The discourse community I chose is after-school program workers. Currently, I am a worker at an after-school program with kids that are in pre-k through fifth grade. Every school day, from 2 pm – 6 pm, my co-worker and I have four hours to help more than ten students complete the homework that they were assigned, which is surprisingly not enough time. Any worker who helps kids with their homework after school can see that this is a stressful process. Many kids have trouble completing and understanding their homework which frustrates them, and us as well.
With children not understanding their homework, it discourages them from completing it. According to Barish, a child psychologist, “Children who don’t do their homework are not lazy, he said, but they may be frustrated, discouraged, or anxious.” Barish and I both believe that this might have to do with electronics. He suggests that parents should turn off all electronics in the house. This way, children can focus more on their homework and would be less stressed.
The NA also suggests another solution. “The National Education Association and the National Parent Teacher Association recommend that students spend 10 minutes per grade level per night on homework.”. This makes homework easier for both the student and the student’s helper.
Any worker who works with kids should know about this problem. We can help students to do better in school and on their homework. An example would be Rowswell’s suggestion. Tonya Rowswell, an elementary school teacher says “For students who have a “completed” (all required spaces filled in, signatures each night, and homework completed and turned in on time), I give them either one free homework pass for the following week or a treat from my treasure box.”. This shows one way how we need to encourage students to complete their homework and complete it on time in order for them to succeed.
Sources: Rowswell, T (2021). Treasure Treats https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/winning-ideas-getting-students-complete-homework/
Lathan, J (2022).Education Inequity: Homework and its Negative Impact on Studentshttps://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/education-inequity-and-homework/
Tingley, S (2020) Should Students Have Homework https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/should-students-have-homework1808.html
I’m a little confused with your problem. I think it needs to be a little narrowing down. It sounds like you are saying that as an employee in an after school program (your discourse community) you see a problem related to homework. But what exactly is the problem and how does it affect the discourse community? Is it too much homework? (which affects the students but also after school workers, something people may not think of). Or-Is it what parents are too demanding and have unrealistic expectations around the homework and what you should be able to do/accomplish with the kids in the program? Or- is it that the after school program doesn’t give the workers the proper resources for accomplishing their job and helping kids with their homework?