H-O-M-E-W-O-R-K. Tired or assigning, collecting, and correcting the standard workbook sheets? It works fine for the students that put effort into it and/or have the family support to go over it. However, I was noticing an increasing trend of just quickly scribbled answers in order to avoid recess detention. I decided that I needed to make a change.
So, this summer I took a closer look at how I have always assigned homework and revamped it. My objective for assigning homework is for my students to apply what we learned at school that day. I also want them to use their reading, thinking, and writing skills. So this year I am using a homework notebook instead of worksheets.
Once a week I sit down to lesson plan, and I write reflective homework questions as I write my lesson objectives. Then I print a daily sheet of questions per team. Every day my students cut and paste their homework questions into their spiral bound notebook. At home they have to read the questions, solve the problems, and explain their thinking. The next morning they discuss their answers with their teammates while I check that their homework was completed. Then we go over the answers whole class and they correct their work if needed. It has been a learning curve for all of us. However, the payoff makes it worth it.
What I like about my new homework procedure:
* Students are more engaged (cutting and gluing) when putting homework materials together.
* Students need to pay attention to the lesson in order to answer their homework questions.
* Students are reading, thinking, and writing.
* There is peer coaching/teaching involved when discussing homework answers.
* Students enjoy discussing their answers with their team and the class.
* Students must still participate in team and class homework discussions even if they are unprepared.
* The number of students coming to school with completed homework assignments has increased.
How do you assign your homework? What are your thoughts on homework?
Fab 4th and 5th Grade 