As the school year winds down, many kids are looking forward to taking family trips or hanging out with friends. But the students at Manlius Pebble Hill School in Syracuse, New York, will have to take time away from their summer fun to do homework.
Some educators say summer homework helps keep kids’ minds sharp so they don’t forget what they learned. That can also help teachers because they won’t have to use valuable time in the new school year to reteach lessons from the prior one.
“Students need a break from school, but three months removed from any activity can make reentry difficult,” says Matt Spear. He’s an administrator at Manlius Pebble Hill School.
But others argue that kids shouldn’t have to complete assignments over the summer. Many families travel, and it can be hard for kids to do homework while they’re away. Plus, there are still ways to learn while school is out. For example, kids can visit museums and historical sites.