homework that empowers all students
TRANSCRIPT
Homework that Empowers all Students
Tyler Auer | @mathfireworks | 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
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