timeline homework

My Life Timeline Activity for Children

Personal timelines can help kids understand history's building blocks

THoughtCo/Amanda Morin

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History is sometimes a hard concept for kids to grasp: not that events happened, but that they happened to real people and that to those people it wasn't history—it was their present. One of the best activities to encourage children to understand the idea of being part of history is to help them create My Life Timelines depicting their history and accomplishments.

Note:   Children who were adopted might find this activity a little difficult, but there are ways to adapt it to make it more general. Instead of focusing on everything that happened since your child was born, consider using less specific terms, such as "past" and "present." That way your child can decide what events in his past are important to him without feeling pressured to know the details of what happened before he was adopted .

What Your Child Will Learn

Your child will get a sense of historical perspective while practicing sequencing and expository writing skills.

Collect these materials before you and your child get started:

• A roll of butcher paper or pieces of paper taped together to create a strip 6 to 10 feet long
• Pencils, a ruler, and markers
• Glue or tape
• Index cards
• Photos commemorating events of your child’s lifetime. (They don’t have to be big events, just a selection of photos that span the child's life.)

Starting a Timeline

Here are the steps to get the project off the ground:

• Provide your child with index cards and ask her to help you think about moments in life that are most important or memorable to her. Have her write her date of birth on an index card. Tell her what day of the week she was born on and the time if you know it, and ask her to add that information to the index card. Then, have her label the card with a phrase such as "Today, I was born!"
• Challenge her to think of other days in her life that were important in her personal history. Prompt her to think about things such as brothers or sisters being born, first days of school , and family vacations. Ask her to write down the events and describe them, one on each index card, without worrying about whether they are in order.
• Complete this process up to the present day. The last card might say, "Made a My Life Timeline!"
• When she’s finished coming up with events, have her place all the index cards on the floor or a table. Now, ask her to put the events in sequence according to when they happened, starting with the oldest (birth date) on the left and working toward the most recent on the right.
• If your child has trouble remembering which events came before others, help her identify when things happened. Providing her with the month and year will be a big help in putting her personal history in order.
• Look through the photos together to try to find one to match each index card, but don’t stress if there isn’t one. Your child can always draw an illustration of an event.

Creating the Timeline

Here's how to put the project together:

• Lay the piece of butcher paper on a hard work surface. (The floor works best.)
• Help your child use the ruler to draw a horizontal line in the middle of the paper from one end to the other.
• Start at the left end of the paper and draw a small line upward (vertically) from the middle of the paper. This mark will represent the day your child was born. Have him put the index card bearing his birth date above that line. Then ask him to make a similar line at the very end of the paper, with an index card bearing today’s date and a little bit about himself and his life today.
• Have him place the rest of the index cards in order between those two dates, making a small line to connect each card to the line in the middle of the paper.
• Ask him to match the photos or drawings with the events and put each one below the correct index card under the line on the paper. Glue or tape the pictures and index cards in place.
• Let your child decorate the timeline, trace the information he’s written with markers, and then tell you his personal history.
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How to Make a Timeline

Last Updated: March 21, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Emily Listmann, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA . Emily Listmann is a private tutor in San Carlos, California. She has worked as a Social Studies Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, and an SAT Prep Teacher. She received her MA in Education from the Stanford Graduate School of Education in 2014. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 865,547 times.

A timeline provides a visual representation of events that helps you better understand history, a story, a process or any other form of an event sequence. You can make a timeline to fit a variety of subjects, so they’re a common academic project. Fortunately, they are also really easy to make. To make a timeline, research your topic, create your project, and organize the events chronologically.

Researching Your Topic

• Conduct Internet research, check out books from the library, or visit a museum or a historical site that relates in some way to your topic.
• Try to use multiple websites, books, articles, and maybe even a documentary. Aim to have at least 3 different sources.

• Personal details such as births, deaths, and other important dates should be added
• Historical events that impacted the topic of the timeline should also be incorporated into your timeline
• Important events that shaped the topic should be included as well

Creating a Framework

• Use a ruler if you are making your timeline by hand.
• If you are creating a digital timeline, choose a template.

• You don’t have to start with someone’s birth or end with the person’s death. A timeline is just a series of related events, not necessarily a biography.
• Consider your topic and narrow it to select the right starting point and ending point.

• If you’re doing this by hand, write out all the events on a separate sheet of paper before adding them to the timeline so you can figure out how much space each entry will take.
• Alternatively, you could type up each event, then print it, cut it out, and paste it to the timeline.
• If you’re using a digital method, create a slide for each event.
• Include drawings or images to add visual interest to the timeline.

• These time increments are not the years of your events. They are evenly spaced increments, such as 5 years, 10 years, or 20 years. For example, you might mark 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950, even though your events take place in 1923, 1928, 1938, and 1943.

• Organize the dates sequentially. The events need to be on the timeline in chronological order, not in order of importance or interest. For example, events listed throughout a year should start in January and end in December. [9] X Research source

Filling in Your Timeline

• The Life and Times of Nelson Mandela
• Beverly Hills, 90210: A Recent History
• JD Salinger's Storied Career
• California's Ancient Redwoods
• A Day in the Life of a Praying Mantis

• If you’re creating a digital timeline, type up your entries.

Sample Timeline

Community Q&A

• If you need to, alternate the place you are writing the events. Write one event above the line, then the next one below it. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Try to write small. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Be sure to cite your sources properly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/how-to-make-a-timeline-easily/
• ↑ https://timeline.knightlab.com/
• ↑ https://creately.com/blog/creately/how-to-draw-a-timeline/
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz9o15QKzMM
• ↑ http://www.datesandevents.org/creating-a-timeline.htm
• ↑ http://www.readingrockets.org/article/creating-timelines

About This Article

If you need to make a timeline to help you better understand a story or a historical occurrence, make a list of all of the events you want to include in the timeline. Aim for no more than 20 events in a timeline, and look for relevant details that add interest to the story you are telling. Sketch out a line using a pencil, and label the timeline with the project title and boundary years. Add the most important dates to the timeline in sequential order, then fill in any details. For tips from our reviewer on different ways to structure your timeline, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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“Teaching kids about historical timelines can be an engaging and interactive process. By incorporating activities and websites into their learning, you can make the subject more accessible and enjoyable for young learners. Here are 15 activities and websites you can use to teach kids about historical timelines:

1. Timeline Creation: Have children create their own timelines using paper, markers, and pictures. This hands-on activity allows them to visualize and understand how events unfold over time.

