is summer homework necessary

Should kids get summer homework?

by: Leslie Crawford | Updated: June 12, 2023

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Jill Notte’s daughter Sara is a straight-A student, and she’s taking five advanced-placement courses this fall. It’ll be her senior year.

This ambitious undertaking may prove Sara’s undoing — at least if the 17 year old wants to enjoy her summer vacation. Somewhere in between spending a week at a Girls State program, a month at the New Jersey Governor’s School of Engineering and Technology at Rutger’s University, and visiting a few potential colleges, Sara must complete the following workload before school starts:

• Read five novels for AP English • Read one book for AP History • Complete a packet of assignments and problems for AP Calculus • Complete a packet of assignments and problems for AP Chemistry • Write several summaries of scientific principles for Honors Physics

Oh, and her English teacher recommends that she attend Shakespeare performances at the local college to supplement the many plays she’s required to read as part of AP English. “I try to put a positive spin on it,” says Sara’s mother, Jill. “I told her, ‘Summertime’s a great time to read Shakespeare!'” But, admits Jill, it’s not so easy to put the same kind of “fun” spin on the stack of mind-numbing calculus and chemistry books hefty enough to take down a Yellowstone grizzly.

Forget languidly balmy weeks unwinding from the stress of an intensive school year. Goodbye, as well, to working her usual summer job as a lifeguard, which Sara unhappily has to forgo — along with the money she hoped to save for college. As her mother puts it, “Summer homework is a full-time job.”

A working vacation

Sara’s not alone. The oxymoronically named “vacation work” is on the rise. Sara’s older sister had only a few books to read over the summer when she was in high school — and that was just eight years ago. Jill, who like her daughters was a high achiever in the top five percent of her class, remembers completely homework-free summers.

Many parents remember their own childhood summers as true respites from school, devoid the rigor and rigidity of academic life. Summer was a sprawling mass of unstructured time that ranged from idyllic laziness to stupefying boredom to invigorating camps and family vacations, not scores of math worksheets, science packets, and lists of “good-for-you” classics that hardly qualify as light beach reads.

Harris Cooper, chairman of the department of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University and America’s leading homework scholar who co-authored the landmark meta-study on homework , says that while there exists no formal studies on the rise in summertime homework, he’s witnessed a particularly sharp increase over the past two years — probably a response “to high-stakes testing and accountability issues for schools.”

Just say no?

Some parents argue summer homework is nothing more than bland busywork that saps the joy and spontaneity from summer. So says Sara Bennett, founder of StopHomework.com . “Even if there is a summer slide, I don’t think homework is the solution,” Bennett says. “Kids don’t have enough downtime during the school year. I think they need that freshness during summer.”

Here’s a revolutionary approach for vacation purists who say kids deserve a good, old-fashioned summer free from intense brain-strain: Just say no. That’s what Bennett suggests a parent do in the fall if a child is averse to doing the packet. “I’d send it back and say, ‘I’m sorry, my child didn’t have a chance to do it.’ ” (A parental dispensation only possible for kids who haven’t entered the high-school pressure cooker where — as with Sara Notte — summer homework is graded and can directly affect a student’s chances to enter a top-tier university.)

Protecting young minds from melting

On the other side of the summer homework debate are the moms and dads who, when the school doors slam shut, ramp up the supplemental brain work, even if the teachers didn’t provide it themselves. Most parents, though, fall somewhere in the for-better-or-worse-summer-homework-is-here-to-stay camp.

So if the kids have to do it, can we at least be reassured that it’s a magic bullet to protect young minds from melting? “We can’t say that with any objective data,” Cooper says. “But we would make the assumption if students are continuing to flex their mental muscles over the summer, this would have a positive effect on how much material they retain when they return.”

No buy-in from the kids

“There definitely is a lag — I’m not denying that,” says Denise Pope, senior lecturer at the Stanford University School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success , a research and student-intervention project. “I absolutely agree that three months is a long time to not do anything. That said, I’m not sure this idea of giving workbooks and pages and pages of handouts works.”

The reason it doesn’t work? “There’s not a buy-in from the [kids],” Pope argues. “In order for any learning to be retained, there has to be engagement on the part of the students.” Pope explains that students need the “ABCs of engagement,” which means they’re engaged affectively, behaviorally, and cognitively. “If they’re intrinsically motivated, then they’ll want to do it.”

“I know kids who get these huge 40-page math packets,” Pope says. “It’s because [teachers] want [kids], over time, to have systematic practice. The problem is that this requires an adult to monitor this kind of disciplined work. It’s not like a kid can do that on his own. So it puts a burden more on the parents.”

Year-round homework blues

So, alas, those nightly angst-ridden homework dramas that run from September through June now get year-round billing. The other problem, Pope says, is that summer homework packets (frequently put off until the last unhappy week before school begins), often seem to fall into an academic black hole once they’re turned in — with no feedback from teachers and no effect on kids’ grades.

As for the work that Pope’s three kids — ages 10, 12, and 15 — get handed at school’s end, she tells them, “‘I won’t bug you about this at all. I won’t be the police.’ We look at the assignments they get for the summer and I say, ‘How long do you think this will take? Do you want me to remind you to do it?’ ” But if they leave it until the tail end of the summer, Pope says, well, that’s their choice. It’s their vacation, after all.

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Should Schools Assign Summer Homework? Educators Weigh In

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School’s almost out for summer. Should students clear out their lockers and leave empty-handed—or laden down with stacks of math problems and required reading lists? Will teachers warn of repercussions for failing to turn in summer work assignments upon returning to school in the fall, or simply advise students to have fun and stay safe?

It depends on whom you ask.

It turns out that not all educators share the same perspective on whether to assign summer homework, who needs it most, what it should consist of, and how to make sure it gets done. Education Week put the question to state teachers of the year and representatives of statewide principals associations. Here’s what they had to say.

Play and pleasure reading prioritized by many educators

Play and pleasure reading topped the list of responses to the question: What summer homework should students be assigned? Teachers (of both young and older students) were more likely than the principals who responded to suggest that kids need a break in the summer.

“For young children, specifically pre-K to grade 3, I feel that over the summer children need to have their summer break and be provided with the opportunity to explore, get plenty of physical activity, and play. Children learn from play. Play teaches children about problem-solving and social interactions,” said Tara Hughes, a pre-K inclusion teacher at the Nye Early Childhood Center in Santa Fe who was voted 2023 New Mexico State Teacher of the Year.

“Students should have no formal ‘homework'—worksheets or practice books,” said Lori Danz, who is Wisconsin’s 2023 State Teacher of the Year. She teaches high school biology and serves as a school forest coordinator, overseeing outdoor learning. in the Superior school district in the northern part of the state. “I think it’s good for students and families to get away from that, and learn in authentic ways: hiking, cooking, fixing things. So much learning happens that way. We forget that it’s learning.”

Danz acknowledged that not every family has the same amount of free time or resources available to them during the summer. But she added that many districts, including her own, offer free enrichment activities at local schools during the summer that provide activities such as sports, crafts, and physical fitness.

While “play” was a popular response to the question of what type of work kids should be assigned in the summer, some educators suggested that students of all ages read during break to stay sharp.

“Reading for pleasure authentically enhances many academic skills such as cultivating a love for reading, improves reading and writing skills, develops concentration, encourages creativity and imagination, and allows children to be more open to differences and perspectives,” said Krystal Colbert, a 2nd grade teacher at Mitchellville Elementary in Iowa’s Southeast Polk school district, and another Teacher of the Year.

One teacher took the reading directive a step further. Brian Skinner, a high school special education teacher with the Newton Unified school district 373 in Kansas and the state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year, said he thinks students should spend time regularly writing and reading for pleasure. “Not only that, but I believe it is important to read from actual books versus phones or other technology,” Skinner said. It’s a belief shared by some literacy experts , too.

Which students most need summer work?

Educators offered a range of opinions when asked which students most need summer work. Principals interviewed for this article were more likely than teachers to feel students should be doing summer work.

“How good is a golfer that takes a three-month break with no practice? Even if you do not play nine or 18 holes regularly, you can go the range, you can chip, you can practice putting,” said Jerald A. Barris, a high school principal at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School in Midland, Pa., and a regional representative for the Pennsylvania Principals Association.

Ed Roth, the principal of Penncrest High School in Media, Pa., believes in math homework over the summer for high school students. “In mathematics, it is important for students to have some review and skills practice so that they do not need to spend the first marking period reviewing prior learning, therefore taking away their ability to cover all necessary content for their current course,” he said. Roth’s perspective, which suggests the loss of skills during summer break, has been well-documented in recent research .

But other educators favor a more tailored approach to summer work.

Danz, the Wisconsin high school biology teacher, said that she believes all students need a break from homework but added this caveat: “You can always find exceptions…students who may need remedial practice.”

Fabiana Parker, the 2023 Virginia Teacher of the Year, agreed. A teacher of English learners at Thornburg Middle School in Spotsylvania County, Va., Parker said “it is essential to take into account the unique needs of each student” when it comes to summer work. She elaborated with an account of her own children, recalling how she established a routine of daily math practice during the summer but only for her daughter who struggled with math and, in Parker’s assessment, needed the additional support.

