How do your classmates dress, do they pay attention to their clothes?
Olga: It’s impossible to pay attention to clothes; a uniform has been introduced at school. Trousers, shorts, skirts, sundresses or a khaki shorts skirt, blue or green (everything except trousers - no more than 3 inches above the knee, T-shirts (like “Peruvian”, as they would say in Russia, with a collar and buttons) - white, blue or green, socks of the same colors. A belt is required. Open shoes without heels are not allowed. But there are days when for 2 dollars you can come in whatever you want. On Thursdays you can come in a “branded” school T-shirt - like usually with a beautiful applique.
You had girlfriends in Russia and here - are they different? if yes, then with what?
Olga: They have different interests - my friends here are more interested in computers. There are more opportunities to spend time interestingly...and safely.
Would you like to return to Russia?
Olga: After I get an education or the basics of an American education, mainly language and a computer, it’s quite possible.
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01/18/2013 at 00:00, views: 4440Dear editors!
My daughter is 12 years old. She studies well and tries very hard. So there seems to be nothing to worry about. However, there is also another side to the coin. My daughter’s whole life is filled with studies. And the older she gets, the more time she spends on homework. She has no time to meet with friends, go to the skating rink or to the cinema, or just take a walk. Is it normal? Why do they ask so many questions at school? Does this make sense?
Dear O.L.!
You are not alone in your complaints. Many parents complain that their children are overloaded with homework. However, not only parents. Lately, books have been published one after another, the authors of which are convinced that there is little benefit in giving children homework assignments.
For example, Sarah Bennett, in a book with the eloquent title “The Case Against Homeschooling,” argues that today’s teachers have changed their traditional attitude towards homework and do not expect any serious positive results from it.
Alfie Kohn shares a similar opinion.
His book, The Homework Myth, provides many compelling statistics to prove that there is no direct correlation between more homework and student achievement.
“Folk wisdom” says: when children study at home, it teaches them self-discipline, responsibility, and develops the skills to successfully master the material. Cohn argues with this. He thinks it's an illusion.
Sarah Bennett says she finds it difficult to convince parents that there is no need to torture children who are already tired in class with extra learning at home. Many moms and dads continue to hold conservative views
Dora Teitelbaum, a mother of two from Los Angeles, believes that homework for them is “a chance for a better future,” that it is “a necessary evil that, when they grow up, will make them competitive in the modern world.”
The benefit, in her opinion, is that the teacher has a free hand: during the lesson he can devote more time to explaining new material, while at home the children consolidate knowledge on sections they have already covered.
Tamara Butler from Chicago, like our reader, whose letter is given at the beginning of this article, expresses serious doubts.
She sees how her daughter, third-grader Masha, sits through her homework every evening for at least two hours. The girl is tired, nervous, and afraid that if she doesn’t have time to complete all the tasks, she will get into trouble. “When a teacher does her job well, she does not need to overload the children with homework,” says Tamara.
In her opinion, the problem is that they ask too many questions when the teacher is disconnected from the child’s real life. It is necessary not to remain silent, but to maintain constant contact between school and family and not be embarrassed to openly say that children are often unable to do what is required of them.
Here is another fairly typical example, which is given on the pages of Parents magazine.
Rachel, 12, enjoys playing soccer, making beads, and spending time with her grandparents. However, there was no time for all these joys when she went to high school this fall, and she began to be assigned much more homework.
Now working on homework takes four hours, not two, as before. “She's just a baby,” lamented her father, Alex Bennett of Silverado, California. - Because of all this, tears, grief, family disputes. Everyone is upset."
Alex decided to act and joined the movement of parents and teachers who are fighting against overloading schoolchildren with homework. They say that they are thereby deprived of childhood, hours of sleep and rest are cut, and time for family communication is reduced.