2. Scavenger Hunt: Organize a historical scavenger hunt where kids search for specific events or figures from different eras. Provide clues and incentives to keep them engaged.

3. Historical Role-playing: Encourage kids to act out historical events or play the roles of famous historical figures. This activity helps them connect with the past and gain a deeper understanding of historical events.

4. Virtual Museum Tours: Take children on virtual tours of museums with historical exhibits. Websites like Google Arts & Culture offer virtual museum experiences that provide a comprehensive look into different historical periods.

5. Interactive History Games: Use websites like Funbrain, National Geographic Kids, or BBC History to find interactive games that teach kids about historical timelines. These games make learning fun and engaging.

6. Historical Document Analysis: Choose historical documents or primary sources related to a particular period and discuss them with kids. Analyzing these documents helps them develop critical thinking and historical analysis skills.

7. Historical Movies and Documentaries: Watch age-appropriate historical movies or documentaries with kids. Afterward, discuss the events and characters portrayed, linking them to the corresponding historical timeline.

8. Historical Picture Books: Utilize picture books that introduce historical events or figures to young readers. This visual medium helps kids understand complex concepts in a relatable and accessible way.

9. Historical Puzzles and Quizzes: Provide kids with history-themed puzzles or quizzes to solve. Websites like Sporcle or Puzzle Warehouse offer a wide range of historical puzzles to challenge and educate children.

10. Timeline Cards Game: Create a deck of timeline cards with different events or figures. Have kids arrange the cards in chronological order, reinforcing their understanding of historical timelines.

11. Historical Art Projects: Engage kids in art projects inspired by historical events or art forms. For example, designing Egyptian hieroglyphics or creating cave paintings.

12. History Podcasts for Kids: Listen to age-appropriate history podcasts that focus on different historical eras or events. These podcasts help kids develop listening skills while expanding their knowledge.

13. Virtual Field Trips: Take virtual field trips to historical landmarks or significant sites using websites like ProjectExplorer or Google Earth. Kids can explore different locations and learn about their historical significance.

14. Oral Histories: Conduct interviews or listen to oral histories from individuals who have lived through significant historical events. This personal perspective helps children develop empathy and a deeper appreciation for history.

15. Digital Historical Archives: Explore online historical archives like the Library of Congress or UNESCO’s digital library. Encourage kids to research and discover primary sources to enhance their historical understanding.

By incorporating these activities and utilizing educational websites, teaching kids about historical timelines can become an engaging and interactive experience. These resources provide a foundation for exploring different historical periods and help children develop a lifelong appreciation for history.”

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Setting Up A Homeschool History Timeline

June 13, 2022 Comments : 3

When I first started teaching at a private Charlotte Mason school, one of the first, and most daunting, tasks, was setting up a timeline in my classroom. I took one look at the beautiful timelines in other classrooms, and I immediately shied away from this endeavor. It went to the bottom of my to-do list, until a kind aid who had set one up before came into my classroom to put up the important date and figures.

This beautiful timeline was a helpful tool for us all year long. I loved getting to remind my students of an historical figure just by pointing to the wall, or to help them get acquainted with a time period in history by talking about the people who inhabited it. 

Since those days in my classroom, I've wanted to have a history timeline in our own homeschool room, but not surprisingly, I once again felt overwhelmed by it. That's why I was thrilled to try out the Printable Essential Timeline Library  by Homeschool in the Woods. 

What is a History Timeline?  

A history timeline can either be displayed on a wall or tucked inside a notebook. It often contains pictures and a description of the person from history, and they are placed in an organized way upon the timeline (either on the wall or in a notebook). 

 Last year, we began keeping a book of centuries. This was so helpful to get a grasp on the times throughout history, but it was a little tricky to keep up with and even harder to keep organized. 

Related: Charlotte Mason History: A Simple Approach

The Printable Essential Timeline Library

The Printable Essential Timeline Library came as zip files. One of the files included a list of all of the historical figures and dates included in the timeline. I printed this out first to give me an idea of what to include on our timeline wall. 

This timeline library includes almost 1,500 important figures and events to place on a timeline, beginning with creation and ending in modern times. These can be printed out either wall-sized or notebook-sized (or of course, both!) 

The Homeschool in the Woods website has been really helpful when it comes to learning about setting up and using our history timeline.  

Setting Up Our Timeline

It was easy to unzip and get all of the files. I did struggle a little figuring out which items to print out for the timeline I envisioned. The wall sized images weren't big enough to be seen on the wall, so I chose the file marked "figures with text." 

When I first printed them out, they were too large for my wall (I used the side of a bulkhead in our basement). So, I printed them 5x7 size, and then selected "shrink to fit." This was perfect!

Then, I cut out all of my pictures and backed them with cardstock. I didn't have to do this last step, but I knew that it would look nicer for the long term to do this. 

Choosing the timeframe for our timeline was tricky. I decided to use 12 inches for 500 years. This would work depending on how many items you want to put up, and how big your space is. Currently, since we've only studied ancient history, we aren't going to need a huge space for our timeline. I did leave us some room to grow, though!

Helpful Materials

I wasn't sure what would make the best line for our Printable Essential Timeline Library. Yarn seemed like a good idea, until I realized I would have to staple it into the wall, and my husband, the dry-wall mender, wasn't very fond of that idea. So, I found black craft tape at a hobby store (it's similar to washi tape) and this solved the problem. I also bought double-stick tape to help hang up the pictures. 

I found a straight-edge cutter was helpful for getting the pictures ready to hang, too. The cardstock was left over from another project, and any color you have on hand would do! 

Using Homeschool In The Woods History Timeline

Our new timeline has been so helpful for history lessons! I'm already realizing that it's a useful tool for review.  When I added a new figure and discussed it with my daughter, we talked about what we had learned about that person and where he or she fit into the history curriculum we use.  As we continue to keep our history timeline notebook, I'll print out figures to paste in there as a beautiful record of what we've learned together. 