Other educators said they are more likely to assign summer work to students on an accelerated track. Such is the case for Michael Ida, Hawaii’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. He teaches at Kalani High School in Honolulu. Ida said that, for most high school students, he recommends no summer work other than reading for pleasure. But he makes an exception for students who choose to enroll in more rigorous courses.

“I teach AP Calculus, and those students do have some required review work to complete over the summer,” Ida said. He gives them math problems that he has created—both routine review problems and more substantial problem solving exercises that emphasize logical thinking and communication.

A creative approach to summer work

Summer should be synonymous with creative learning, some educators emphasized. “Summer is a time to continue learning in the way that every child in every classroom should be taught, with a focus on each child’s passions and strengths and in the way that is most effective for them,” said Catherine Matthews, a pre-K special education teacher at Hyalite Elementary School in Bozeman, Mont., and the state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.

“If a child is struggling with fractions but loves to cook, allow them to practice their math skills while doing something that they love. If they need to practice their reading fluency, allow them to choose books of personal interest,” Matthews added.

Second grade teacher Colbert expressed a desire for kids to experience the type of old-fashioned summer that, for countless students, no longer exists. “My wish is that all kids are outside exploring the beautiful world around them, interacting with their friends and family, growing their inquisitive minds, fostering their creativity, and limiting the use of technology,” she said.

Who’s responsible for making sure summer work gets done?

Assigning summer work is one thing; monitoring its completion is another.

Pennsylvania high school principal Barris said parents are ultimately responsible for making sure their kids do the work. “I believe it should fall on the parents for the most part with opportunities, suggestions, and strategies provided by the school in concert with the community where the child resides,” he said, while acknowledging this challenge. “That said,” he added, “getting my 11-year-old to read and practice his skills in the summer is easier said than done.”

A version of this article appeared in the June 14, 2023 edition of Education Week as Should Schools Assign Summer Homework? Educators Weigh In

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Credit: August de Richelieu

Does homework still have value? A Johns Hopkins education expert weighs in

Joyce epstein, co-director of the center on school, family, and community partnerships, discusses why homework is essential, how to maximize its benefit to learners, and what the 'no-homework' approach gets wrong.

By Vicky Hallett

The necessity of homework has been a subject of debate since at least as far back as the 1890s, according to Joyce L. Epstein , co-director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University. "It's always been the case that parents, kids—and sometimes teachers, too—wonder if this is just busy work," Epstein says.

But after decades of researching how to improve schools, the professor in the Johns Hopkins School of Education remains certain that homework is essential—as long as the teachers have done their homework, too. The National Network of Partnership Schools , which she founded in 1995 to advise schools and districts on ways to improve comprehensive programs of family engagement, has developed hundreds of improved homework ideas through its Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork program. For an English class, a student might interview a parent on popular hairstyles from their youth and write about the differences between then and now. Or for science class, a family could identify forms of matter over the dinner table, labeling foods as liquids or solids. These innovative and interactive assignments not only reinforce concepts from the classroom but also foster creativity, spark discussions, and boost student motivation.

"We're not trying to eliminate homework procedures, but expand and enrich them," says Epstein, who is packing this research into a forthcoming book on the purposes and designs of homework. In the meantime, the Hub couldn't wait to ask her some questions:

What kind of homework training do teachers typically get?

Future teachers and administrators really have little formal training on how to design homework before they assign it. This means that most just repeat what their teachers did, or they follow textbook suggestions at the end of units. For example, future teachers are well prepared to teach reading and literacy skills at each grade level, and they continue to learn to improve their teaching of reading in ongoing in-service education. By contrast, most receive little or no training on the purposes and designs of homework in reading or other subjects. It is really important for future teachers to receive systematic training to understand that they have the power, opportunity, and obligation to design homework with a purpose.

Why do students need more interactive homework?

If homework assignments are always the same—10 math problems, six sentences with spelling words—homework can get boring and some kids just stop doing their assignments, especially in the middle and high school years. When we've asked teachers what's the best homework you've ever had or designed, invariably we hear examples of talking with a parent or grandparent or peer to share ideas. To be clear, parents should never be asked to "teach" seventh grade science or any other subject. Rather, teachers set up the homework assignments so that the student is in charge. It's always the student's homework. But a good activity can engage parents in a fun, collaborative way. Our data show that with "good" assignments, more kids finish their work, more kids interact with a family partner, and more parents say, "I learned what's happening in the curriculum." It all works around what the youngsters are learning.

Is family engagement really that important?

At Hopkins, I am part of the Center for Social Organization of Schools , a research center that studies how to improve many aspects of education to help all students do their best in school. One thing my colleagues and I realized was that we needed to look deeply into family and community engagement. There were so few references to this topic when we started that we had to build the field of study. When children go to school, their families "attend" with them whether a teacher can "see" the parents or not. So, family engagement is ever-present in the life of a school.

My daughter's elementary school doesn't assign homework until third grade. What's your take on "no homework" policies?

There are some parents, writers, and commentators who have argued against homework, especially for very young children. They suggest that children should have time to play after school. This, of course is true, but many kindergarten kids are excited to have homework like their older siblings. If they give homework, most teachers of young children make assignments very short—often following an informal rule of 10 minutes per grade level. "No homework" does not guarantee that all students will spend their free time in productive and imaginative play.

Some researchers and critics have consistently misinterpreted research findings. They have argued that homework should be assigned only at the high school level where data point to a strong connection of doing assignments with higher student achievement . However, as we discussed, some students stop doing homework. This leads, statistically, to results showing that doing homework or spending more minutes on homework is linked to higher student achievement. If slow or struggling students are not doing their assignments, they contribute to—or cause—this "result."

Teachers need to design homework that even struggling students want to do because it is interesting. Just about all students at any age level react positively to good assignments and will tell you so.

Did COVID change how schools and parents view homework?

Within 24 hours of the day school doors closed in March 2020, just about every school and district in the country figured out that teachers had to talk to and work with students' parents. This was not the same as homeschooling—teachers were still working hard to provide daily lessons. But if a child was learning at home in the living room, parents were more aware of what they were doing in school. One of the silver linings of COVID was that teachers reported that they gained a better understanding of their students' families. We collected wonderfully creative examples of activities from members of the National Network of Partnership Schools. I'm thinking of one art activity where every child talked with a parent about something that made their family unique. Then they drew their finding on a snowflake and returned it to share in class. In math, students talked with a parent about something the family liked so much that they could represent it 100 times. Conversations about schoolwork at home was the point.

How did you create so many homework activities via the Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork program?

We had several projects with educators to help them design interactive assignments, not just "do the next three examples on page 38." Teachers worked in teams to create TIPS activities, and then we turned their work into a standard TIPS format in math, reading/language arts, and science for grades K-8. Any teacher can use or adapt our prototypes to match their curricula.

Overall, we know that if future teachers and practicing educators were prepared to design homework assignments to meet specific purposes—including but not limited to interactive activities—more students would benefit from the important experience of doing their homework. And more parents would, indeed, be partners in education.

Posted in Voices+Opinion

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LESSON PLAN

Should schools give summer homework.

Analyzing Authors’ Claims

Read the Article

YES: Harris Cooper, Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University NO: Nancy Kalish, co-author, The Case Against Homework

Analyze the debate.

1. Set Focus Frame the inquiry with this essential question: What factors should officials take into consideration when creating curriculum?

2. R ead and Discuss Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether schools should assign homework to students over the summer break.  The issue is timely because disruptions to education stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic have resulted in significant learning loss for many students.)
• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Harris Cooper is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. Nancy Kalish is the co-author of a book that argues against assigning homework.)  
• Analyze Cooper’s view. (Cooper argues in favor of schools assigning summer homework. He says that a long summer vacation without schoolwork leads to forgetting and results in teachers having to waste time reviewing old material in the fall. He says summer homework can minimize these negative results the way summer school has been proven to.)
• Analyze Kalish’s view. (Kalish argues against assigning homework over the summer. She says that doing so might result in more harm than good, such as by stealing time away from play and other forms of learning, reducing time spent on being physically active, and turning reading into a chore. She says students should start the year refreshed.)

Extend & Assess

4. Writing Prompt In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate Should schools give summer homework? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate. 

6. Vote Go online to vote in Upfront ’s poll—and see how students across the country voted.  

Download a PDF of this Lesson Plan

Comment on this text

Why Summer Homework Isn't Necessary for Student Success

July 26, 2023

By Williana Serve

Now that we're halfway through summer, it feels like the feeling of anxiety (or, in some cases, excitement) increases as the school year approaches. Our FYPs are filled with back-to-school hauls, stores like Target and Walmart are stocking their stores with back-to-school sales, and the time is passing by faster than ever. That being said, one thing that I feel we don't always account for because our brain is on vacation mode is the one thing most students dread: Summer Homework.

Personally, I (and a lot of students) agree that the idea of summer homework sounds dreadful and shouldn't be a thing. There are a few people who may disagree, but here's why I think that summer homework is not the be-all, end-all for whether you'll succeed as a student or not.

via Unsplashed

Encourages a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Everyone talks about the importance of having a "work-life balance," but it feels like school, especially society in general, makes it hard to do so sometimes through a universal workaholic mentality. This is precisely why it's up to us to prioritize that balance for ourselves and avoid imposing work into our free time too much. Not having summer homework encourages a healthy work-life balance by allowing students to truly disconnect from academic pressures and focus on other aspects of their lives.