“Groups of parents go to schools and call: “Come to your senses. We want our children to have a normal life,” says Kathy Vatterott, a professor at the University of Missouri who studies the issue. Parental raids do not pass without leaving a trace. Schools are making concessions and reducing the amount of homework. For example, in the city of Danville, California, students stopped giving assignments on weekends and holidays. In Palo Alto, public education officials have banned the schooling of children during winter break. In the city where Rachel studies, in response to complaints from parents, local authorities asked teachers to assign less and nothing at all on weekends.
So what do homework opponents want? Completely remove them from use? Ban? Sarah Bennett says frankly that she would welcome such a ban. At first, she is ready to accept the fact that in some individual cases the teacher may ask a little to support some of the most complex topics.
But in general, she doesn't see much point in doing housework. “Teachers do not receive any training to be able to design any truly effective and intelligent activities,” she writes in her book. “I’ve never seen anything noteworthy in this area, and I don’t think there could be any.”
In addition, work is evaluated formally. Checking is done randomly. After a child has spent the whole evening studying textbooks and notebooks, he or she is offended and incomprehensible when the teacher puts the sheets of hard-won work in his briefcase without saying anything.
Another already mentioned author, Alfie Kohn, is also in principle for a ban, at least in primary school. It is better for children to spend their evenings in free communication with their mothers and fathers, and the sword of Damocles of unfinished lessons should not hang over their heads. Assignments are appropriate only in some exceptional cases, when they are really necessary and sharpen students’ interest in learning.
But the question is - how much should you ask for at home? - is not as simple as it may seem, and a definite answer to it is not easy to find. The debate about homework has been going on in America for centuries. In the 19th century and early 20th, sociologists and doctors opposed homework, arguing that it made children weak, nervous and vulnerable.
Edward Bok, editor of the Ladies’ Home Journal, in an article published in 1900 under the eloquent title “A National Crime Under the Noses of American Parents,” cried: “When will parents finally open their eyes to this terrible evil? That they are as blind as bats if they don’t see what lies behind this madness of evening classes.”
California has been at the forefront of the anti-homework movement. In 1901, the State Legislature passed a law that prohibited homework for children under 15, and for those older, limited to 20 questions per week.
The law, however, was repealed in 1917. But since then, the country’s homework policy has been repeatedly revised in one direction or the other. Proponents of homeschooling have prevailed every time national pride has been dealt a blow and doubts have arisen about the quality of education in the United States.
This was the case after the launch of the first Soviet satellite in 1957. This was the case in the 1980s, when Japan made a noticeable breakthrough in the field of technological progress.
In recent years, passions have flared up again. Vikki Ables, director of the documentary Race to Nowhere, believes drastic action must be taken to eliminate homeschooling as soon as possible. She says: "We have not yet sounded the alarm loudly enough to express our concerns about the health and future of our children."
Together with Sarah Bennett and Alfie Kohn, Able drafted a petition called "A Guide to Healthy Homeworking." The authors hope that the petition will be approved by the National Parent Teacher Association, or National PTA for short. Find out more at www.change.org/healthyhomework.
If you have any concerns about the scope or content of an assignment, please share them with teachers and school management.
Encourage children to take notes if they were unclear about something or had questions while completing assignments.
Help set up a suitable place at home where your child can do his homework in peace. Limit extracurricular activities so that children have time to devote to homework and family.
Monitor how much time your child spends watching TV or computer and, if it is too much, take action.
Discuss with your son or daughter when the best time is for them to do their homework. Try to arrange a schedule so that after they complete the tasks, there is free time for rest.
Praise children when they show diligence. If they ask for help, ask them questions and give examples instead of just giving them an answer or solving a problem for them.
Younger children need more help. If your child is in elementary school, check his completed assignment from start to finish.
Always ask your teachers what the school's homework policy is. A clear understanding of this will clear up many misunderstandings.
How much time should a child spend on homework?
The National Education Association (NTE) proposes the following standards:
From kindergarten to third grade at school - no more than 20 minutes a day.