If this sounds like a good fit for you homeschool, use the discount code 10off50 for $10 off $50 at Homeschool in the Woods.

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August 28, 2023 at 5:57 am

Could you give a little more detail about how you printed them? When you say you “chose the 5×7 size”, did this allow you to print each image individually?

September 18, 2023 at 6:18 am

Hi! Yes, I printed each one individually and in the files there are different size options! Some are small enough for a notebook, some are large enough for the wall. I can’t remember what the other larger size was, but there was definitely a 5 x 7!

January 12, 2023 at 1:30 pm

Oooooh, thank you for sharing this! I’ve been looking for some type of printable history timeline for a while. These cards are perfect to go alongside our history spine!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Welcome! This blog started out as an outlet when I had very young children, and has grown into a full-blown job over the years! I'm Leah, mom of three living in Colorado with my husband of 12 years. The homeschooling lifestyle has benefitted us in so many ways, that sharing about it seems natural and necessary. Here you'll find posts about books, curriculum, Charlotte Mason homeschooling, parenting, and faith. Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter!

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• Historical Happenings

It’s About Time for Teaching Timelines!

• January 2, 2017

• Creative Social Studies Ideas

So as a 5th grade teacher, I always assumed my students are coming to Runnels’ Land already knowing how to read, interpret, and create timelines. Insert your LOL here. I think I’ve been a little delusional! I bet their 4th grade teachers thought the same thing and so on and so on back to down to primary grades! I took a different approach last year and decided to teach timelines as if they had never even heard of them. I would put a tally in the “Teacher Win” column for that tactic!

So I bet you are wondering how I went about planning this. Maybe you are thinking I had beautifully crafted, detailed lesson plans days in advance. You would be wrong. This came to me as a spur-of-the-moment inspiration after seeing how my students were struggling. This is why I don’t believe in planning in advance. I have done my best lessons on the fly. Apparently that approach can be problematic in terms of administrative observations, so I’ve had to adjust my philosophy a smidge.

One day we were in the midst of investigating one William Tecumseh Sherman. I shared an anecdote with my students about the time I was on a carriage ride in Savannah and spent the entire time in a lively Q & A with the driver about Mr. Sherman. I’m sure my mom and daughter were just wishing I would be quiet and enjoy the sights and sounds of my favorite Southern city. No way!

We had a small group discussion in a guided station about his March to the Sea. Then they responded to a discussion post on my course page (my county’s version of a web site) about whether or not Sherman was too harsh or his methods were fair. So a few days later, I gave them a follow up activity using a differentiated set of Sherman passages and comprehension questions from Bow Tie Guy and Wife.  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/William-T-Sherman-Differentiated-Reading-Passages-1952898

Part of the questions required my students to create a timeline about Sherman’s life. I love this because it forced them to think at a higher level! I gave a quick intro to the assignment and let them go to town. Oh my. They had no clue what to do for the timeline. They also had a project due soon and one of the options was a timeline. So I reflected that afternoon about a different battle plan (see what I did there??) for the next day.

I decided to use a Timelines 101 approach to teaching timelines. I scoured Pinterest and the rest of the interwebs for some inspiration. As with most Social Studies topics, the resources were sparse. I found lots of lovely Kodak moments but not much for how to teach basic timeline strategies. I am a huge music fan so I tried to find a clip to help! My kiddos really respond to these, too! Well, thank goodness I came across this Gangnam Style parody by The Singing History Teachers! My students asked to watch it again immediately after it was over! We didn’t because #aintnobodygottimeforthat.  http://safeshare.tv/w/mZECMwZRQb

 I also found a timeline game on a website I came across (via my assistant Pinterest) that happens to be a JACKPOT for social studies games. Yes, you read that correctly. They exist. It’s called “Technology Rocks. Seriously.” And she would be spot on with her URL. It should be called “my blog rocks.com!” Here is a link to the timeline game called “It’s a Matter of Time.” This would make a great station activity! I just showed it to them quickly and said I would put it on my course page, my county’s version of a website.

http://www.compasslearningodyssey.com/sample_act/23ss_time.html

Ok, so after I backed up a few steps in my teaching timelines process, we moved on to a collaborative activity to go along with the conclusion of our Civil War unit. Our standard requires the students to identify 5 major battles/campaigns: Fort Sumter, Gettysburg, Sherman’s March, The Atlanta Campaign, and Appomattox Courthouse. All I did was give them this little slip to glue in their notebooks (not TPT-worthy). I suggested they look up the details for all the dates first in their interactive notebook and then create a rough draft there as well. The final product was on large copy paper.

I added The Battle of Bull Run because I think that was a significant early event and our students have to know about Stonewall Jackson. Great teachable moment with that battle because there were two battles at Bull Run/Manassas. Did you know that the South referred to battles by the city and the North referred to them by rivers? I did. I just get the particulars reversed! I had to clarify to my students that the First Battle of Bull Run did not mean it was the first battle of the war.

This activity was very easy to implement and could easily be adapted for whatever content you teach. You could even have students create a timeline for an assessment instead of a traditional summative assessment. You could scaffold it for younger students or to modify for English Language Learners by giving them the events and dates to include. Challenge gifted students by having them list the events they feel are significant and explain why they chose them.

Other Ideas for Teaching Timelines

I think it is always extremely important for students to relate Social Studies content to their lives. I wanted them to complete an assignment where they had to think about important events in their own lives. In retrospect, doing this first would have been more effective. It’s tricky fitting everything in an hour when you are departmentalized. I used a sheet I think I got from the GCSS (Georgia Council for SS) conference I attended in 2015 for morning work the next day. I can’t share it because I’m not sure the exact source. Basically, they had to list some important events from their past, their present, and what they think the future might hold. It was a great way for me to get to know them even better, too! It was fun to see what they put for their future goals.

A few years ago I created a giant “Road Trip Through U.S. History” in the hallway for the whole year and each class had a couple of decades for which to list and/or illustrate events. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures! I also had a timeline in my room. Last year I have my room decorated with pictures/word wall images in eras making a giant, more abstract timeline.  I think it is extremely important to help students see their place in time and make cause and effect relationships. Making time for timelines is an integral part of Social Studies instruction. I talk more about timelines in my  Setting Up English Language Learners for Success Guidebook!