Summer break provides a valuable opportunity for students to unwind, relax, and engage in activities that bring them joy and fulfillment. By removing the burden of homework during this time, students can dedicate themselves to hobbies, sports, family time, and social interactions, fostering emotional well-being and overall happiness. This break from academic responsibilities enables them to develop essential life skills, such as time management, self-care, and stress management, which are equally crucial for their personal growth and future success.

Teacher and Student Burnout

We've all experienced burnout at some point in our lives. So I'm sure you'll understand when I say this from first-hand experience that it's not fun! We're already spending 8-10 months consistently worrying about our grades, attendance, and the social exhaustion that comes with attending school every day, and sometimes, we just need to recharge.

Eliminating summer homework can significantly alleviate both teacher and student burnout. For teachers, the absence of summer assignments means they can truly unwind and recharge during their well-deserved break. Without the added responsibility of creating, reviewing, and grading assignments, educators can fully detach from their professional duties, allowing them to return to the classroom in the fall with renewed energy and enthusiasm. This respite from constant work pressure fosters a healthier work-life balance, reducing the risk of burnout and benefiting both teachers' well-being and the overall quality of their teaching.

Similarly, students can experience relief from the constant academic pressure that often accompanies summer homework. The summer break is an essential period for students to decompress, engage in activities they enjoy, and pursue personal interests. By eliminating summer assignments, students can focus on self-discovery, exploration, and relaxation, which are crucial for their mental and emotional well-being.

This break from structured academic tasks allows them to recharge their motivation and passion for learning, leading to greater engagement and attentiveness when they return to school. As a result, students are more likely to approach their studies enthusiastically, leading to improved academic performance and reduced burnout throughout the academic year.

Balancing Extracurriculars and Other Responsibilities

Once the clock hits and school is out, we have a "break" from school, but that doesn't always mean we have nothing to do. Many of us could have things to do, such as babysitting, internships, moving, (ironically) summer classes/programs, or even vacations. The last thing we need is the added stress of summer homework piled on top of that.

Engaging in extracurricular activities is crucial for a well-rounded education, as they provide avenues for personal growth, social development, and exploring diverse interests. However, when students are burdened with summer assignments, they may feel compelled to sacrifice their extracurricular participation to meet academic obligations. By removing summer homework, students can fully immerse themselves in sports, arts, community service, and clubs, fostering teamwork, leadership skills, and a sense of fulfillment outside the traditional classroom setting.

A balanced extracurricular engagement can significantly benefit a student's well-being and academic performance. Students participating in extracurricular activities demonstrate improved time management skills, higher self-esteem, and reduced stress levels. These benefits can directly translate to greater focus and productivity during the regular school year.

Furthermore, extracurricular involvement often encourages interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to apply the knowledge acquired in their academic studies to real-world situations, thereby reinforcing their understanding of core subjects. Ultimately, by eliminating summer homework and promoting extracurricular pursuits, educational institutions can create an environment that nurtures the holistic development of students, preparing them for success not only in academics but also in various facets of life.

Inequality and Equity

Now, I think this is an underrated aspect that many people don't consider when considering why students shouldn't need summer homework. Summer homework assignments can exacerbate existing educational inequalities and widen the achievement gap, particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. These students may lack access to essential resources like books, the internet, or private tutors during the summer break.

As a result, they face significant challenges in completing assignments and keeping up with their peers, who may have more access to such resources. This discrepancy in available support can lead to feelings of frustration and inadequacy, negatively impacting the self-esteem and motivation of these students. Consequently, they may be less likely to engage with academic materials during the summer, further perpetuating the cycle of underachievement.

Overall, I think the idea of summer homework is overrated. We should be spending our free time enjoying it the way we want, not devoting it to extra work for the teacher to grade during the school year. Emphasizing rest and personal growth during this time can lead to a more balanced and enriched educational journey, ultimately contributing to long-term success and well-being.

At the end of the day, we only get limited summer breaks and many opportunities to complete our work, so why not save for the school year rather than impose it during our summer holidays? Please don't be afraid to share your thoughts in the comments! Have a great summer!

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How To Finish Summer Homework Assignments: 14 Tips To Save Your Child’s Summer

• July 19, 2018

Many schools assign homework for students to complete before they return to class in September. This results in both parents and students having to learn how to finish summer reading and homework while balancing fun summer activities.

This summer, school is out and homework is in.

If your child has been putting off a pile of summer homework and reading assignments—he or she is not alone.

Reading books and writing assignments during the summer may not sound appealing to many students—or parents. Students can also get UK homework help if they need the some help with completing their assignment! But summer assignments are a great way to combat the effects of Summer Learning Loss and keep your child’s brain active over the break.

The Facts On Summer Learning Loss

Six weeks in the fall are spent re-learning old material Two months of reading skills are lost over the summer One month of overall learning is lost after summer vacation

With the right mindset, goals, and structure, you’ll have no problem finishing summer reading and homework between BBQ’s, ball games, and beach trips.

Follow these 14 steps to learn how to complete summer homework—without sacrificing summer fun.

14 Tips For Finishing Your Summer Homework Assignments

Make a game plan, tip 1: take a (quick) break.

It’s hard to go from a full year of schoolwork to tackling summer homework right off the bat. Let your child take a week off of homework at the start of the summer. This will give his or her brain a chance to relax and reset, and enjoy taking part in fun summer activities like sports.

Tip 2: Review Project Requirements

Don’t have your child dive head-first into his or her homework assignments. Review the expectations of each project with your child and discuss how much time he or she will need to complete them.

It would be a shame to waste time redoing a project because your child didn’t understand it initially. Reviewing all requirements is an important first step to starting off on the right foot.

Tip 3: Break Down Each Project Into A Series of Goals

Think about which assignments will take the longest and what your child will need to complete them during the summer. Break these larger assignments into a series of goals that need to be met to complete the project.

Examples of goals include “read 2 chapters per week” or “write essay introduction by July 15th”.

Set Aside The Right Amount Of Time

Tip 4: plan a weekly summer homework schedule.

This should be similar to a school year homework schedule, but altered for the summer. T he ideal amount of time to spend doing summer homework per week is 2-3 hours , so figure out where that time fits into your child’s average summer week.

Tip 5: Make A List Of Supplies & Resources

Your summer adventures could take you and your child to a wide variety of places. Make sure you both know what to bring with you so your child can tackle homework when not at home.

Examples of supplies include:

• Textbooks or Assigned Novels

Tip 6: Choose Assignment Topics Based On Interest, Not Length

Sometimes students are given options when it comes to topics to research or books to read over the summer. Encourage your child to make these decisions based on the topics that interests him or her most—not which is “easiest”. This will result in your child enjoying his or her work, and allow him to benefit more from it.

Help Your Child Do Work On-The-Go

Tip 7: adjust your homework schedule for trips & vacations.

Exploring new places is an amazing learning experience, so don’t feel like you should sacrifice them for more homework time. Instead, plan your child’s homework schedule around these day trips and vacations.

If you know your child won’t have time to complete work while you’re away on a longer trip, make up those hours in the weeks before and after your trip.

Tip 8: Tackle The Work Your Child Can Do On-The-Go

While writing an essay is a project to save for when you return home, there are assignments that your child can tackle from just about anywhere. Options for homework to do on vacation include projects that are doable in small chunks—like reading a book or completing a math worksheet.

Tip 9: Bring Your Child’s Supplies With You

Remember that supplies list you created? Make sure you pack that backpack and bring it with you on your trip! It’d be a waste to find a spare hour to finish that math assignment, only to realize your child left his or her calculator at home.

Tip 10: Capitalize On The Quiet Times

Even the busiest trips include some quiet time. If you’re early for a dinner reservation, have your child complete a chapter of reading while you wait. Or, encourage your child to wake up 20 minutes early to answer some math questions without disruption.

Build A Support Team For Your Child

Tip 11: schedule a weekly workdate for your child & a friend.

There’s no reason your child has to work through summer homework alone. Make a weekly work date with a friend where they can tackle summer assignments together. If that friend is in the same class as your child, they can even discuss questions and challenges together. Build A Support Team For Your Child

Tip 12: Review Your Child’s Progress Every Week

Each week, speak with your child about the work he or she accomplished, and what is planned for the week ahead. If you know your child will be busy soon, work together to reorganize his or her homework schedule.

Tip 13: Touch Base With a Tutor (Or Enrol In Summer Learning Program)

A new set of eyes can make all the difference in making sure your child gets his or her summer assignments done efficiently and effectively. Your child’s tutor will be able to give constructive feedback and turn this feedback into goals for the upcoming school year.

If you want an extra head start for your child this school year, enroll him or her in a Summer Learning tutoring program to get started on the right track.

And Most Importantly…

Tip 14: reward your child with summer fun.

While schoolwork is important during the summer, it doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of having fun. Whenever your child completes a new project or achieves a goal, reward him or her with a treat or fun summer activity.

Work Hard—And Play Hard—This Summer

Summer might seem like it will last forever, but the school year will be here before you know it. Don’t let your child fall into the habit of procrastination—instead, make a plan together and stick to it.

If you follow these tips, your child will finish summer homework and summer reading in no time…and develop great learning and study habits that will already be in place for next year!

