Helping Students Develop Understanding:
Assigning Homework and Providing Practice
Homework! by TheBrady on Flickr
Homework and practice give students opportunities to practice, review and apply knowledge. Repeated practice is necessary in order for students to develop competency.
Classroom Practice in Assigning Homework and Providing Practice
Homework and practice provide students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of recently presented content. However, these strategies are only effective when employed appropriately. Guidelines for assigning homework include:
1. The amount of homework assigned should be appropriate for the grade level. (Less at the youger levels, and increasing as students move to higher grades)
2. Parent involvement in homework should be kept to a minimum.
3. The purpose for homework should be clearly stated and explained to students and parents.
4. If assigned, feedback about the homework should be provided.
Because the acquizition of a new skill requires practice, homework assignments should be designed to:
1. Help students inprove speed and accuracy when performing a skill
2. Provide students with the opportunity to "shape" and adapt the skills they have learned.
The use of homework and practice in a classroom may include the following:
- establishing and communicating homework policies
- identifying the purpose for homework
- asking students to use homework assignment sheets
- commenting on homework
- scheduling massed and distributed practice
Resources for Homework and Practice
Strategies for the use of homework and practice in the classroom have been divided into the following three areas:
1. The amount of homework assigned should be appropriate for the grade level. (Less at the youger levels, and increasing as students move to higher grades)
2. Parent involvement in homework should be kept to a minimum.
3. The purpose for homework should be clearly stated and explained to students and parents.
4. If assigned, feedback about the homework should be provided.
Because the acquizition of a new skill requires practice, homework assignments should be designed to:
1. Help students inprove speed and accuracy when performing a skill
2. Provide students with the opportunity to "shape" and adapt the skills they have learned.
The use of homework and practice in a classroom may include the following:
- establishing and communicating homework policies
- identifying the purpose for homework
- asking students to use homework assignment sheets
- commenting on homework
- scheduling massed and distributed practice
Resources for Homework and Practice
Strategies for the use of homework and practice in the classroom have been divided into the following three areas: