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Forum Faculty Podcast

The Homework Problem

In this episode, Lower School teacher, Elias Naegele, and Upper School teachers, Joel Sellier, and Michael Hude, engage in a comprehensive debate on the role and effectiveness of homework in student development. They explore differing viewpoints on the necessity of homework, its impact on motivation and resilience, and how it balances with classroom work and personal time. The conversation delves into the merits of fostering independent learning versus traditional rote assignments, the importance of tailored and thoughtful homework, and strategies for incorporating creativity and virtue-building into school routines. The discussion concludes by considering the broader implications for educational philosophy and practical classroom approaches.

Chapters

  • 00:17 Intro
  • 02:04 What is “Homework?”
  • 06:19 Reading vs. Written Work
  • 07:47 The “No Homework” Argument
  • 12:26 Homework as an Exercise in Self-Discipline
  • 16:08 How Much Time Does a Student Have?
  • 21:40 Does Homework Even Work?
  • 23:09 Homework Time
  • 25:03 Are Textbooks beneficial?
  • 27:22 Maybe We Should Hold onto Homework
  • 29:02 Elias is Reminded of Seabiscuit
  • 30:34 Change from Family Centered into School Centered Mentality
  • 32:12 Appropriate Homework Loads for Students
  • 33:47 Unassigned Leisure Reading
  • 35:33 Joel Aside and Seventh Grade Religion
  • 37:09 Memory Work
  • 39:00 Memorization
  • 39:50 Homework must be Assigned Well
  • 42:31 Other Responsibilities and the Juggling Act
  • 43:10 Does Homework make one Pretend or Love their work
  • 46:42 The Overworked Student is the Exception, Not the Rule
  • 51:16 Homework as Training in Virtue

About the Authors

Elias Naegele

Fourth Grade Homeroom

In addition to his responsibilities in the Lower School, Elias coaches high school baseball and directs Heights Frontiers, an outdoor adventure program.

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Joel Sellier

Director of Summer Programs, Math
Joel Sellier joined the faculty of The Heights School in 2004. He is the Director of Summer Programs, as well as an upper school math and computer science teacher. Mr. Sellier’s classes include Geometry, Intro to Computer Science and Business Computing Applications. He also coaches the varsity golf team. Mr. Sellier graduated from The College of W...
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Michael Hude

College Counselor, Ninth Grade Core
Michael Hude joined the faculty at The Heights in 2009 and teaches 9th Grade Core and History of Western Thought, while also serving as a College Counselor. Prior to coming to The Heights, Michael served as the Director of the Elementary Tenley Achievement Program (TAP), a non-profit organization that mentors at-risk youth in the greater Washington,...
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