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The Pros and Cons of Homework

Updated: December 7, 2023

Published: January 23, 2020

Homework is a word that most students dread hearing. After hours upon hours of sitting in class , the last thing we want is more schoolwork over our precious weekends. While it’s known to be a staple of traditional schooling, homework has also become a rather divise topic. Some feel as though homework is a necessary part of school, while others believe that the time could be better invested. Should students have homework? Have a closer look into the arguments on both sides to decide for yourself.

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Why should students have homework, 1. homework encourages practice.

Many people believe that one of the positive effects of homework is that it encourages the discipline of practice. While it may be time consuming and boring compared to other activities, repetition is needed to get better at skills. Homework helps make concepts more clear, and gives students more opportunities when starting their career .

2. Homework Gets Parents Involved

Homework can be something that gets parents involved in their children’s lives if the environment is a healthy one. A parent helping their child with homework makes them take part in their academic success, and allows for the parent to keep up with what the child is doing in school. It can also be a chance to connect together.

3. Homework Teaches Time Management

Homework is much more than just completing the assigned tasks. Homework can develop time management skills , forcing students to plan their time and make sure that all of their homework assignments are done on time. By learning to manage their time, students also practice their problem-solving skills and independent thinking. One of the positive effects of homework is that it forces decision making and compromises to be made.

4. Homework Opens A Bridge Of Communication

Homework creates a connection between the student, the teacher, the school, and the parents. It allows everyone to get to know each other better, and parents can see where their children are struggling. In the same sense, parents can also see where their children are excelling. Homework in turn can allow for a better, more targeted educational plan for the student.

5. Homework Allows For More Learning Time

Homework allows for more time to complete the learning process. School hours are not always enough time for students to really understand core concepts, and homework can counter the effects of time shortages, benefiting students in the long run, even if they can’t see it in the moment.

6. Homework Reduces Screen Time

Many students in North America spend far too many hours watching TV. If they weren’t in school, these numbers would likely increase even more. Although homework is usually undesired, it encourages better study habits and discourages spending time in front of the TV. Homework can be seen as another extracurricular activity, and many families already invest a lot of time and money in different clubs and lessons to fill up their children’s extra time. Just like extracurricular activities, homework can be fit into one’s schedule.

The Other Side: Why Homework Is Bad

1. homework encourages a sedentary lifestyle.

Should students have homework? Well, that depends on where you stand. There are arguments both for the advantages and the disadvantages of homework.

While classroom time is important, playground time is just as important. If children are given too much homework, they won’t have enough playtime, which can impact their social development and learning. Studies have found that those who get more play get better grades in school , as it can help them pay closer attention in the classroom.

Children are already sitting long hours in the classroom, and homework assignments only add to these hours. Sedentary lifestyles can be dangerous and can cause health problems such as obesity. Homework takes away from time that could be spent investing in physical activity.

2. Homework Isn’t Healthy In Every Home

While many people that think homes are a beneficial environment for children to learn, not all homes provide a healthy environment, and there may be very little investment from parents. Some parents do not provide any kind of support or homework help, and even if they would like to, due to personal barriers, they sometimes cannot. Homework can create friction between children and their parents, which is one of the reasons why homework is bad .

3. Homework Adds To An Already Full-Time Job

School is already a full-time job for students, as they generally spend over 6 hours each day in class. Students also often have extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or art that are just as important as their traditional courses. Adding on extra hours to all of these demands is a lot for children to manage, and prevents students from having extra time to themselves for a variety of creative endeavors. Homework prevents self discovery and having the time to learn new skills outside of the school system. This is one of the main disadvantages of homework.

4. Homework Has Not Been Proven To Provide Results

Endless surveys have found that homework creates a negative attitude towards school, and homework has not been found to be linked to a higher level of academic success.

The positive effects of homework have not been backed up enough. While homework may help some students improve in specific subjects, if they have outside help there is no real proof that homework makes for improvements.

It can be a challenge to really enforce the completion of homework, and students can still get decent grades without doing their homework. Extra school time does not necessarily mean better grades — quality must always come before quantity.

Accurate practice when it comes to homework simply isn’t reliable. Homework could even cause opposite effects if misunderstood, especially since the reliance is placed on the student and their parents — one of the major reasons as to why homework is bad. Many students would rather cheat in class to avoid doing their homework at home, and children often just copy off of each other or from what they read on the internet.

5. Homework Assignments Are Overdone

The general agreement is that students should not be given more than 10 minutes a day per grade level. What this means is that a first grader should be given a maximum of 10 minutes of homework, while a second grader receives 20 minutes, etc. Many students are given a lot more homework than the recommended amount, however.

On average, college students spend as much as 3 hours per night on homework . By giving too much homework, it can increase stress levels and lead to burn out. This in turn provides an opposite effect when it comes to academic success.

The pros and cons of homework are both valid, and it seems as though the question of ‘‘should students have homework?’ is not a simple, straightforward one. Parents and teachers often are found to be clashing heads, while the student is left in the middle without much say.

It’s important to understand all the advantages and disadvantages of homework, taking both perspectives into conversation to find a common ground. At the end of the day, everyone’s goal is the success of the student.

Related Articles

Summer homework may start as early as elementary school, but you don’t have to do it the way it’s always been done! Veteran educators like third-grade teacher Alycia Zimmerman have spent time thinking about how to make summer homework meaningful and interesting enough that students buy in—and even want to do it.  

Read on for Zimmerman’s summer homework game plan and ideas for how to make summer assignments more fun for everyone.

1. Try a New Student Meet and Greet

If possible, meet your incoming students before summer break (even if it’s virtual!) to instill the importance of summer learning.

At the end of the school year, coordinate with the teachers of your incoming students to swap classes for a period. Introduce yourselves to your future students and build excitement for the fun and challenging learning ahead and the very “grown-up” summer homework you will assign.

“We’ve been far more successful in instilling the importance of our summer assignments when presenting about it face-to-face rather than just sending a packet of directions home cold,” says Zimmernan. “The students sit on the edges of their seats as we talk about the importance of summer reading and our certainty that they will do everything they can to 'keep their brains healthy, pink, and strong’ over the summer.”

2. Emphasize the Importance of Summer Reading

Talk about the best summer assignment of all: diving into books!

Reading should be a treat, not a menial assignment, so Zimmerman doesn’t feel guilty about making reading the bulk of her summer homework. Here are some of her most effective strategies for promoting summer reading:

Have students fill out a log  to keep track of the books and other texts they read over the summer. It isn’t necessary to require a certain number of books or specific titles. Simply ask that they find books they love and spend lots of time reading them.

Have your current students write book reviews of their favorite titles to send home with your rising students. Invite your current students to serve as reading ambassadors and speak to the younger students about the importance and joys of reading. When coming from slightly older peers, the message is very well received.

And of course: Sign your students up for the Scholastic Summer Reading Program ! From May 9 to August 19, your students can visit Scholastic Home Base to participate in the free, fun, and safe  summer reading program . As part of the program, kids can read e-books, attend author events, and keep Reading Streaks™ to help unlock a donation of 100K books from Scholastic – distributed to kids with limited or no access to books by Save the Children. 

3. Share Fun and Educational Activities

Direct your students to fun (and educational) activities.

When considering other homework, the best options are activities that students will be motivated to do because they’re entertaining. 

Give your incoming students the “everything is better in moderation” speech so they understand that they shouldn’t play hours of computer games every day this summer. If possible, send them home with printable and book-based packs to polish their skills for the year ahead (you can even pair these with your own assignments): 

4. Connect Through the Mail 

Stay connected with your students over the summer through cards.

Giving incoming students the opportunity to connect with you and with each other can motivate them to complete summer assignments. Here’s one plan for connecting via letters:

Have your incoming students mail you a letter of introduction. Explain that you want to hear about their summer activities, their hobbies, their families, and anything special they want you to know before the school year begins.

When you receive letters from your students, send a postcard back with a brief response. Tell them a bit about your summer plan, and let them know you can’t wait to see them in the fall. 

Encourage them to write again!

You can also pair up students and have them write to each other over the summer. In September, they can bring their pen pal letters to class to display on the bulletin board.

Take advantage of everyone’s increasing familiarity with virtual resources by connecting online, too! Post a short video, article, or question once a week on your classroom's online platform, and invite both incoming students and rising former students to write their thoughts in the comments section. Be sure to moderate their comments and enjoy their back-and-forth dialogues as they engage with each other.

Get started by shopping the best books for summer reading below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

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new techniques for tackling homework

• Why Summer Homework is Vital to Students’ Success?

In the US and Canada, one of the special programs in schools is referred to as Advanced Placement (AP). The program was created to develop modalities for college-level education curricula and high school testing. What does this mean? It is a great way for students to prepare for college. But many have been asking the questions: “Is summer homework really important?” and “Is summer homework legal?” The answer is, “yes.” In this post, we will take a deeper look at summer homework, demonstrate its importance, and tell you why training during the holiday is important.

During holidays, especially during the summer vacation, most students want to enjoy the lovely outdoor environment. Therefore, they consider any additional engagement, such as summer assignments for students, a serious distraction. But you can still complete the assignment by seeking writing help. Our writing company comprises of professionals with years of academic writing and can help you write any type of assignment, essay, lab report, coursework, or thesis on your request.

What is the importance of summer homework?