From fourth to sixth grade - from 20 to 40 minutes per day
As a rule, a student who has decided to go to college needs to devote more time to homework than his classmate who intends to get a job immediately after graduation.
But, of course, this formulation sounds vague. The so-called “10-minute rule” looks more specific. It means that with the transition to the next grade, the time for homework should increase by 10 minutes.
If you compare with the recommendations of the Ministry of Education, you will see that the “10 Minute Rule” is somewhat at odds with them. But many schools like this rule. Obviously because of its simplicity. That is, preschoolers and first-graders need to be given lessons that they can complete in 10 minutes, in the second grade - 20 minutes, in the third - 30 minutes, etc. And high school students will have to spend up to two hours.
The “10-minute rule” is considered optimal by such an authoritative expert on the problem of homework as psychology professor Harris Cooper from Duke University, who devoted many years to this topic and wrote an interesting book “The Battle over Homework: Common Ground for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents.”
For more information, contact the National PTA or the National Education Association.
Their websites are respectively -
Here are some more useful Internet addresses:
www.kidsource.com
www.newsforparents.org
www.stophomework.com
I will talk here about how education is organized in American public (free) schools in our state of Massachusetts (each state has its own differences).
Here are the questions and answers:
1) Is it possible to learn more about the education system in American schools? How many classes are there in American schools?
Children go to school in America for only 13 years (from 5 to 18 years old).
School in America is divided into 3 different schools:
Elementary school: from 0 to 4 grades (5 years)
Middle school: from 5th to 8th grade (4 years)
Senior classes (High School): from grades 9 to 12 (4 years).
All three schools are located in different buildings. My youngest son went to 3rd grade at Elementary school this year, and my eldest went to 10th grade at High School.
2) In Russia you can study 9th or 11th grade, is there something similar in the USA?
Yes, there is something similar. After grades 8, 9, 10 or 11, a teenager can go to study at a technical school, where, along with general education, he can receive some useful specialty, for example:
Engineer,
Electromechanic,
Teacher at a preschool institution,
Landscape designer,
Telecommunications specialist
Marketing Specialist,
and others.
3) What subjects are there in American schools that are not taught in Russia?
My eldest son is in 10th grade. Here are the subjects he is taking this year (5 compulsory and one optional).
Required subjects in 10th grade:
2. Algebra
3. Chemistry
5. American Studies. They have this instead of history (the history of the ancient world and other states was in high school).
The elective subject at our school could be chosen from the following (usually the choice depends on the state): “Photography”, “Ceramic Making”, “Drawing”, “Painting”, “Additional course in physics”, “Additional course in history and law”.
My son chose “Photography” (this is classic photography, not digital, where photographs are processed according to all the rules: developer, fixer, clothespins, etc.). His works are very creative, especially black and white.
Compulsory subjects in 9th grade were:
1. English (as native language)
2. Social Studies includes World History and Geography
3. Physics
4. Spanish (as a foreign language)
5. Geometry
4) How is education organized in American schools?
The fact is that starting from grade 9, teenagers are asked to choose their level of study in each subject. The teenager and his parents, together with teachers, choose the level of study that best suits the teenager's interests and abilities in a given area.
Each subject has 3 levels, and each teacher has 3 groups of students:
Level 1 (the easiest): College Preparation class - Preparation class for college (university)
Level 2 (more difficult): Honors class - Excellent class
Level 3 (the most difficult): Advanced Placement class - Class of increased difficulty
All children have different interests and different abilities. So someone might take English or algebra in a Tier 3 class and chemistry or physics in a Tier 1 class.
Level 2 and 3 classes cover the same material as Level 1 classes, but in more depth and their curriculum focuses on developing independent thinking and creative ideas. The class size is slightly smaller than a Level 1 class to make it easier for students to participate in class discussions and express their opinions. At the end of the year, classes of all levels take the same annual test (MCAS), and in grades 11 and 12 - the SAT test (this is something like the Russian EG).
