Originally Posted by Zen Scanner
Originally Posted by bluemagic
As to homework before H.S. I think they need to have some, if only to teach the kids the study habits before grades matter so much. Teaching kids how to manage their time, keep track of homework and is a skill that doesn't come naturally to all kids. Doesn't mean they kids need to be buried in busywork.

Why wouldn't they just teach that stuff within school?

Philosophically, I'm highly skeptical of the value of any homework. Parentosophically, I like seeing some to at least satisfy my curiosity and know if DS is getting stuff at a reasonable level.
This could be taught in class if there was study hall or free work time where a student gets to choose what they are working on at a particular time. Not something my schools have a lot of. I don't see going from no homework in 8th grade to up to 2 hours of homework a night as a freshman in H.S. a good game plan. There is something to adding these skills in gradually.