Naturally after the fact, when I was thinking about this post I came up with an acronym for TIMELINE . I posted it as a freebie product in my store! I hope this will be super helpful for students to remember the components! Here is the link:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/TIMELINE-Acrostic-2143687

Tips for Turning History Haters into Engaged Enthusiasts

Social studies tips for homeschooling families, historical happenings of august 27-31.

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Build canvas wikis with project timelines, plans, and initiatives side-by-side on an infinite canvas.

Embed documents and assets in the notes panel to link information together around timelines.

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Manage Timelines Collaboratively

Create timelines with teams and other stakeholders. Real-time cursors for any number of participants.

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Comment with context, have discussions and follow ups.

Embed timelines in any site or intranet or share with anyone via an email or link invite to collaborate on.

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Organize your timelines, group similar content, or build a presentation flow for proposals using frames.

Easily create multi-perspective visuals by converting timelines into action plans and roadmaps.

Export timelines as SVGs, PDFs, and PNGs to publish, present, print, and share.

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Through Education

The history of homework: why was it invented and who was behind it.

• By Emily Summers
• February 14, 2020

Homework is long-standing education staple, one that many students hate with a fiery passion. We can’t really blame them, especially if it’s a primary source of stress that can result in headaches, exhaustion, and lack of sleep.

It’s not uncommon for students, parents, and even some teachers to complain about bringing assignments home. Yet, for millions of children around the world, homework is still a huge part of their daily lives as students — even if it continues to be one of their biggest causes of stress and unrest.

It makes one wonder, who in their right mind would invent such a thing as homework?

Who Invented Homework?

Pliny the younger: when in ancient rome, horace mann: the father of modern homework, the history of homework in america, 1900s: anti-homework sentiment & homework bans, 1930: homework as child labor, early-to-mid 20th century: homework and the progressive era, the cold war: homework starts heating up, 1980s: homework in a nation at risk, early 21 st century, state of homework today: why is it being questioned, should students get homework pros of cons of bringing school work home.

Retrieved from Pexels

Online, there are many articles that point to Roberto Nevilis as the first educator to give his students homework. He created it as a way to punish his lazy students and ensure that they fully learned their lessons. However, these pieces of information mostly come from obscure educational blogs or forum websites with questionable claims. No credible news source or website has ever mentioned the name Roberto Nevilis as the person who invented homework . In fact, it’s possible that Nevilis never even existed.

As we’re not entirely sure who to credit for creating the bane of students’ existence and the reasons why homework was invented, we can use a few historical trivia to help narrow down our search.

Mentions of the term “homework” date back to as early as ancient Rome. In I century AD, Pliny the Younger , an oratory teacher, supposedly invented homework by asking his followers to practice public speaking at home. It was to help them become more confident and fluent in their speeches. But some would argue that the assignment wasn’t exactly the type of written work that students have to do at home nowadays. Only introverted individuals with a fear of public speaking would find it difficult and stressful.

It’s also safe to argue that since homework is an integral part of education, it’s probable that it has existed since the dawn of learning, like a beacon of light to all those helpless and lost (or to cast darkness on those who despise it). This means that Romans, Enlightenment philosophers, and Middle Age monks all read, memorized, and sang pieces well before homework was given any definition. It’s harder to play the blame game this way unless you want to point your finger at Horace Mann.

In the 19 th century, Horace Mann , a politician and educational reformer had a strong interest in the compulsory public education system of Germany as a newly unified nation-state. Pupils attending the Volksschulen or “People’s Schools” were given mandatory assignments that they needed to complete at home during their own time. This requirement emphasized the state’s power over individuals at a time when nationalists such as Johann Gottlieb Fichte were rallying support for a unified German state. Basically, the state used homework as an element of power play.

Despite its political origins, the system of bringing school assignments home spread across Europe and eventually found their way to Horace Mann, who was in Prussia at that time. He brought the system home with him to America where homework became a daily activity in the lives of students.

Despite homework being a near-universal part of the American educational experience today, it hasn’t always been universally accepted. Take a look at its turbulent history in America.

In 1901, just a few decades after Horace Mann introduced the concept to Americans, homework was banned in the Pacific state of California . The ban affected students younger than 15 years old and stayed in effect until 1917.

Around the same time, prominent publications such as The New York Times and Ladies’ Home Journal published statements from medical professionals and parents who stated that homework was detrimental to children’s health.

In 1930, the American Child Health Association declared homework as a type of child labor . Since laws against child labor had been passed recently during that time, the proclamation painted homework as unacceptable educational practice, making everyone wonder why homework was invented in the first place.

However, it’s keen to note that one of the reasons why homework was so frowned upon was because children were needed to help out with household chores (a.k.a. a less intensive and more socially acceptable form of child labor).

During the progressive education reforms of the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, educators started looking for ways to make homework assignments more personal and relevant to the interests of individual students. Maybe this was how immortal essay topics such as “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” and “What I Did During My Summer Vacation” were born.

After World War II, the Cold War heated up rivalries between the U.S. and Russia. Sputnik 1’s launch in 1957 intensified the competition between Americans and Russians – including their youth.

Education authorities in the U.S. decided that implementing rigorous homework to American students of all ages was the best way to ensure that they were always one step ahead of their Russian counterparts, especially in the competitive fields of Math and Science.

In 1986, the U.S. Department of Education’s pamphlet, “What Works,” included homework as one of the effective strategies to boost the quality of education. This came three years after the National Commission on Excellence in Education published “ Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform .” The landmark report lambasted the state of America’s schools, calling for reforms to right the alarming direction that public education was headed.

Today, many educators, students, parents, and other concerned citizens have once again started questioning why homework was invented and if it’s still valuable.

Homework now is facing major backlash around the world. With more than 60% of high school and college students seeking counselling for conditions such as clinical depression and anxiety, all of which are brought about by school, it’s safe to say that American students are more stressed out than they should be.

After sitting through hours at school, they leave only to start on a mountain pile of homework. Not only does it take up a large chunk of time that they can otherwise spend on their hobbies and interests, it also stops them from getting enough sleep. This can lead to students experiencing physical health problems, a lack of balance in their lives, and alienation from their peers and society in general.