Today, the importance of summer vacation for students is very clear. After a lengthy learning session, the students can take a break from books and be with their families. Also, it is a great time to travel and explore nature. So why do teachers give summer homework? Here are some benefits that you should know:

• Summer homework is a perfect opportunity for students to learn how to work independently.
• The summer homework helps to prevent students from forgetting what they learned.
• Students are able to develop time management and problem-solving skills.
• A great opportunity to review and synthesize what was taught in class.
• Students learn how to set priorities and stay organized.
• Learners can easily identify their weak points and improve on them.
• A great way to get the parents involved more in a student’s education.

Tips for completing summer homework

Now that you know why summer vacation is important, the next question is, “how do you go about it?” Here are some great summer homework ideas that you can use. The first step is creating a schedule. This will give you a clear view of the time to use for vacation and doing homework. For example, you can designate several hours (one or two) every day or a few days of each week during the holiday. When you do your summer homework well, it could help you to get extra course credits. Here are other tips you can use for doing summer homework.

• Start your homework early. The worst thing that you can do with summer homework is procrastination. If you start late, the chances are that you could get stuck when trying to do the homework in a hurry and miss points. Therefore, try to start as early as possible.
• Reward yourself for progress achieved with homework. By rewarding yourself, you will be motivated to complete the assignment and practice various skills. You can reward yourself for various milestones such as completing a chapter of the assignment, collecting the right materials, and formatting the assignment. Good rewards can include your favorite movie or treat in the favorite restaurant.
• Literature.
• Mathematics.
• Use online libraries to access relevant materials.
• If you are far from your school premises where you can physically access the library, consider using online libraries. This will make it easy to read the latest journals and books, among other resources.

Combine summer homework with leisure

You know what? Your summer homework should not be a downer. Think of a unique way of doing homework. What about making it part of the holiday? If you have biology or geography summer homework, why not consider working on it when on holiday in a Miami hotel? After enjoying some great time with friends and dining with family, take two hours to do the assignment. So what do you need to achieve this?

• Use your tablet or laptop to access different materials that you need to do the homework online.
• If you are in a holiday hotel, relax in your room as you do your homework.
• If your summer holiday is outdoors, such as a campsite, look for a quiet point to do the homework.
• If you have a friend nearby, consider inviting him/her and do the homework together on your holiday destination.
• Ask one of the family members to join you when doing the homework. Because your dad did the same type of assignments, he could come in handy to help you solve some problems.

Summer homework made simpler

Should students have summer homework? Should schools give summer homework? The answer is, absolutely yes. The assignment experts may help students to start seeing their courses as part of career progression. This means that learning becomes part of you so that you will no longer have to worry about forgetting. For example, if you aspire becoming an engineer, calculus ceases being a tough subject but a crucial component that you strive to achieve to reach the ultimate goal. This implies that summer homework and other assignments can be simple and fun.

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Summer Homework: Is it Necessary?

Moriel Weitzner ’24 | December 11, 2022

Summer homework is not something I enjoy, and receiving a summer reading book as well as an email describing my Judaic studies assignment for the summer are things I dread. For students taking classes like AP Psychology, I imagine that dread was magnified by the AP course work they were assigned to complete over the summer as well. The question often asked is if summer homework is necessary or just another tedious aspect of high school life. Although appropriate arguments can be made for both sides, I ultimately agree with the latter.

On one hand, summer homework can facilitate learning that ensures students don’t forget the material they learned the previous year. Certain AP courses may also require some background knowledge as a prerequisite for the class or to ensure students are prepared for the exam in the spring. Sarah Silverman ’24, who is taking AP Psychology, reflected that “since it is an AP class, we wouldn’t have had enough time to accomplish all the material for the exam in May without having the summer homework.”

On the other hand, summer homework is hardly completed at all or in an appropriate time frame. Summer reading material is scarcely discussed upon the return to school anyhow; my classes often examine the summer reading for two weeks at most. As for Judaic studies material, students are given a short quiz on it sometime in September before discarding it completely. Summer is also an essential time for students and teachers to relax, to recharge their batteries after another taxing year, especially at a notoriously stressful school like Ramaz.

I would say that summer homework is somewhat good in theory, but not in practice. The purpose of summer homework is to refresh students’ memories over the course of an entire summer, not the week preceding a new school year. The type of homework given over the summer and the nature of how it’s completed defeats the purpose entirely. However, I concede that AP course work is in a different ballpark. Students who elect to take AP classes should be prepared to put in the work, because after all, most will want to do well on their exams in May. Summer homework seems to be another part of the education system that ends up falling short, so perhaps it’s time for a change.

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Summer Reading: Why It’s Important

Kelly brouse.

• June 22, 2020

“Summer slide” is a common, informal term that has parents and teachers anxious about their learners’ progress and retention for those sunny two months a year when school is not in session. This concept of “sliding back” from the level students reached at the end of their school year while home over the summer is rooted in some developmental realities of our young learners. Practice of skills learned is required for those skills to turn from new learning into familiar, usable skills and then into habit. From September to June, students are engaged in literacy activities ideally at home and school that support this growth, but it is critical for reading to continue over the summer, minimally to sustain the progress they’ve made. So why is summer reading truly so beneficial?

Benefits of Summer Reading

Benefit #1: expanded vocabulary.

The benefits of reading are undeniable. A student reading twenty minutes a day at home will hear on average 1.8 million words per year. Compare that to a child reading five minutes per day at home who hears roughly 282,000 words per year, or a student reading on average one minute per day at home being exposed to 8,000 words per year, and the numbers are clear. No one would argue that the child hearing 1.8 million words is going to have a far more robust vocabulary than the child hearing 8,000.

Research on language development claims it takes up to 17 exposures for a child to securely add a word to their personal vocabulary, and literacy research has proven that depth of vocabulary is directly linked to a learner’s literacy level and ability to read complex texts. Maintaining twenty minutes a day over the summer is critical to at least maintaining student literacy levels through the development of their vocabulary.

Benefit #2: Enhanced Emotional Intelligence & Empathy

Reading fiction is one of the very best ways for children (and adults!) to develop empathy. We may not personally experience every problem captured in the storyline of a fiction book, but by walking through it from the character’s point of view, we as readers develop empathy skills for others who are experiencing challenges, even those with which we are less familiar. In the same vein, students also develop stronger emotional intelligence as they hear the internal dialogue of a character navigating a challenge in the plot. Interested in learning more about developing empathy in your learning through literature and beyond? Check out the book Unselfie by Michelle Borba .

Benefit #3: Broadening Perspective

Similar to emotional intelligence , students can also expand their perspectives on the human experience through texts about people that are different from them. Reading books with characters who have different family structures, races, cultures, abilities, and interests can both develop a sense of inclusivity for your child while also opening the door to important conversations with your child about equality and respecting differences. In our diverse world, it is critical that we encourage students to select books and engage with text about people that are different from them, and ideally that are written by voices authentic to those identities. Doing so over the summer likely reinforces the work of your child’s school district and shows what moral pillars exist in your home as well.

Benefit #4: Background Knowledge

Further, with expanding vocabulary and emotions comes a much deeper background of people, places, concepts and things in the world around us. Students who can readily connect something they’ve already been exposed to with new content, like in a science or social studies lesson, are far more likely to both actively engage in the learning and also retain the information purposefully. While “experience is the best teacher”, minimally having had exposure to the Mayan ruins or Newton’s laws of motion from a plot in a book can trigger synapses to light up and connect in students’ brains when they are later mentioned in a lesson at school or more authentically in real life. Reading can build expansive and unusual background knowledge that’s value can’t be measured or predicted upon development.

Benefit #5: Escape on a Rainy Day!

Of course, one of the best benefits of reading over the summer is having a screen-free activity on a rainy day. As we all proceed with caution this summer and employ continued social distancing, reading provides an activity for children that is engaging and fun, without having to leave the comfort of home.  

Strategies for Engaging Students in Summer Reading

As the adult fostering a love of reading in your child at home, knowing and accessing available resources is critical! Check out your local public library for current summer reading programs and summer reading enhancements, and make visiting the library part of your summer routine. Utilize suggested activities like this game board or other motivating challenges to give your young reader some extrinsic motivation to keep up the habit.

Don’t forget the value of being read to, especially for children in elementary school. Often emergent readers may be reluctant to apply literacy skills independently as they fear it will replace the joyful experience of being read to by a beloved adult. Creating a balance, especially for young readers, of “who” reads is still highly beneficial for students to maintain and grow their literacy skills over the summer.

Make reading fun! Create special spaces for reading in your home, like a reading tent or corner with twinkle lights or a favorite stuffed animal audience. A “reading hideout” can be a very motivating factor in making reading a preferred summer activity! Allow your child as much choice as possible in the books being read, because truly the most important element of creating a reader is igniting a love for reading. If they are choosing books too far above their reading level, offer to read it with them, but also help them to find books of high-interest at their level. Before the school year ends, be sure to know your child’s reading level so that you can ask the librarian for help if needed with selecting “just-right books”.

Enjoy the special time with your reader at home this summer, and remember the million-word value of twenty minutes a day!

• #BenefitsofReading , #SummerReading

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Summer Homework And How To Tackle It

College and university students will bear witness that homework is not the best part of academic life. Whether it is a take-away essay or week-long research for a given case study, there is no reason to smile. Nonetheless, homework is a crucial component that you cannot separate from any form of learning.

