Homework+&+Practice

**Homework & Practice** Homework should be given to students to allow them to practice their lessons and study information for proficiency. If students don’t finish work or assignments in class that are important in the learning process, they should complete it at home so they are ready to move on with the rest of their classmates. With the new movement toward longer class periods and teaching within trimesters it looks good on paper that we have more time per class but there are fewer days to teach the entire curriculum. When looked at as a whole there is less time to teach the concepts in trimesters than in semesters. For some subjects this might be ok but for others that work in at a slower pace fall behind in fast pace classes, which means they need homework to absorb the classroom material.
 * Read and Reflect:**
 * What are the purposes of homework? **

I assign homework that is not completed in class time. I offer assistance before school and after school to help students who are not getting work done because they don’t know how to complete it or understand the concept of the lesson. I encourage them to read their notes each night at least 2 twice. I encourage them to read the chapter and and add to their notes if needed.
 * What kind of homework do I assign my students? **

Most students at my school seem to view homework as a punishment. I think our educational system fails to emphasize the importance of learning the material we are teaching, and perhaps the importance of learning as a life value and an essential component of civic responsibility. This originates with parents and society as a whole. We don’t seem to value education like competing nations. Students don’t understand the need for education. To them it’s something to get through and is unavoidable. I try to encourage them to see the reason for the lessons and the importances of them completing the task. Homework is only effective for those students that see the relevance of the assignment. There are some students that don’t need to complete worksheets and practice problems. They learn by listening or maybe they already know the standards being taught and don’t complete homework assignments but pass tests with A’s and B’s. Is homework necessary for them? Busy work is never effective unless the students doesn’t mind doing it.
 * What makes homework effective, and how do I know it has been effective? **

There is a push in our district towards assessments being the primary grade for all classes, meaning that homework won’t count towards a student’s grade, only tests and quizzes. I have many students who fail because they do not do the class work and have missing assignments. They also have low test scores. But I also have students that have low test scores who manage to pass the class because they have done the class assignments. So if test scores are what matters to administrators and politicians to determine if a student passes, what will happen to the poor test taker?
 * What questions do I have about using homework? **

I ask my students to study concepts to prepare for assessment on the standard/goals being taught. I have them study notes and perform review by answering questions on the concepts being taught. I reinforce by doing vocabulary review and study as needed for the content being taught.
 * What kind of skills do I ask my students to practice? **

Students need to understand the importance of learning and some need to learn //how// to learn. Teaching students with disabilities is often a struggle to determine what skills they can and cannot do, and need to learn. IEP’s provided the necessary assessment until the advent of No Child Left Behind. Now all children are equal and must all learn the same standards. This is now the most restrictive environment I have taught in during my teaching career.
 * How do I decide which skills students need to practice a great deal and which skills they can just have a basic proficiency in? **

I think it is important to encourage the student to try as hard as they can by practicing what they need to learn. I teach them to acquire the skills that can help them practice and learn. I encourage them to make their best effort so that they can measure their improvement over time. We have standards that require all students to be proficient in the same things in the same way. This is wrong thinking because not all students are going to college and some students need to learn basic job or vocational skills to work and provide for themselves after school.

The students have to have a desire to learn and have strategies to accomplish a skill. We all need to see a purpose for the things we do and see some success in order to keep doing it. I use this analogy. I ask them what they like to do best (hobby or sport). I have them write it down on paper. Then I ask them how much time they spend doing this activity. I ask if they do the activity well or are they successful at that activity that they like to do. Then I ask them to think why they think they are good at it. This is to stimulate their thinking about the time and effort they spend practicing this activity and to point out that it isn’t always work if they like to do it. Then I drop the bomb and ask, “What if you tried something different or new with the subject(s) you find the hardest to do in school? I ask them to think about the class. Do you like the subject? Do you like the teacher? What is it about the class or the subject that you like and don’t like? What makes it hard for you? How can the teacher help you learn the material better? How can you help yourself learn it better? Think about the time, effort and practice you put in what you like to do – what if you did the same with the class you are having trouble with? Do you think you can try to practice more? Make a list of what you could do to help you put more effort into your studies. Make a study schedule for homework time.
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 12pt;">What makes skills practice effective? **

<span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Students seem to dislike class work and practice but what happens if they are only assessed on summative assessments?
 * <span style="font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;,serif; font-size: 12pt;">What questions do I have about using skills practice in my classroom? **

I can’t believe how easy it was to make flashcards using the Quizlet site. You just type in the word and click on the definition link below it. Then pick the definition you want to use and click on the button to choose and submit. It was so easy and quick to complete this flashcard set. I co-teach a Physical Science class and posted these on my Netvibes start pages for students to use. I plan on using Quizlet with all my classes and show students how to create their own as well as search for ones that have already been created.
 * Apply and Reflect:**

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