Is homework important and necessary ? Or is it doing more harm than good? Here some key advantages and disadvantages to consider.

• It encourages the discipline of practice

Using the same formula or memorizing the same information over and over can be difficult and boring, but it reinforces the practice of discipline. To master a skill, repetition is often needed. By completing homework every night, specifically with difficult subjects, the concepts become easier to understand, helping students polish their skills and achieve their life goals.

• It teaches students to manage their time

Homework goes beyond just completing tasks. It encourages children to develop their skills in time management as schedules need to be organized to ensure that all tasks can be completed within the day.

• It provides more time for students to complete their learning process

The time allotted for each subject in school is often limited to 1 hour or less per day. That’s not enough time for students to grasp the material and core concepts of each subject. By creating specific homework assignments, it becomes possible for students to make up for the deficiencies in time.

• It discourages creative endeavors

If a student spends 3-5 hours a day on homework, those are 3-5 hours that they can’t use to pursue creative passions. Students might like to read leisurely or take up new hobbies but homework takes away their time from painting, learning an instrument, or developing new skills.

• Homework is typically geared toward benchmarks

Teachers often assign homework to improve students’ test scores. Although this can result in positive outcomes such as better study habits, the fact is that when students feel tired, they won’t likely absorb as much information. Their stress levels will go up and they’ll feel the curriculum burnout.

• No evidence that homework creates improvements

Research shows that homework doesn’t improve academic performance ; it can even make it worse. Homework creates a negative attitude towards schooling and education, making students dread going to their classes. If they don’t like attending their lessons, they will be unmotivated to listen to the discussions.

With all of the struggles that students face each day due to homework, it’s puzzling to understand why it was even invented. However, whether you think it’s helpful or not, just because the concept has survived for centuries doesn’t mean that it has to stay within the educational system.

Not all students care about the history of homework, but they all do care about the future of their educational pursuits. Maybe one day, homework will be fully removed from the curriculum of schools all over the world but until that day comes, students will have to burn the midnight oil to pass their requirements on time and hopefully achieve their own versions of success.

About the Author

Emily summers.

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History Cooperative

The Homework Dilemma: Who Invented Homework?

The inventor of homework may be unknown, but its evolution reflects contributions from educators, philosophers, and students. Homework reinforces learning, fosters discipline, and prepares students for the future, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern education. Ongoing debates probe its balance, efficacy, equity, and accessibility, prompting innovative alternatives like project-based and personalized learning. As education evolves, the enigma of homework endures.

Table of Contents

Who Invented Homework?

While historical records don’t provide a definitive answer regarding the inventor of homework in the modern sense, two prominent figures, Roberto Nevelis of Venice and Horace Mann, are often linked to the concept’s early development.

Roberto Nevelis of Venice: A Mythical Innovator?

Roberto Nevelis, a Venetian educator from the 16th century, is frequently credited with the invention of homework. The story goes that Nevelis assigned tasks to his students outside regular classroom hours to reinforce their learning—a practice that aligns with the essence of homework. However, the historical evidence supporting Nevelis as the inventor of homework is rather elusive, leaving room for skepticism.

While Nevelis’s role remains somewhat mythical, his association with homework highlights the early recognition of the concept’s educational value.

Horace Mann: Shaping the American Educational Landscape

Horace Mann, often regarded as the “Father of American Education,” made significant contributions to the American public school system in the 19th century. Though he may not have single-handedly invented homework, his educational reforms played a crucial role in its widespread adoption.

Mann’s vision for education emphasized discipline and rigor, which included assigning tasks to be completed outside of the classroom. While he did not create homework in the traditional sense, his influence on the American education system paved the way for its integration.

The invention of homework was driven by several educational objectives. It aimed to reinforce classroom learning, ensuring knowledge retention and skill development. Homework also served as a means to promote self-discipline and responsibility among students, fostering valuable study habits and time management skills.

Why Was Homework Invented?

The invention of homework was not a random educational practice but rather a deliberate strategy with several essential objectives in mind.

Reinforcing Classroom Learning

Foremost among these objectives was the need to reinforce classroom learning. When students leave the classroom, the goal is for them to retain and apply the knowledge they have acquired during their lessons. Homework emerged as a powerful tool for achieving this goal. It provided students with a structured platform to revisit the day’s lessons, practice what they had learned, and solidify their understanding.

Homework assignments often mirrored classroom activities, allowing students to extend their learning beyond the confines of school hours. Through the repetition of exercises and tasks related to the curriculum, students could deepen their comprehension and mastery of various subjects.

Fostering Self-Discipline and Responsibility

Another significant objective behind the creation of homework was the promotion of self-discipline and responsibility among students. Education has always been about more than just the acquisition of knowledge; it also involves the development of life skills and habits that prepare individuals for future challenges.

By assigning tasks to be completed independently at home, educators aimed to instill valuable study habits and time management skills. Students were expected to take ownership of their learning, manage their time effectively, and meet deadlines—a set of skills that have enduring relevance in contemporary education and beyond.

Homework encouraged students to become proactive in their educational journey. It taught them the importance of accountability and the satisfaction of completing tasks on their own. These life skills would prove invaluable in their future endeavors, both academically and in the broader context of their lives.

When Was Homework Invented?

The roots of homework stretch deep into the annals of history, tracing its origins to ancient civilizations and early educational practices. While it has undergone significant evolution over the centuries, the concept of extending learning beyond the classroom has always been an integral part of education.

Earliest Origins of Homework and Early Educational Practices

The idea of homework, in its most rudimentary form, can be traced back to the earliest human civilizations. In ancient Egypt , for instance, students were tasked with hieroglyphic writing exercises. These exercises served as a precursor to modern homework, as they required students to practice and reinforce their understanding of written language—an essential skill for communication and record-keeping in that era.

In ancient Greece , luminaries like Plato and Aristotle advocated for the use of written exercises as a tool for intellectual development. They recognized the value of practice in enhancing one’s knowledge and skills, laying the foundation for a more systematic approach to homework.

The ancient Romans also played a pivotal role in the early development of homework. Young Roman students were expected to complete assignments at home, with a particular focus on subjects like mathematics and literature. These assignments were designed to consolidate their classroom learning, emphasizing the importance of practice in mastering various disciplines.