But did you know that summer homework is easy to complete when you have experts by your side? Keep reading to see how this is possible.

Why Is Summer Reading Important?

What is summer homework for starters?

It is holiday assignments that students take during the summer holidays. Such tests attract a lot of criticism from anti-homework crusaders and students as well. But why is this the case?

• They argue that summer is a vacation.
• Summer homework may inconvenience some students whose families move during such holidays.
• The summer assignments are not quality work.

These and more reasons have compelled many to advocate against summer holiday assignments. But is there a brighter side to summer homework? Should schools give summer homework in the first place? Yes, and there is a whole list of reasons that back up this stand:

It prepares students to achieve higher goals in their academic life. It helps to keep students busy in their academic work Summer homework helps to advance the research skills of students It ensures that students stay on track in their academic careers even when schools resume It helps students become independent Students can identify their weak zones and work on them Tutors can assess the intellectual level of students Students will be able to prioritize essential topics

For all these reasons, it is close to impossible to sideline summer homework from schools. So, should students have summer homework? 100% yes! Summer homework will help students better their grades and develop the art of time management. Even though they may seem tedious at first, their results are something that the student can smile about with a sense of fulfillment.

Summer reading is essential when it comes to academic life but also the social life of the student. Having such tasks on your table will help you avoid some common problems such as peer pressure and laziness due to idleness. Therefore, summer assignments for students should be encouraged all the more!

Is Summer Homework Legal?

A student whose summer plans were spoiled sued to end summer homework in Wisconsin in 2005. It sparked legal debate attracting the attention of top lawyers. The student claimed that the summer homework was creating unnecessary stress and giving them an unfair workload. But are these reasons viable to make summer homework illegal?

Some experts argue that summer holidays subject students to increasing pressure to perform. However, such force only serves to demoralize the students all the more. The anti-summer homework crusaders are for the argument that summer holidays are for relaxing and socializing.

But there is something that all these critics get wrong; summer homework is for helping students brush up on their knowledge. Imagine having your kid at home for two months only to go back to school without knowing what they learned in their previous semester! That would not only be detrimental to the student but to you as a parent too! You would have to cater for extra tuition fees to help the student recover the lost time.

Therefore, summer work for kids will help them slip back into the school routine when the new semester starts. However, there should be a balance where teachers should not burden the students with too much homework. It will enable the students to take part in summer camps, extracurricular activities, and even internships.

Since homework will help sharpen the minds of the students, there is nothing illegal about it. No matter how evil some critics may paint summer homework to be, it will remain a critical part of the students’ success story.

What will make summer homework legal or illegal is the quantity of work assigned and the motive therein. If the task still gives the students time to relax and break away from the classroom environment, it is not illegal.

I Hate Summer School; what Should I Do?

It is for sure that you might hate summer school for one reason or another. Having gone through a whole semester with coursework all through, you may want to hate summer school. Others may think of dropping school altogether because of the pressure. But there is a way out!

It’s all about your attitude: There has been a lot of negative talk concerning summer homework. As such, most students have developed a negative attitude towards it. However, if you create the right attitude, summer homework will be your favorite. This attitude will come by realizing the importance of summer homework. Talk to your teacher about it: Do you feel like the summer homework is overwhelming for you? Remember that tutors are human too, and they understand what students go through when handling such types of assignments. Planning is essential: It may be that you hate summer homework because of poor planning. You may have given more time to leisure activities while sidelining your academic work. However, striking a balance between the two will help you sail through smoothly. You will not have to sideline your academic career at the expense of your summer vacation. Using custom assistance would be helpful: Numerous homework writing services can come in handy. You do not have to fumble with your overwhelming summer homework while there are experts ready to help you. Summer math homework will be your favorite with the right writing help.

You can see that there is nothing that can prevent you from completing summer homework. With the right attitude and professional experts by your side, you can smile your way back to school after the summer holiday.

Should Schools Stop Giving Homework?

It is a question that can spark a heated debate in any academic circle. It is usually in line with the question, are teachers allowed to give homework over the holidays? Well, we have already mentioned some of the reasons why reading is essential at any time whatsoever. Nonetheless, here are more reasons why schools should not stop giving homework:

• Homework helps to identify the student’s weakness
• Students can handle assignments by themselves and develop a sense of independence
• Reading gives teachers a chance to evaluate the performance of their students
• It also helps students prepare for their exams
• Homework is crucial in teaching strong research skills among students

From the reasons above, you can note that homework helps a great deal, and you cannot overlook its essence. The result for all these is top grades that will help students achieve their dreams in the future. Who can sweep such a valuable asset under the carpet?

However, there are instances when schools should stop giving homework to students. Some of these include:

• When students are going through a busy academic calendar: This will help them relax their minds and be productive in class.
• When homework becomes the end goal rather than a means to success: Homework should ignite students towards excellent performance in their end semester tests.
• When there is no significant change in the students’ grades: Teachers should not just give out homework for its sake but for a specific reason. If the task is not serving its purpose, they should shelve it and seek other intervention means.

Homework should not be a severe black mark that causes students agony. On the contrary, it should motivate students to pursue their academic goals all the more and succeed. Homework should develop the student’s mind towards achieving better grades.

Are you looking for something to do this summer and do not know where to start? Here are summer reading assignment ideas to get you started:

Summer Homework Ideas

• Research possible places for your dream summer vacation
• Create an estimated budget of how much your trip will cost
• What is the best year to visit a particular vacation camp?
• What type of weather is convenient for the summer holidays?
• Which relative inspires you, and why would you consider visiting them this summer?
• Write a diary of your summer holiday, journaling the activities you undertook and observations made.
• What positive things would you promote in your community during this summer holiday?
• Write an essay about a favorite spot you visited during the summer holidays.
• What is the best character/mood for a summer vacation?
• Discuss how your lifestyle will affect how you will spend your summer holiday
• How will your interests and values affect how you spend your summer holiday?
• Write a book review of a favorite book you read during your summer vacation
• Discover ways of saving costs during summer holidays
• Write a speech of what you learned during your summer vacation
• What is the impact of the memories you gathered during your summer holiday?
• What is the effect of a summer holiday on a student’s academic performance?
• What is the ideal holiday destination for summer vacations?
• Illustrate some of the lessons you learned from your summer vacation
• Why should schools allow students to go for summer vacations without giving them homework?
• Why are weather patterns important when it comes to spending summer vacations?
• How much homework should students have for their summer holidays?
• Is it right for students to use writing help for their summer homework?
• What is the role of parents in ensuring that students make the most of their summer holidays?
• How can schools make summer holidays more involving and fun?
• The best internship opportunities to pursue during summer vacations
• How long should a summer vacation take for college and university students?
• Why should teachers care about what students do during the summer holidays?
• Effects of technology on how students spend their summer holidays
• How coronavirus has changed the way students spend their summer vacations
• Discuss the role of mentorship programs during the summer holidays

Don’t Want To Spend Time on Summer Homework?

You can bear witness that summer homework is essential and timely. They will positively impact the student’s academic performance and help them live a better social life. Parents and teachers can rest easy when students are engaged in meaningful and balanced summer homework.

Those who still have difficulties completing summer homework should not despair. Several online writing sites provide the necessary academic assistance for summer homework. All these sites understand the essence of these assignments and help students make the best out of them.

Do you want to succeed in your summer homework today? Try our professional writing help and see the difference!

Get on top of your homework.

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What School Subjects Do You Need in High School?

The subjects you study in high school should allow you to graduate, but you’ll also want classes that will prepare you for college and for life as an adult.

• Subjects Offered in High School
• Subjects Needed to Graduate
• Subjects for College Preparation

Picking high school courses is an exciting process. Core high school subjects like math, science, and language arts are required, but a range of others can be selected. Finally being given more of a choice in what a student studies can be freeing, but also may feel overwhelming, confusing, or stressful.

What courses are best? There's no one right path. First, consider what is needed to graduate. Then, take a look at your options.

Parents and teens can work together to choose school subjects that not only engage their interests but also have their future plans and goals in mind.

For example, students who want to go to college may be required to take more years of a foreign language or other classes required by the schools they are interested in. A student who is interested in pursuing a career in construction may want to take an industrial arts class.

Read on to learn more about selecting courses in high school.

Parents / Nusha Ashjaee 

What School Subjects Are Offered in High School?

Most high schools offer the same basic school subjects: Math, language arts, foreign language, science, social studies, health, and physical education (PE).

However, the exact courses may vary dramatically from school to school. Different high schools—even within the same district—often have different course offerings or special programs. If possible, choose the local high school that provides the programs and classes that best suit your needs and passions.

Below is a list of the most common school subjects. However, individual schools may offer a range of specialized classes, such as mindfulness or engineering.

High School Subjects

• Literature or Language Arts
• Speech and Debate
• Writing or Composition
• Trigonometry or Calculus
• Biology (typically has advanced class options)
• Chemistry (typically has advanced class options)
• Earth or Space Sciences
• Physics (typically has advanced class options)
• US Government
• World History
• Foreign Language, such as Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, and German
• Physical Education and Health
• Arts, such as Music, Photography, Drawing, or Ceramics
• Computer Applications, Graphic Design, or Web Design
• Cooking and other life skills
• Physical Education
• Trade field studies such as Auto Mechanics, Woodworking, or Nursing
• Personal Finance

School Subjects You Need to Graduate

Ideally, teens should start high school with a basic plan of the classes they will need to take to graduate. Every state has different requirements for obtaining a high school diploma, and each school varies greatly in what it offers to give kids a chance to fulfill them. Different schools also vary in the number of classes students take each year.

