Element 16

Homework should be used appropriately, not regularly

Why Homework?

• checkpoint for understanding
• explore subject more deeply
• opportunity to ponder topic outside school
• time to add creativity or excitement through a project
• practice and review
• share with family by teaching & explaining
• opportunity for active, personal participation

Homework Should:

• reinforce student learning
• align to learning goals
• be worthwhile (not a waste of student time)
• practice a skill or deepen understanding

Tip #1 Assign Purposeful HW

Tip #2 Deepen Knowledge

Tip #3 Procedural Knowledge

Tip #4 Participation at Home

Element 16:
-Preview HW
-HW to deepen knowledge
-HW to practice process or skill

Preview Homework

• assign before introducing new content to acquaint student to material
• consider requiring students to record reflections, observations, or questions about homework for class discussion

Technology Enhancement

• create screencasts or mini-tutorials for students to watch
• create or find videos of content (ex- Khan Academy)
• record narration of problem solving process for math skills
• use technology (ex- blog or Google Classroom) for students to post comments after viewing new material
• share primary source materials that relate to learning goal (ex- Smithsonial Institute, Library of Congress, PBS)

Homework to Deepen Knowledge

• assignment requires higher order thinking skills to develop understanding (ex- compare contrast, classifying, create analogies)
• students should be well-versed in content before this type of homework

Technology Enhancement

• share primary source materials that relate to learning goal (ex- Smithsonial Institute, Library of Congress, PBS)
• online scavenger hunt to explore, compare/contrast, classify or evaluate content related media
• nonlinguistic representation of knowledge
• visual analogies or metaphors through collage (ex- Pinterest)

Homework to Practice Process or Skill

• assigned after student has demonstrated they can complete skill independently
• practice series of steps to increase student speed, fluency, and accuracy

Technology Enhancement

• students can record and narrate their practice (ex- Screencastify or Seesaw)
• Post screencasts to class blog, Google Classroom, class website, or youtube.
• students could then comment on others' explanations

Homework should be used appropriately, not regularly