READ MORE: Who Invented Math? The History of Mathematics

The practice of assigning work to be done outside of regular school hours continued to evolve through various historical periods. As societies advanced, so did the complexity and diversity of homework tasks, reflecting the changing needs and priorities of education.

The Influence of Educational Philosophers

While the roots of homework extend to ancient times, the ideas of renowned educational philosophers in later centuries further contributed to its development. John Locke, an influential thinker of the Enlightenment era, believed in a gradual and cumulative approach to learning. He emphasized the importance of students revisiting topics through repetition and practice, a concept that aligns with the principles of homework.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, another prominent philosopher, stressed the significance of self-directed learning. Rousseau’s ideas encouraged the development of independent study habits and a personalized approach to education—a philosophy that resonates with modern concepts of homework.

Homework in the American Public School System

The American public school system has played a pivotal role in the widespread adoption and popularization of homework. To understand the significance of homework in modern education, it’s essential to delve into its history and evolution within the United States.

History and Evolution of Homework in the United States

The late 19th century marked a significant turning point for homework in the United States. During this period, influenced by educational reforms and the growing need for standardized curricula, homework assignments began to gain prominence in American schools.

Educational reformers and policymakers recognized the value of homework as a tool for reinforcing classroom learning. They believed that assigning tasks for students to complete outside of regular school hours would help ensure that knowledge was retained and skills were honed. This approach aligned with the broader trends in education at the time, which aimed to provide a more structured and systematic approach to learning.

As the American public school system continued to evolve, homework assignments became a common practice in classrooms across the nation. The standardization of curricula and the formalization of education contributed to the integration of homework into the learning process. This marked a significant departure from earlier educational practices, reflecting a shift toward more structured and comprehensive learning experiences.

The incorporation of homework into the American education system not only reinforced classroom learning but also fostered self-discipline and responsibility among students. It encouraged them to take ownership of their educational journey and develop valuable study habits and time management skills—a legacy that continues to influence modern pedagogy.

Controversies Around Homework

Despite its longstanding presence in education, homework has not been immune to controversy and debate. While many view it as a valuable educational tool, others question its effectiveness and impact on students’ well-being.

The Homework Debate

One of the central controversies revolves around the amount of homework assigned to students. Critics argue that excessive homework loads can lead to stress, sleep deprivation, and a lack of free time for students. The debate often centers on striking the right balance between homework and other aspects of a student’s life, including extracurricular activities, family time, and rest.

Homework’s Efficacy

Another contentious issue pertains to the efficacy of homework in enhancing learning outcomes. Some studies suggest that moderate amounts of homework can reinforce classroom learning and improve academic performance. However, others question whether all homework assignments contribute equally to learning or whether some may be more beneficial than others. The effectiveness of homework can vary depending on factors such as the student’s grade level, the subject matter, and the quality of the assignment.

Equity and Accessibility

Homework can also raise concerns related to equity and accessibility. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds may have limited access to resources and support at home, potentially putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to completing homework assignments. This disparity has prompted discussions about the role of homework in perpetuating educational inequalities and how schools can address these disparities.

Alternative Approaches to Learning

In response to the controversies surrounding homework, educators and researchers have explored alternative approaches to learning. These approaches aim to strike a balance between reinforcing classroom learning and promoting holistic student well-being. Some alternatives include:

Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning emphasizes hands-on, collaborative projects that allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems. This approach shifts the focus from traditional homework assignments to engaging, practical learning experiences.

Flipped Classrooms

Flipped classrooms reverse the traditional teaching model. Students learn new material at home through video lectures or readings and then use class time for interactive discussions and activities. This approach reduces the need for traditional homework while promoting active learning.

Personalized Learning

Personalized learning tailors instruction to individual students’ needs, allowing them to progress at their own pace. This approach minimizes the need for one-size-fits-all homework assignments and instead focuses on targeted learning experiences.

The Ongoing Conversation

The controversies surrounding homework highlight the need for an ongoing conversation about its role in education. Striking the right balance between reinforcing learning and addressing students’ well-being remains a complex challenge. As educators, parents, and researchers continue to explore innovative approaches to learning, the role of homework in the modern educational landscape continues to evolve. Ultimately, the goal is to provide students with the most effective and equitable learning experiences possible.

Unpacking the Homework Enigma

Homework, without a single inventor, has evolved through educators, philosophers, and students. It reinforces learning, fosters discipline and prepares students. From ancient times to modern education, it upholds timeless values. Yet, controversies arise—debates on balance, efficacy, equity, and accessibility persist. Innovative alternatives like project-based and personalized learning emerge. Homework’s role evolves with education.

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The Surprising History of Homework Reform

Really, kids, there was a time when lots of grownups thought homework was bad for you.

Homework causes a lot of fights. Between parents and kids, sure. But also, as education scholar Brian Gill and historian Steven Schlossman write, among U.S. educators. For more than a century, they’ve been debating how, and whether, kids should do schoolwork at home .

At the dawn of the twentieth century, homework meant memorizing lists of facts which could then be recited to the teacher the next day. The rising progressive education movement despised that approach. These educators advocated classrooms free from recitation. Instead, they wanted students to learn by doing. To most, homework had no place in this sort of system.

Through the middle of the century, Gill and Schlossman write, this seemed like common sense to most progressives. And they got their way in many schools—at least at the elementary level. Many districts abolished homework for K–6 classes, and almost all of them eliminated it for students below fourth grade.

By the 1950s, many educators roundly condemned drills, like practicing spelling words and arithmetic problems. In 1963, Helen Heffernan, chief of California’s Bureau of Elementary Education, definitively stated that “No teacher aware of recent theories could advocate such meaningless homework assignments as pages of repetitive computation in arithmetic. Such an assignment not only kills time but kills the child’s creative urge to intellectual activity.”

But, the authors note, not all reformers wanted to eliminate homework entirely. Some educators reconfigured the concept, suggesting supplemental reading or having students do projects based in their own interests. One teacher proposed “homework” consisting of after-school “field trips to the woods, factories, museums, libraries, art galleries.” In 1937, Carleton Washburne, an influential educator who was the superintendent of the Winnetka, Illinois, schools, proposed a homework regimen of “cooking and sewing…meal planning…budgeting, home repairs, interior decorating, and family relationships.”