The school's guidance department can help students understand the graduation requirements and how their coursework aligns with them.

English language arts

Studying the English language and literature is an important part of high school for every student, regardless of their post-school plans. In addition to studying important pieces of literature, English classes teach teens about writing, reading, and speaking.

Most states require four years of English or language arts classes. Colleges require four years of English for admission. The main English classes in high school include:

Mathematics

In high school, students dig into several different types of math . Algebra and geometry are required at most high schools, and students may choose to take advanced math classes if they are offered.

Most states require three or four years of math coursework in high school. The main math classes in high school include:

Basic life sciences (biology) and physical sciences (chemistry and physics) are required at most high schools. These classes often include lab components that allow students to perform hands-on experiments.

Most states require two to three years of science coursework in high school. These may include:

• Biology (typically has advanced class options)
• Chemistry (typically has advanced class options)
• Earth or Space sciences

Social studies and history

Understanding the past and how the world works is important for young adults. In high school, students will study history and government and learn about how social studies affects their lives.

Most states require three to four years of social studies coursework in high school, including:

Foreign languages

Learning a second language is important in today's global world. While many high schools offer foreign language courses, only 11 states require students to take a foreign language course.  

High school students can fill these requirements by learning the basics of at least one foreign language. They may also be able to choose to take advanced classes to learn more.

Common languages offered in high school include:

• Mandarin Chinese

Other possible language offerings include Russian, Latin, American Sign Language, Arabic, and German.

Physical education and health

Physical education and health classes can teach high schoolers how to care for their bodies' fitness, health, and nutritional needs. These courses often touch on the following:

• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Making healthy choices about drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.

Many states require at least one unit of PE and health to graduate. Other states offer these subjects as electives.

School Subjects for College Preparation

Students planning to go to college should consider how colleges will look at their courses during the application process. Grade point average (GPA) is important, but coursework should also demonstrate academic rigor.

When planning, it can be helpful to balance standard high school courses with some that are more challenging. Additionally, students can do this—and even get a head start on college—by taking advanced placement (AP) or college-level classes.

AP classes are more rigorous courses that teach subjects at an introductory college level. Some of the most common AP courses that are available include:

• Calculus AB
• English Literature
• African American Studies

Students who take AP classes have the option to take an AP test in the spring. If they get a certain score, they can get credit for the course at many colleges.

College credit courses

Many high schools offer opportunities to gain college credit through various programs. Your child's academic advisor, teachers, or counseling department can inform them about such offerings.

These may be online or in-person classes through programs offered by colleges and universities, and a professor or a high school teacher may teach them. Dual-credit programs allow students to fulfill their high school requirements while obtaining some college credits free of charge.

School Subject Electives

In addition to the basic classes, there are usually plenty of opportunities to take electives in various areas of study. These can not only broaden a student's academic knowledge but also teach them valuable life skills and inspire their career aspirations .

In some cases, a student may be given the freedom to choose one class from a select group of options required in the school's curriculum. In others, a student may have room in their schedule to choose to study something simply based on their interests and goals.

Examples of elective classes may include:

• Arts, such as music, photography, fashion design, painting, theater, dance, or ceramics
• Computer applications, graphic design, or web design
• Student government
• Forensic science
• Physical education
• Sports medicine
• Trade field studies such as auto mechanics, welding, or nursing
• Personal finance or business

Students on a vocational track may be able to gain some hands-on learning in fields such as metalworks and woodworking. Many schools even offer the opportunity to gain certificates or licenses that will help them in their future careers .

Key Takeaways

Choosing high school classes requires planning both as a student enters school and throughout their high school experience. The right classes are challenging and engaging but not unrealistically rigorous or overwhelming.

An ideal schedule can help a student succeed, enjoy learning, and have a good academic experience while preparing them for their future plans , whatever they may be. Have your teen set up a meeting with their school counselor if they need any help.

The association between neighbourhoods and educational achievement, a systematic review and meta-analysis . J Hous Built Environ . 2016.

50-state comparison . Education Commission of the States . 2019.

High school classes required for college admission . National Association for College Admission Counseling . n.d.

The national K-16 foreign language enrollment survey report . American Councils for International Education . 2017.

Program summary report . College Board. 2019.

Related Articles

Pflugerville librarian: Reading challenges among highlights of summer programming

The Pflugerville Public Library Summer Programming encourages everyone to read, make and explore. We have a full summer of events and reading challenges for the entire family.

Our popular summer reading challenges are back. The library uses Beanstack, an online reading tracker, for all our reading challenges. Beanstack allows you to track the books or minutes you read over the summer, log activitie, and more. The library’s Beanstack site is live! This year’s Summer Reading Challenges will be available June 1. When you log in for the first time , you will need to create an account to participate.

Adult Summer Reading Challenge  for those 18 and older. Adults who complete it will receive a branded insulated picnic bag while supplies last. For more information about this challenge, visit the adult reading challenge page on our website.

All Ages Team Reading Challenge  for kids, teens and adults. The entire family is invited to compete in our friendly team-based reading challenge. You will choose your own team (blue, red, green or yellow) when you register. The whole family can pick one color, or they can pick different colors to compete against each other. The winning team will be announced during our Pay-It-Forward event at the end of the summer.

And there will be plenty of other programs for all ages over the summer.

Summer Kick Off - Maker Pfest

June 1 from 2-5 p.m.: Join local makers and artists for demos and hands-on activities. Take a tour of the Pfab Lab, enjoy crafts, and get more info on the Summer Reading Program. Guests include Pflugerville Quilt Guild, Austin Book Arts Center, Math Happens, and Texas LUG Lego group.

Maker Market

For the first time, the library will have a maker market on Sunday, June 2, from 2-4:30 p.m., when you can shop local artisans and makers who created items using equipment available in the Pfab Lab. Vendors will set their own prices and handle transactions for their items.

Our calendar is full of events that provide opportunities for informal learning and activities to continue academic and emotional growth or simply to have fun and socialize.  Most summer events require registration. Please visit our online calendar for full details.

Trans clothing swap and social

Kick off Pride month at our clothing swap on Saturday, June 8. Bring new or clean, gently used clothes to swap. Socialize while selecting new-to-you items. All gender diverse/expansive folks are welcome to take advantage of this regardless of your transition status or goals. Wear your new finery to a Pride Celebration!

Baby Time, Storytime & Pajama Storytime

Kids can join us for baby time (3 – 18 months old) and/or storytime (3 months – 5 years old) and pajama storytime (3 months – 8 years old). Storytimes and baby times are 30-minute programs with books, songs and fun. The formats vary to make them suitable for the age group they are meant for. All three programs introduce elements of literacy, build language and social skills and feature elements of other languages including Spanish, French and ASL. All children must have an adult with them to participate.

Kids & Tweens

Kids Club for children ages 5 to 8 with an adult meets on Tuesdays. Tween Time for ages 8 to 12 is on Wednesdays and Book Clubs for tweens happen on scheduled Mondays. Events for these ages will include crafting, building, cake decorating and more.

Teens between the ages of 12-18 can enjoy our regular Tuesday evening programs as well as some special events such as the After-Hours Cheezy Movie Night, U Get What U Get Book Bag Giveaways and Summer Hygge Night. They also can register to try our new Teen Spice of the Month Club that will meet virtually to try a new spice and talk about how we used it in our cooking.

Family Night on Monday evenings and Family Hour on Thursday afternoon will provide opportunities for families with children up to age 12 to make crafts, complete sewn projects, enjoy amazing performances by local artists and special guests, and more.

Adult & senior events

Our adult summer programs are focused on creativity, learning and relaxation, so there is something for everyone. This year, join us for crafty activities, animal visits, guest speakers and artists, writing classes, movie screenings and Pfab Lab events. We’ll also host a book swap and our popular Book Buzz program, where we preview new fiction, nonfiction and graphic novels for adults.

Pay-It-Forward Pflugerville

Spread kindness throughout Pflugerville and beyond as we wrap up our Summer Reading Program from 2-4 p.m. on July 27. Stop by this come-and-go event to learn about local volunteer opportunities and work on a quick charitable craft, like making a card for a senior center or decorating a kindness rock to leave at a park. The library will be decorated with the winning color from the All-Ages Summer Reading Challenge.

The historic Heritage House Museum is open every Tuesday and the first Sunday of the month for the public to tour and explore. Exhibits, such as time period clothing and antique furniture, show what it was like to live in the home in the early years of our community.

Our calendar is full of events that provide opportunities for informal learning and activities to continue reading and have fun during the summer months.  All events are posted through July.  We hope you take a look at it and join us this summer!

Carmen Lazo is a youth services staff member at the Pflugerville Public Library.

Animal visits, bubbles, prizes and challenges part of library's summer offerings

The Wayne County Public Library offers a free Summer Reading Club for the entire family starting Tuesday. The more participants read, the more prizes they can earn. Each library location will have summer programs.

