homework that empowers all students

Homework that Empowers all Students

Tyler Auer | @mathfireworks | mathfireworks.com

mathfireworks.com

Research

Models

Assignments

What does research say about homework?

- Has value

- Less evidence of value in elementary

- Middle → 90 minute max

- High School → 2.5 hour max

Why else does homework matter?

Source: Otten,Cirillo, and Herbel-Eisenmann (2015) - "Making the Most of Going Over Homework"

The Traditional Homework Cycle

Alternative Models

"Nothing works everywhere, and everything works

somewhere."

Dylan Williams

Don't Assign Homework

Benefits:- Shows students you value their time

and only assign homework when it is meaningful

Disadvantages:- Missed learning opportunities- Parents may think you are "easy"

Provide All the Answers

Benefits:- Instant feedback- Easy to implement

Disadvantages:- Hard to monitor

Modifications:- Have students note incorrect answers

or summarize errors

Lag Homework Content

Benefits:- More students are successful- Exposure to content is spread over a

longer period of time

Disadvantages:- Can be a bit more confusing at first

because class does not match homework

Homework Schedule

Benefits:- Predictable schedule for students

Disadvantages:- Loss of flexibility

Modifications:- Only schedule certain days of the

week. (Ex: Monday night is always review)

All Week on Monday

Benefits:- Flexibility for students

Disadvantages:- Requires time management- Less teacher flexibility

Modifications:- Works really well when combined with

lagging homework content

Choose a Set of Problems

Benefits:- Students self-differentiate- Students must reflect on their needs

Disadvantages:- Takes additional time to develop

Modifications:- Be upfront about the differences in the

sets

What is homework used for?

PracticeAssessment

Preparation or ExplorationBuilding Independence

ReflectionDirect Instruction

PracticeAssessment

Preparation or ExplorationBuilding Independence

ReflectionDirect Instruction

Homework is the most consistent way we

communicate with parents about our teaching.

Traditional Homework

Alternative Homework Assignments

Practice Plus

123 x 567132 x 567213 x 567231 x 567312 x 567321 x 567

Set #1:

245 x 4

196 x 5

7 x 140

14 x 70

Set #2:

12 x 432

13 x 432

14 x 432

15 x 432

Set #3:

11 x 567

22 x 567

33 x 567

44 x 567

Set #4:

3 x 4115

2469 x 5

15 x 823

Set #5:Predict which product will be largest

before you start:10001 x 333

10010 x 333

10100 x 333

11000 x 333

Set #6:Predict which product will be largest

before you start:25 x 25

26 x 24

27 x 23

28 x 22

12,321 ÷ 101,000 ÷ 109,342 ÷ 9669 ÷ 9321 ÷ 6414 ÷ 6414 ÷ 5

5,555,555,555,555,552 ÷ 5123,456,789,876,543,210 ÷ 5

1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,004 ÷ 41,042 ÷ 4333 ÷ 3666 ÷ 3999 ÷ 3369 ÷ 3101 ÷ 3

Exploration and Launches

Source: Would You Rather Math

Partition each shape into fourths.

Source: Open Middle

Reflection and Summarization

Source: Connected Mathematics 3 - Prime Time

More examples and information can be found on my blog.

For this problem, I am glad to say I did not try to rely as heavily on peer observations and help. There were a couple instances, however, when I needed some assistance from my classmates. Nancy asked me what I had found, and I told her I had only six solutions. (...) I am glad she did not just give me the answer, but I still could not find ten on my own, so I asked Mike for help the next class period.

(All names changed)

Flipped Classroom

Research

Models

Assignments

Homework that Empowers all Students

Tyler Auer | @mathfireworks | mathfireworks.com