The test is the same for everyone, and in order to pass it, you need to know the compulsory syllabus, so a student who did well in Level 1 can pass this test with flying colors. And those who studied in Levels 2 and 3 classes, if they pass the test well, will receive in addition the note “graduated with Honors” (“graduated the course with honors”), and this is a big plus upon admission! And the more of these “differences” in each subject, the better.
In elementary school, learning is organized more simply. Children learn to read, write and count in a class of 25 with one teacher. Once a day they have an additional subject: Physical Education, Art or Music. During the day they have many short breaks, as well as two long breaks, one of which is for lunch.
Lunch can be purchased at school or brought with you.
5)Chow many lessons per day?
Lessons consist of modules (blocks) of 25 minutes each.
Because all high school students attend classes at different levels, each teen has a different schedule than other students.
Here is a typical day for my tenth grade son:
Algebra: 3 modules of 25 min.
Studying America: 2 modules of 25 min.
Break: 3 modules of 25 min.
Photography: 2 modules of 25 min.
Break: 1 module of 25 minutes.
Spanish: 2 modules of 25 min.
Chemistry: 2 modules of 25 min.
6) When do children come to school and when do they leave?
In primary schools, the school day lasts from 8.40 to 14.40.
In secondary school - from 8.00 to 14.40.
In high school - from 7.30 to 14.40
Many children travel to and from school by school bus, the route of which takes into account the children's residence in a given town.
Many parents bring their children to school and pick them up by car. If parents cannot pick up a child after school, he can, for an additional fee, attend an extended day group at school, where teachers will work with him, play educational games, do crafts and help him with his homework.
Every morning, when children go to school, at several intersections located near each school, traffic controllers in yellow vests stand and stop vehicles to allow children to cross the road safely. Traffic controllers are not police officers, they work at the school.
When children arrive at school and when they go home, police are stationed outside the school to monitor the safety of children and to prevent undesirable individuals from approaching schools who may pose a threat to children.
I apologize for the quality of the photos. Teachers don't like people taking pictures at school (you need special permission to do this), so I had to secretly take pictures with my mobile phone.
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School is the place where personality is formed. Americans know this firsthand and formulate educational programs so that every student can discover their abilities and achieve success in the future.
We are in website decided to find out what is special about schools in the USA and why American children are ready to conquer the world.
1. Freedom of choice
American children learn to make decisions and choices from a very early age. Schools have several compulsory subjects and a number of elective subjects depending on the student's interest.
There are no rigid classes or groups in schools; students are called students and take courses that develop their inclinations and interests. Each student can have their own class schedule.
2. An optimistic view of the future
Students understand that their well-being in adulthood depends not on the chosen profession or type of activity, but on success in this area.
You don't have to be a lawyer or a banker. You can become a car mechanic and do top-notch work without needing anything.
3. Credit system
Students need to score 100 points to receive a high school diploma. For each course at school, the student receives points - a credit. To advance to the next school, you must achieve the minimum credits for that level. And then, in order to take college prep classes, the student must have “personal credit.”
Sometimes students accumulate such a high credit that it is enough for a good discount on higher education. It turns out, and here children have 2 options: either achieve everything with their own work and abilities, earning a loan, or pay for college education with their parents’ money.
4. Constantly new faces
Every year the composition of classes and teachers changes. Children learn to adapt to a new team and feel comfortable - it is believed that this skill will be very useful to them in adulthood.
5. No entrance exams
During the senior year, students write test papers in subjects, and at the end of the year the results are sent to colleges and universities. And after graduating from school, the student considers invitations to study from different educational institutions or sends requests to them himself.
6. Independence
American children perceive teachers not as superiors, but rather as learning partners. You need to collaborate with them to get maximum results.
From childhood, students are taught independence. From the age of 6 they are allowed to stay overnight, then school organizations encourage weekend trips and summer vacations to a holiday camp. From the age of 16–17, many teenagers acquire the highest sign of independence - their own car.