I like a teacher who gives something to take home to think about besides homework.
Lily Tomlin
If you have looked at the research about homework, it generally does not support a connection between time spent on homework and grades (Kohn, 2012). The challenge for teachers is the expectation of homework from both families and students, but not all homework is created equal. Homework is appropriate for preparing, checking for understanding, practicing, rehearsing, and/or processing including analyzing, evaluating, and/or reflecting (Vatterott, 2009).
Meaningful homework assignments should:
- allow for student choice and personalization;
- provide opportunities for students to share things about themselves;
- tap into emotions, feeling, and/or opinions; and
- be aesthetically pleasing (Vatterott, 2007).
Meaningful homework assignments should engage students and be fun to do. We have compiled various homework assignments that can be easily adapted to a variety of subjects for intermediate and upper level grades. And, there is a list of alternative homework assignment ideas. Check it out on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Homework: Show What You Know includes:
- Name Lists
- Rounding Up: Adjectives
- Rounding Up: Adverbs
- Survey. Note. Conclude! Homework Assignment
- Using Graphic Organizers to Show What You Know
- 8 Alternatives to Traditional Homework Assignments with Mini-Activity Slips
- Teacher Bookmarks with Homework Quotes (Something to share with colleagues and start a conversation about homework.
References
Kohn, A. (November 25, 2012). Homework: New research suggests it may be an unnecessary evil. Huffpost.
Vatterott, C. (2007). Becoming a middle level teacher: Student-focused teaching of early adolescents. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Vatterott, C. (2009). Rethinking homework: Best practice that support diverse needs. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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