‘When homework is fun,it’s no work at all’

of homework are not about which one is more easier but about how much we absorb from it and if we enjoy the journey or not.

Mallika Gupta, X DPS,R K Puram

Creativity is about expressing ourselves. It’s about trying new things and collating them in an attractive manner. It requires both imagination as well as originality. It helps us work efficiently as a team. Interaction plays a major role in creative projects. Our thinking should be somewhat open- minded,focusing on innovative ideas. Moreover,we gain confidence in utilising our imagination which is not used during a research work. A student who is not up to the mark in studies is mostly good in arts and creative projects.

Noted American writer Henry Thoreau said it best: “The world is but a canvas to our imagination”.

Aagosh Saluja, X St Mark’s Sr Sec Public School,Meera Bagh

Ever observed the crossed fingers before or the sighs after allotment of holiday homework? It certainly reflects the attitude of students to holiday homework; but nonetheless,it is not necessarily evil. We live in a nation where anything and everything that deviates from academics is stereotypically branded as “wastage” of time. In this context,assigning monotonous homework to a hundred minds with a thousand ideas and a million aspirations may not seem to be a very good idea.

Research and essay writing undoubtedly reiterates students academic know-how. But creative projects develop the mind and cash in on hidden talents. Creative students would prefer crafts and innovations; while theoretical ones might prefer exploration of a subject. Both learn in their own manner. So without taking sides,I feel that striking that delicate balance between the two is what is essential for all-round development of students.

This would actually make student “do” homework and not just “complete it”; realise their special talents,boost their morale and show them the unique person they really are. This would make them the scholars of today and responsible citizens of tomorrow.

Paaras Sharma, XII Kalka Public School,Alaknanda

As the summer break comes to an end,there is frenzy all around,with mothers frantically running around trying to get their children’s holiday homework done. This often makes me wonder if it would be easier to complete the holiday homework based on writing essays and research or would creative projects be better? But again,this would be like asking whether eating food is better or drinking water.

In my opinion,a combination of both would be best for any student. Writing essays and research involves reading and learning a lot of new things,and then being able to express them creatively in a way you think is best. Also,giving a creative touch to the project would not only enhance the look and value of the information but also open the window of your mind into the vast field of colors and imagination that one would not be able to explore if we were to restrict ourselves to doing just simple writing work.

According to me,ideally each child should be able to find a balance between writing essays and the gathering information through research work,and putting them together in a beautiful and creative way. So,a single holiday project where the children can efficiently use their writing and creative skills would be better than them trying to finish a number of projects without actually grasping anything from the projects.

Ananyaa Gupta, Springdales School,Dhaula Kuan,Delhi

Holiday is a word which brings a smile to a child’s face. They are meant to have fun. During this,you get something which a child does not like to do and that is homework. There are projects,which are based on research and writing and there are ones which include big models. Both take almost the same amount of effort. The difference is that the research projects just enlist surfing the Net and writing using your imagination. The creative ones,on the other hand,require you to be creative. The research and writing projects are much better than those which involve making huge models just for the sake of creativity. They take a lot of time and are difficult to carry. Everyone wants their homework to be finished as early as possible. But these big creative projects don’t allow that. I feel that holiday homework should be ones that can be completed easily.

Tanya Bansal, X-C The Indian School,Sadiq Nagar

Holiday homework — an essential supplement to our learning — is often perceived to be an obstruction in the path of enjoyment. A holiday homework assignment is treated as an obligation during one’s period of rejuvenation. The new CCE system helps reduce this problem to a large extent by discerning the power of inventiveness hidden in young minds.

A creative project is far more eloquent and enthralling than the everyday essay and research works. It helps expand the knowledge of the one undertaking it by insisting that him/her think out of the box. It is said that “Creativity is the first step to invention” and so,we can say that creative projects enable the students to discover both sides of the coin and also to come up with good ideas,reasons and questions,which may show the world a new path. They mould the students to be sagacious and circumspect by enabling them to explore the world with a broad mind and letting them consider all the possible consequences of an action. Living in a superfast world,we may find such project time-consuming and too much for our little brains to handle. But we can conclude that they expand our knowledge and introduce us to new technology and various tools and methodology — unlike the monotonous text readings. They develop a sense of coherency within us and help bring out the latent talents in us. Also,if we learn to relate the gained knowledge with our everyday lives,then the concepts will be registered in our minds perpetually.