Another reformer explained that “at first homework had as its purpose one thing—to prepare the next day’s lessons. Its purpose now is to prepare the children for fuller living through a new type of creative and recreational homework.”

That idea didn’t necessarily appeal to all educators. But moderation in the use of traditional homework became the norm.

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“Virtually all commentators on homework in the postwar years would have agreed with the sentiment expressed in the NEA Journal in 1952 that ‘it would be absurd to demand homework in the first grade or to denounce it as useless in the eighth grade and in high school,’” Gill and Schlossman write.

That remained more or less true until 1983, when publication of the landmark government report A Nation at Risk helped jump-start a conservative “back to basics” agenda, including an emphasis on drill-style homework. In the decades since, continuing “reforms” like high-stakes testing, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the Common Core standards have kept pressure on schools. Which is why twenty-first-century first graders get spelling words and pages of arithmetic.

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Which teams need a QB in NFL draft? Ranking all 32 based on outlook at position

Not every team is going to get a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. Not all of them truly need one – even if there is a top-heavy demand that could render this draft the first ever to feature four passers taken with the first four selections. But you can bet all 32 clubs will do their homework and weigh their options at the most important position in team sports.

After all, 66 quarterbacks started an NFL game last season – Joshua Dobbs doing so for two squads – a year after 68 had taken the first snap of at least one contest during the 2022 campaign.

Hall of Fame general manager Ron Wolf − he also happens to be the father of new Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf – was famously a proponent of obtaining a quarterback every year, and his son certainly needs one now.

“Every year, it's a goal to acquire a quarterback – whether that's draft, free agency, whatever it looks like,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider, who began his career as a scout for Ron Wolf in Green Bay, said at this year’s scouting combine.

“But, yeah, this year's draft class is a cool group. A lot of variances in there.”

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And while there is variance in need any year, it does seem like QB depth is becoming increasingly important in a league with a 17-game (for now) regular season and ever-increasing demands given the growing creep of international and holiday games, many of those occurring on compressed timelines.

How badly does each team require help behind center? Here’s a ranking of NFL teams’ needs at QB, ranked least to most and within tiers, ahead of the draft:

Very low priority

32. kansas city chiefs.

Duh. Carson Wentz just became three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes’ third QB2 since 2022, with Ian Book and Chris Oladokun currently on hand as training camp and preseason cannon fodder with veteran Blaine Gabbert still on speed dial. But with Mahomes under contract through 2031, not a whole lot of reason (or bandwidth) to dabble with drafting and developing here.

31. Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts is gonna be around for a while. And with Will Grier, Tanner McKee and, now, Kenny Pickett (probably for two years) in the fold, little reason for EVP/GM Howie Roseman to devote much thought to adding another slinger.

30. Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen is MVP-caliber and under contract through 2028. Mitchell Trubisky is back as QB2, probably for the next two seasons, and Shane Buechele is a semi-experienced cold storage alternative.

29. Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray should be back to 100% physically next season, nearly two years removed from his ACL tear. Behind him are a pair of young passers, Desmond Ridder coming over in a trade with Atlanta and bringing 17 NFL starts with him, and Clayton Tune getting one under his belt as a rookie in 2023.

28. Cleveland Browns

Joe Flacco, the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year , may be gone, but they’re otherwise taking few chances given the diverse array of options if exorbitantly priced starter Deshaun Watson goes down again. Veteran reserves Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley both have Pro Bowls on their résumés, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson remains an exciting prospect despite failing to shine in three starts as a rookie in 2023. With just two picks before Round 5, little chance GM Andrew Berry takes a flier on another passer.

27. New Orleans Saints

Their position on this list isn’t to suggest they’re lights out at quarterback. But they do have a full room with Derek Carr, Nathan Peterman, Kellen Mond and Jake Haener. Even utilityman Taysom Hill is still listed by the team as a quarterback. And with no third- or fourth-round pick, hard to justify investing in another one this year.

26. Tennessee Titans

With Will Levis entering his second year – coming off a rookie season with encouraging flashes – veteran backup Mason Rudolph now on board, and even Malik Willis under contract for two more years, seems unlikely a rebuilding team with no third-rounder would earmark much more to the position right now.

Depth deliberation?

25. houston texans.

Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud is the paragon of quarterback draft pick success – an instant superstar who would arguably have his team least in need to draft another if he had a lengthier body of work … or a backup who was under contract in 2025, when Davis Mills and Case Keenum are both scheduled to reach free agency.

24. Indianapolis Colts

Fairly similar situation to division rival Houston with talented second-year man Anthony Richardson at the reins with Flacco and Sam Ehlinger in reserve … for 2024 anyway.

23. Baltimore Ravens

Coming off his second league MVP , no questions about 27-year-old Lamar Jackson … other than his propensity to get banged up. And with Huntley moving on, the backstops are Josh Johnson, 37, and Malik Cunningham, 25 – neither offering especially meaningful NFL game experience.

22. San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy, who finished fourth in the MVP voting in his first year as the full-time starter, is going to be here a while – and can’t even talk about a long-term extension until 2025. Backups Dobbs and Brandon Allen may not stay beyond this season.

21. Los Angeles Chargers

They’re locked and loaded with Justin Herbert but only have understudies Easton Stick and Max Duggan locked up through this season.

20. Cincinnati Bengals

Given how effectively Jake Browning played in injured Joe Burrow’s stead late last season, Cincy looks fairly well set … aside from needing a camp arm or two.

19. Atlanta Falcons

Like the Bengals, they’re now settled at starter ( recently signed Kirk Cousins ) and with QB2 Taylor Heinicke signed for another year. But the Dirty Birds will need more than that – at least in terms of getting through spring workouts, training camp and preseason.

18. Carolina Panthers

For better or worse, they’re tied to Bryce Young for the foreseeable future. Yet this is another roster that will need more bodies to get by in the near term than merely Young and veteran backup Andy Dalton, 36.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars

Coming off a disappointing, injury-riddled campaign, Trevor Lawrence is nevertheless in line for a significant extension (but could also have a fifth-year option awaiting him). C.J. Beathard and, now, Mac Jones are in the bullpen, though both are likely to be free agents in 2025.

