Homework+and+Practice


 * [[image:leslievanhauter/homework.png width="43" height="42" align="left"]]Homework and Practice**

**Read and Reflect** **Homework**
 * The purpose of homework is to give students extra practice on content. There is so much to cover in such a short time that giving kids homework allows for extended time working on specific skills


 * I asign math, science, and social studies homework. Each student has a planner that goes home on a daily basis. In that planner, I have kids glue in a skip counting recording sheet to help them learn mulitples. They spend 3 weeks per number. So in 3rd grade, I start with 6's. They have to skip from 6 to 60, Monday through Thursday and get their parents to initial the recording sheet in the planner. After 3 weeks of practice I move on to 7's from 7 through 70. Then 8's, 9's and 12's. On a weekly basis, I send home 1 homework assignment depending on what were doing in class. This goes home on Friday, and doesn't have to be returned until Thursday of the next week. For instance, in science during our studies on recycling, I have them complete chart to show what they can reduce, reuse, or recycle in their home. Or during our studied on conservation, they have another chart to indicate how they can reduce their use of fossil fuels. In social studies, I've had them interview 3 people. They needed to find out if that person provides a service or makes a product.


 * Effective homework is one in which the students can complete without an adult having to teach a skill. I know if it is effective after I check it and if they get most of the information correct. I know that in some cases parents may do (or give their child some assistance) so I can't determine effectiveness solely based on correct/incorrect answers. Another way I can tell if a homework assignment is when I have kids present their information orally in the class. I can tell if they understood what they worked on. Finally, with the skip counting, I have kids orally count to me, once they've had 3 weeks of practice. If they can count fluently, I know it is effective.


 * After our class discussion I am wondering what kind of homework I can give students that will help them prepare for lessons I am teaching in class.

Practice
 * My students practice problem solving skills. I also have them practice listening skills. Another skill I have kids practice is communication skills. I have them practice fluency with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and time. I have them practice fluency with skip counting. Counting money and telling time are skills they practice too.


 * Since I have my kids for 2 years, I have a little freedom in determining which skills they need to master and which they need basic proficiency. One determining factor in which skills I teach to mastery is based on my Grade Level Content Expectations. Another is the based on the % of questions in a skill/content area that are on the state assessment. A third factor is to what ability level the next year's curriculum demands upon entry. For example, in second grade I have kids master basic addition and subtraction facts because they will need these skill to master regrouping in third grade. Yet, I introduce addition and subtraction with regrouping in second grade but don't have them practice until mastery until third grade. I know that in fourth grade students need to be able to multiply to the hundred's place. So in third grade I have them practice multiplication until mastery.


 * If students receive feedback, practice becomes effective. If students see their making gains, they find practice to be effective. If students are taught the connection between practice/hard work and progress, practice is effective.


 * I am wondering what research says are the most effective skills to have kids practice. Is it more beneficial to teach certain skills at different levels. For instance, let's look at problem solving. Should kindergarten students practice, "Act out or use objects"? Should 1st grade practice, "Make a picture or diagram"? Should 2nd grade practice, " Use or make a table and make an organized list"?

**Apply and Reflect**

[] I absolutely love quizlet. I plan to use it for all of my units. It is such an easy and convenient way for kids to practice in school on the classroom computers and at home for extra practice. I found it easy to add information. I gave a test on this earthwork's vocabulary and the class average was the highest so far this year, and I thought this vocabulary was quite challenging to be learned at once.