Anuja Sharma, IX-E St Thomas’ School Mandir Marg,New Delhi

Creativity is the truest expression of our soul,of our deepest inner nature. I feel that each picture we draw or paste,every word that we write,communicates so much about who we are and how we perceive the world. The way one organises his/her thoughts,vision,with the use of colour,pattern,and form reveals so much about their innate inner wisdom. In my case,even simple drawing and coloring gives me the opportunity to express myself in a very unique way. A research-based project is an opportunity to learn more about a particular subject beyond the confines of a syllabus. Writing essays and researching on the topics enhances my knowledge and demonstrates a wide range of skills that are applicable to life. An inherent part of a creative holiday homework is the relevance of content.

Mallika Dhawan, X Springdales School,Dhaula Kuan

When holidays arrive,fun is on everyone’s mind. It is a time to relax,to re-energise yourself and to enjoy. In the middle of all this enjoyment comes “holiday homework”. It is given with the purpose of making sure children use their free time to do something constructive and useful. It is meant to be a learning process beyond textbooks. Children usually consider holiday homework a burden and a waste of time. This is probably because to most of us,holiday homework means copying everything from the Net. How can this mindset of students be changed? Maybe,if research and creative projects are given in schools then children would take more interest in holiday homework. In my opinion,both creative projects and research ones are equally important. One can not say which one is better.

Research projects encourage children to explore,experience new things and make discoveries. Also,while carrying out research work we might stumble across certain things that we weren’t aware of before. In this process we might even unravel,unveil some mysteries of life. On the other hand,creative projects motivate children to think out of the box. It serves to bring out the artist hidden within each of us. The individuality of each child is promoted — everyone gets a chance to present his/her work in a unique way. Day-to-day textbook learning becomes rather monotonous and such projects would make the learning process interesting and informative. In my opinion,a combination of research and creative projects should be given so that children can expand their horizons and set the textbooks aside for a while.

Anushree Rana ,X,Springdales School

Holiday homework is mostly considered a challenge by students of all age groups,across the world,but it is rightly said that “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyse you,they are supposed to help you discover who you are”.

Holiday homework based on research or creativity have been assigned not to burden children but to ignite their interest in different fields ,apart from regular academics and also to help in the overall development of the mind.

Creative projects require dedicated thinking. It can be difficult at times,but the projects are still interesting. Research work is boring and monotonous.

Projects have always been important as it links practical life with theories . Today doing research projects have become easy due to easy accessibility of information on the Internet.

So regardless of the type of project,they are informative if hard work is put into it.

Neil Adit, XII Kalka Public School,Alaknanda

In my opinion,creative projects are better than research work and writing lengthy essays as such projects allow a child to express a particular assignment in his/her own way. On the other hand,research work for today’s children is nothing but just copying and pasting information on a particular subject from the Internet — the homework assistant of modern times. Essays too are very boring and monotonous,and to be very honest,even teachers often do not have the time to read them. So what is the use of such assignments,which neither interest the student,nor the teacher? Creative projects are much better as they are more of an enjoyable activity,rather than a taxing and burdening homework,making them my preferred choice of work during the holidays.

Arpita Saggar, X C The Indian School,Sadiq Nagar

Homework,homework and homework. Many students travel during summer holidays. So,many fail to turn in the holiday homework on submission day. But who is going to tell teachers to give less holiday homework ?

Teachers assign a student of Class IV to write lengthy essays or to do some research in which they will obviously take their parents’ help. And parents are not there for doing the homework,otherwise there is no point in giving holiday homework. Parents are only there for the guidance. Holiday homework thus ends up being a headache for parents,teachers and for students. As students find holiday homework a struggle,parents complete it for them.

My argument is not to do away with the process of assigning holiday homework. But can’t we have more interesting and innovative holiday homework so that the students attempt do it on their own and also submit it on time?

In my school,we are taken on visits to the school for the visually challenged so that can learn about how how they cope with their day-to-day activities.

This year,my school has begun a Burmese school project. As part of this,we are going to visit the Burmese who live Delhi and try to learn about their culture and also understand their issues.

Schools should come up with interesting homework assignments,so that students enjoy doing them and also learn during the process. Then finishing holiday homework is no longer a struggle and students themselves do it.

Tanishka Singh, IX-E St Thomas’ School,Mandir Marg