16. Detroit Lions

Coming off the team’s best season of the Super Bowl era (since 1966), Jared Goff is in line for a significant extension heading into his walk year. Nate Sudfeld remains as a backup … provided he’s not displaced by 2023 third-rounder Hendon Hooker, who’s now healthy enough to begin tapping into his estimable potential.

15. Miami Dolphins

Coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign, Tua Tagovailoa is also in line for a significant extension. Yet given his litany of injuries, the Fins could maybe do better than current backups Mike White and Skylar Thompson.

14. Green Bay Packers

Coming off a breakout effort during his first year as the Pack’s starter, Jordan Love is, yes, in line for a lucrative extension. For whatever it’s worth, backups Sean Clifford and Alex McGough have combined to throw one regular-season pass. Ever.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

They committed to Baker Mayfield for three more years this offseason but will likely have to re-think their contingency plans for 2025, when Kyle Trask and John Wolford will be free agents.

If the right circumstances arise

12. new york jets.

Aaron Rodgers has a very serious recent injury. Tyrod Taylor has a very lengthy injury history. And most recently, failed savior Zach Wilson has quite likely played his final down for the franchise. Though clearly in win-now mode for 2024, the NYJ have to consider value given they’re pretty much year-to-year at the position. Nearly unfathomable GM Joe Douglas would take a passer at No. 10, but – with no second-rounder – a high-end developmental prospect like South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler would be a logical luxury if he slides far enough.

11. Dallas Cowboys

Believe it. Like the Jets, the reigning NFC East champs and HC Mike McCarthy most assuredly need to survive deep into the 2024 postseason. As things stand now, Dak Prescott, Trey Lance and Cooper Rush could all be free agents next year – team brass apparently content to allow Prescott to play out his very hefty contract. Hard to believe Jerry Jones moves up for a quarterback, but he may also have to decide whether or not to pass on players like Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and/or Oregon's Bo Nix.

10. Los Angeles Rams

If “Matthew Stafford Watch” isn’t an annual thing already, it will be soon. Newly signed Jimmy Garoppolo is among the best backups in the league but not a long-term fallback. Stetson Bennett IV missed virtually all of his rookie season for undisclosed reasons, while Dresser Winn rounds out the group. It would be a surprise if GM Les Snead used his first Round 1 pick in eight years on a quarterback but not so much if he rolls the dice on someone who’s too intriguing to bypass on Day 2.

9. Seattle Seahawks

They have to do something – it’s just a matter of how much and when. Geno Smith and Sam Howell combined to start 32 games in 2023 (Howell with Washington), and both are under contract for the next two seasons. While the Seahawks, who tend to roll light at the QB depth chart, will need help at least to get through the summer, they’ll also have to consider outright upgrades given team brass’ fairly lukewarm commitment to Smith this offseason. Seattle currently has no second-round pick, though Schneider tends to move around the board frequently. Former Huskies star Penix is one who might hold significant intrigue given the Seahawks just hired Ryan Grubb, Penix’s offensive coordinator during his past two years at UW.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

They’ve got plenty to sort through given the recent arrivals of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen to a completely revamped depth chart . Seemingly little need to add a rookie to this mix … aside from the fact that, similar to Dallas' situation, the entire trio could be gone in a year.

7. New York Giants

They’re in a fascinating spot, literally and figuratively. With the sixth overall pick, a player like Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy or North Carolina’s Drake Maye might fall to New York – and/or, if Big Blue targets one of them or LSU’s Jayden Daniels, they wouldn’t have far to move up … though hard to see them and Washington coming to the table over the No. 2 selection. Yet coming off an ACL injury and season when he played behind a poor line and without any bona fide weapons, aside from now-departed RB Saquon Barkley , what happens with Daniel Jones as he enters the second season of a four-year, $160 million pact? With veteran Drew Lock and NFL sophomore Tommy DeVito also on the roster, seems like the Giants will either make a huge splash behind center or else barely a ripple.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

New HC Antonio Pierce’s love for and ties to Daniels (when both were at Arizona State) are apparent and reciprocated. But the Silver and Black would have to pay a king's ransom to move up from No. 13 to get him. Penix or Nix seem like more realistic options if the Raiders stick and pick in Round 1 – though after adding Gardner Minshew II in free agency, new GM Tom Telesco doesn’t have to make an extravagant trade for, say, McCarthy or Daniels … much as it seems Pierce wants him to.

High priority

5. new england patriots.

Jacoby Brissett is a proven career backup, and Bailey Zappe has a chance to reach that threshold. Said another way, the Pats are still seeking Tom Brady’s long-term successor, and the only reason not to take a shot in Round 1 is if Eliot Wolf decides a roster that didn’t support departed Mac Jones just isn’t ready to rally around another rookie any time soon.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Retread Nick Mullens and rookie Jaren Hall were among the fill-ins for now-departed Cousins in 2023 – and their collective performance helped necessitate the signing of Sam Darnold as a stopgap. The Vikes seem poised to move up for a long-term solution after acquiring the draft’s 23rd overall pick , adding it to their organic first-rounder (No. 11) even though the roster is largely in good position to win immediately. But TBD whom might be on Minnesota’s board and/or if GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can get into position for the player(s) he covets.

3. Denver Broncos

HC Sean Payton and GM George Paton freely admit they need to add to a room that currently includes journeymen Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci, neither signed for 2025 – and they probably need to import multiple passers. Currently with only one draft pick (No. 12) among the top 75, this franchise faces quite a decision entering the 2024 season – and that probably means whether to gamble on someone who’s probably rated no better than this draft’s fourth-best quarterback or to essentially punt on a season effectively already crippled by the $85 million salary cap charge incurred by the March release of Russell Wilson.

2. Washington Commanders

Much as some teams might desire their No. 2 overall slot, hard to fathom a world where new GM Adam Peters doesn’t wind up with Daniels, Maye or McCarthy as the new face of this resetting franchise. Currently on the roster, Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel and Jake Fromm are all backup-caliber guys on one-year deals.

1. Chicago Bears

No drama here. Fields is gone. Undrafted Tyson Bagent and peripatetic Brett Rypien are currently the only quarterbacks on the roster. Former USC star and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is expected to join right after the draft officially starts April 25.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis .