This Thanksgiving, students will not only chew on turkey but also the prospect of having homework.

With an abundance of material to learn but lack of time, some teachers see fit to assign work to complete over break. However, this onslaught of homework leads to students having mixed feelings about whether or not homework over a break is a positive or negative thing.

Alyssa Quinonez, a sophomore at Granite Bay High School, said being given homework over break is a positive thing.

“(It’s necessary) to have homework over break (…) just to make sure you don’t forget what you learn,” Quinonez said.

The danger of forgetting the material students learn prior to a break is especially applicable when taking higher level classes.

“(Giving homework over break) really depends on the course,” said James Cunningham, teacher of Advanced Placement, Honors and CP chemistry.

“For example, over Christmas (…) I always give coursework (for AP Chemistry),” Cunningham said, “And the main reason for that is because (…) many students (…) have a gap between finishing one course and taking another course. Students (…) tend to need to get back up to speed.”

Junior Abraham Denton also said, that it is useful to receive homework for higher level classes over breaks.

“It makes sense (to have homework over break) because then you can keep up on what you did last year and not forget everything,” Denton said.

However many students complain about being given work over break, and not just because it can be time consuming.

“I don’t think we should have homework over break because you’re with your family and it’s a
holiday,” freshman Eve Khatami said.

Some students agree, but many don’t realize that teachers take this into consideration when giving the homework, as well as many other factors that could affect the completion of the work.

“One thing that you have to consider when giving coursework over break is equal opportunities for all students,” Cunningham said. “Not all students have equal access to all the technology that other students on campus have access to.”

A common complaint amongst students is not being able to complete homework because of a lack of resources, and for this reason they don’t find having work over break is effective.

“If I really need to know (the material) then I feel like (teachers) should give it before we go on break. It’s not the same (getting homework over break) than being able to go to school the next day and ask for help,” Quinonez said.

Despite not always wanting homework over a break, many students agree that it’s the for the best. Denton said it’s reasonable for teachers to give out a little homework, like
reading.

Although many students may see homework as dull, it is necessary to help keep the mind up and running.

“Homework is considered a reinforcement of class work,” Cunningham said.

Students may have mixed feelings about receiving homework over break, but it can come in handy.

“It’s important to know what you’re learning,” Quinonez said, “and make sure you don’t forget what you’re learning.”