Did you know that homework has been around for a long time? The ancient Romans and Greeks assigned homework to their students. Tasks like memorizing and reciting poetry or practicing speeches were considered essential for education.
In 1901, California was the first U.S. state to pass a law limiting the amount of homework teachers could assign. The law was aimed at preventing children from being overloaded with schoolwork and protecting their physical and mental health.
In 2019, NASA made headlines when they sent homework to the International Space Station (ISS). The assignment was for a Canadian student who asked, "What happens to bubbles in space?" Astronauts conducted the experiment and filmed it for the student.
A 12-year-old girl from India set a record in 2019 for completing an astonishing 1,000 math problems in just one hour as part of a math homework challenge.
A study published in the Journal of Experimental Education found that excessive homework can lead to sleep disturbances in students. Lack of sleep can impact their overall health, memory, and academic performance.
In 2016, a primary school in Finland, the Saunalahti School, decided to abolish traditional homework. Instead, they focused on playtime and family activities, and the results showed improved student performance and well-being.
A survey conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that homework can disrupt family dinners, affecting the bonding and communication time between parents and children.