Children who do not read during the summer may lose up to three months of reading progress and that loss has a cumulative, long-term effect. By the end of the sixth grade children who consistently lose skills over the summer will be up to two years behind their peers, according to a release from the library.

Reading just 10-15 minutes a day as part of a routine can increase exposure to language and lead to increased skill development and retention. The more children read, the better their fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Summer Reading Club will run from May 28-July 27. Pick up a reading log at any library location or sign up using the Beanstack App or at  wcpl.beanstack.org .

Children and teens log time spent reading to earn prizes and are put into a drawing fore every five hours read. Adults log books read to earn drawing entries.

The Wooster City School Students Summer Reading Club is taking the place of the 1,000 Minute Club. When readers reach 25 hours of reading they will earn the library’s SRC prizes and can choose a book for themselves and a friend.

Children can earn up to four free books of choice and teens can earn up to three free books of choice. Any time spent reading or being read to counts. Babies can participate - there are prizes for them, too.

Children and teens earn a drawing entry for every five hours read. Children can read up to 50 hours and teens can read up to 100 hours. Drawings for teens and adults take place throughout the summer. Grand prize drawings for children and teens are held after the end of the program.

Special summer events can be found at all locations throughout the summer. Programs include animal visits, magic shows and bubbles.

Books in the Park

Visit a local branch and the bookmobile at the park for a story time all about trains. Registration for all ages is required. Dates and locations are:

• Creston Branch, Creston Community Park, 10399 Wooster Pike Road, Creston; 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 12
• Dalton Branch, Dalton Village Green Park, 41 Free St., Dalton; 10:30, Wednesday, June 26
• Doylestown Branch, Doylestown Memorial Park, entrance is off Kohler Avenue, 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 7
• Rittman Branch, Ashton Hall Park, corner of South First Street and Shong Drive, 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 28
• Shreve Branch, Shreve Village Park, 250 Park Drive, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 20
• West Salem Branch, Town and Country Fire District Pavilion, 11 Congress St., 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 11 

The Wooster Main Library will expand hours starting June 3. It will open at 9 a.m. Monday-Saturday, and will remain open until 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Wooster Main Library drive-up hours are:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Local History Department hours are:

• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Wednesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Beyond Books: Adventure Begins at Your Library chosen as summer reading theme

What makes something an adventure? Does it have to happen far away? Is it always new and big and exciting? Or can you find adventure closer to home, on an ordinary day, surrounded by familiar people and things? Our Bookworm Summer Reading theme this year is Adventure Begins at Your Library, and we’re here to help you find adventure this summer.

There are lots of ways to start your adventure at the library. First, of course, is through your imagination. I’ll never forget the summer when my mom read "The Hobbit" to me. We would read every afternoon while my little brother napped. For those hours, Middle Earth felt like a real place we got to explore through J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories. I was sad when we finished the story, but we quickly moved on to other books, each one a new adventure. If you’re looking for some summer reading suggestions, check out CRCPL.org/bookworm for recommendation lists!

You can also use library books and resources to plan a real-life adventure. If you like trying new foods, you can check out a cookbook with new recipes. You can read a travel book to plan a trip or learn about a new place. Learning something new can be an adventure, and we have tons of books to help you learn new things. My dad and Grandpap built a canoe in their living room many years ago, using plans from a library book. Maybe if they’d had Creativebug (which you can find in the DIY section of our eLibrary), they would have thought to make sure the canoe would fit through the door before finishing it!

If you want to learn something new but don’t have the equipment, start at the library! We don’t have any canoes in our Beyond Books collection, but we do have an inflatable paddle board! We also have disc golf sets, bicycles, fishing poles, telescopes, a metal detector, several musical instruments, and more. Visit CRCPL.org/beyondbooks to explore all the items we have that are more than just books.

This summer’s Bookworm Challenges also include fun ways for you to find adventure in the ordinary. Complete activities from our BINGO card as you explore the world around you. Visit CRCPL.org/bookworm for a list of virtual tours from around the world so you can explore from anywhere!

The Bookworm details:

• Who? Everyone can participate in Bookworm!
• What? Bookworm is our Summer Reading Challenge. You can earn prizes for reading and completing activities.
• When? You can pre-register now, but Bookworm 2024 starts Monday, June 3, and ends Wednesday, July 24 at noon.
• Where? Wherever you are! (though prizes must be picked up at one of our library locations)
• Why? Because it’s fun! Because if you’re reading anyway, you might as well get prizes! Because last summer, Ross County logged 1,822,625 minutes of reading, and we want to see if we can beat that number!
• How? Register online at CRCPL.org/bookworm. You can track your reading and activities in your Beanstack account, or bring your paper tracker to the library for us to enter them.

Important dates:Kickoff party: Wednesday, June 5 at 5 p.m. at Northside Branch.** New this year! Adult kickoff party: Friday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Main LibraryFinale party: Wednesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. in Yoctangee Park, followed by a free pool party in the Municipal Pool at 7:30 p.m.

Enrichment Services Manager Liz Gibbons-Camp loves to spend summer days reading and attending local events around the county. If she’s outside, you’ll probably find her chasing the shade. You can reach her at [email protected]

Summer Reading

25 Great Books for Summer 2024

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There’s a New Covid Variant. What Will That Mean for Spring and Summer?

Experts are closely watching KP.2, now the leading variant.

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By Dani Blum

For most of this year, the JN.1 variant of the coronavirus accounted for an overwhelming majority of Covid cases . But now, an offshoot variant called KP.2 is taking off. The variant, which made up just one percent of cases in the United States in mid-March, now makes up over a quarter.

KP.2 belongs to a subset of Covid variants that scientists have cheekily nicknamed “FLiRT,” drawn from the letters in the names of their mutations. They are descendants of JN.1, and KP.2 is “very, very close” to JN.1, said Dr. David Ho, a virologist at Columbia University. But Dr. Ho has conducted early lab tests in cells that suggest that slight differences in KP.2’s spike protein might make it better at evading our immune defenses and slightly more infectious than JN.1.

While cases currently don’t appear to be on the rise, researchers and physicians are closely watching whether the variant will drive a summer surge.

“I don’t think anybody’s expecting things to change abruptly, necessarily,” said Dr. Marc Sala, co-director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Covid-19 Center in Chicago. But KP.2 will most likely “be our new norm,’” he said. Here’s what to know.

The current spread of Covid

Experts said it would take several weeks to see whether KP.2 might lead to a rise in Covid cases, and noted that we have only a limited understanding of how the virus is spreading. Since the public health emergency ended , there is less robust data available on cases, and doctors said fewer people were using Covid tests.

But what we do know is reassuring: Despite the shift in variants, data from the C.D.C. suggests there are only “minimal ” levels of the virus circulating in wastewater nationally, and emergency department visits and hospitalizations fell between early March and late April.

“I don’t want to say that we already know everything about KP.2,” said Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System. “But at this time, I’m not seeing any major indications of anything ominous.”

Protection from vaccines and past infections

Experts said that even if you had JN.1, you may still get reinfected with KP.2 — particularly if it’s been several months or longer since your last bout of Covid.

KP.2 could infect even people who got the most updated vaccine, Dr. Ho said, since that shot targets XBB.1.5, a variant that is notably different from JN.1 and its descendants. An early version of a paper released in April by researchers in Japan suggested that KP.2 might be more adept than JN.1 at infecting people who received the most recent Covid vaccine. (The research has not yet been peer-reviewed or published.) A spokesperson for the C.D.C. said the agency was continuing to monitor how vaccines perform against KP.2.

Still, the shot does provide some protection, especially against severe disease, doctors said, as do previous infections. At this point, there isn’t reason to believe that KP.2 would cause more severe illness than other strains, the C.D.C. spokesperson said. But people who are 65 and older, pregnant or immunocompromised remain at higher risk of serious complications from Covid.

Those groups, in particular, may want to get the updated vaccine if they haven’t yet, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. The C.D.C. has recommended t hat people 65 and older who already received one dose of the updated vaccine get an additional shot at least four months later.

“Even though it’s the lowest level of deaths and hospitalizations we’ve seen, I’m still taking care of sick people with Covid,” he said. “And they all have one unifying theme, which is that they’re older and they didn’t get the latest shot.”

The latest on symptoms and long Covid

Doctors said that the symptoms of both KP.2 and JN.1 — which now makes up around 16 percent of cases — are most likely similar to those seen with other variants . These include sore throat, runny nose, coughing, head and body aches, fever, congestion, fatigue and in severe cases, shortness of breath. Fewer people lose their sense of taste and smell now than did at the start of the pandemic, but some people will still experience those symptoms.

Dr. Chin-Hong said that patients were often surprised that diarrhea, nausea and vomiting could be Covid symptoms as well, and that they sometimes confused those issues as signs that they had norovirus .

For many people who’ve already had Covid, a reinfection is often as mild or milder than their first case. While new cases of long Covid are less common now than they were at the start of the pandemic, repeat infections do raise the risk of developing long Covid, said Fikadu Tafesse, a virologist at Oregon Health & Science University. But researchers are still trying to determine by how much — one of many issues scientists are trying to untangle as the pandemic continues to evolve.

“That’s the nature of the virus,” Dr. Tafesse said. “It keeps mutating.”

Dani Blum is a health reporter for The Times. More about Dani Blum