K is for Kickin’ Bookmarks

We love bookmarks, so much so that many of our products include easily reproducible bookmarks and we offer FREE reproducible bookmarks in our store, Surviving to Thriving LjL on Teachers Pay Teachers. So, download some free bookmarks and share them with your students, their parents, and your colleagues.

FREE 16 reproducible Bookmarks for Teachers that includes 7 Ways to Use Bookmarks with You Colleagues.

Seven Ways to Use Bookmarks—free!

Sixteen FREE reproducible bookmarks with quotes from The One and Only Ivan.

Eight FREE reproducible bookmarks with quotes from Esperanza Rising.

Eight FREE reproducible bookmarks with quotes about homework.

Four FREE bookmarks that focus on friendship.

SALE 20% off May 22-23 Inspirational Quote Bookmarks for the Classroom

Includes 32 Bookmarks each with a different inspirational quotes and graphics. Quotes from authors like Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, R.J. Palacio, and more.

 

H is for Homework

Homework has little research to support its use or its connection to learning. When I first started teaching, I used the worksheets and quizzes that came with the anthology with one exception. I did the worksheets and took the quizzes and found for the most part they were definitely lacking. Then, I would ask my students why they did not do homework—responses included lack of time, redundant, boring, and just plain stupid. So, I started creating my own assignments that connected to the learning goals I wanted students to attain. I focused on creating assignments that included choice and personalization, that were fun, novel, and interesting to students and me. It worked and now our products reflect those very same tenets.
Meaningful homework assignments should engage students and be fun to do. We have compiled creative alternatives to traditional homework assignments that can be adapted to a variety of content areas along with a list of alternative homework assignment ideas. This product includes:
-Name Lists
-Rounding Up: Adjectives and Adverbs
-Survey. Note. Conclude! Homework Assignment
-8 Alternatives to Traditional Homework Assignments

-Teacher Bookmarks with Homework Quotes (8 reproducible bookmarks)

SALE 20% off May 18-19 Homework: Show What You Know

We also created eight reproducible bookmarks designed for teachers with quotes about homework that are ready for copying, cutting, and distributing. These are included with the homework packet, but are also FREE as a stand-alone. Consider sharing these bookmarks with your colleagues and parents to start the conversation about the value of traditional homework.

HOMEWORK: Show What You Know

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.