Cooking Up Quality Homework That Works!

1. Cooking Up Quality Homework That Works! FBISD Middle School Conference 2013-2014 Presented by: Nancy Cowart & Chassidy Alade’

2. Essential Questions • Why don’t students do their homework? • How can teachers increase the probability that homework will be completed? • What practices make homework worthwhile and effective?

3. How can teachers increase the probability that homework will be completed? • Think about how students can be successful in class before assigning work outside of class • Evaluate the format, interest level, skill level, or time needed for students to complete homework

4. How can teachers increase the probability that homework will be completed? • Focus the assignment on learning and provide specific and timely feedback • Consider barriers to completing the homework before assigning it

5. How can teachers increase the probability that homework will be completed? Consider the Barriers: • Intellectual – too hard or long • Organizational – getting it home, getting it done, or getting it back • Motivational – burnout, overload, too much failure, frustration with task • Situational – unable to work at home, no materials

6. Rule #1: Make it Meaningfulto Students • Does the assignment pique student interests? • Does it serve the curriculum and connect school and home? • Does it open possibilities for students all along the learning continuum?

7. Rule #2: Make It Purposeful to Your Instruction • Pre-Learning Activities • Practice and Repetition • Processing Activities • Check for Understanding

8. Rule #3: Make It “Do-Able” • 10-20 minutes per subject per night for secondary students • Limit the materials that students need to complete the assignments

9. Rule #4: Give Choices • Allow students to choose from options that target different learning styles and interests • Provide alternatives for students with modifications

10. What doesn’t work? Examples….. Read Ch. 13 Sec. 4 in the textbook Define the bold words in the chapter Answer the questions at the end of the section Complete the front and back of the assigned worksheet Make a timeline of events from the chapter What practices make homework worthwhile and effective?

11. What works? Examples…. Review the impact of European exploration in the Americas. Determine which country would win the gold, silver, and bronze medals. Be prepared to defend with facts. Study the key events of Napoleon’s reign in France. Create a report card for him listing grades for military leadership, handling of the economy,…etc. and support w/ facts. Create a Wordle of terms representing at least two types of industries studied in class OR think of a favorite store or restaurant and determine which industries are necessary to that business What practices make homework worthwhile and effective?

12. A Recipe for Success: Homework Menus What is the Homework Menu? The Homework Menu is a template used to assist teachers with issuing quality Homework. The menu is designed to target all levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and to activate Higher Order Thinking Skills. Benefits of Using a Homework Menu: • Differentiated Activities to foster success of all groups (GT, ELLS, SpED, AP) • Allows student choice • Promotes Ownership of homework • Allows for creative synthesis

13. Homework Menu Categories Appetizers: Activities that reflect the learners ability to recall information which was presented. The assignment highlights the learners understanding of the material taught; allowing for recalling of facts, summarizing main ideas, and interpreting material in their own words. Entrees: Activities that provide the learner with an opportunity to apply ideas and analyze concepts. These assignments revolve around “powerful questioning”, requiring students to use problem solving techniques, break down concepts, or show relationships between topics covered. Desserts: Activities that require students to use creative thinking. These activities should allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and form opinions about the material covered. Students should be given the opportunity to create, justify, and express their own understanding. Appetizers: Processing Activities Desserts: Enrichment & Synthesis Entrees: HOTS & Analytical Questioning

14. Homework Menu Activity Suggestions Entrees: • Unit Big Idea Questions on PCG • Writing Prompts • What if…. Statements and Probes Desserts: • GT Strategies in Textbook • Student Projects/ Hands On • Collaborative Activities Appetizers: • Content Area FACT Strategies • Marzano’s Strategies • PSET Strategies • Vocabulary and Literacy Practice Appetizers: Processing Activities Desserts: Enrichment & Synthesis Entrees: HOTS & Analytical Questioning

15. Sample Student Selection Menu Using this format of a Homework Menu, teachers provide options for students to select from within the menu categories. By Wednesday, September 02, the student will be responsible for completing: (100 points total) • Three- 10 point Appetizers: Vocabulary Concept Map (Choose 5 words from Chapter 11, Section 3) Venn Diagram Comparing Plant Cells and Animal cells Plant Cell Diagram- Labeling Activity Write 3 Plant Cell “Fact or Fiction Questions” to challenge a classmate. (Index Cards) • 50 Point Entrée: In complete sentences discuss: 3 main part of a plant cell and their functions with the cell, 2 ways that plant cells differ from animal cells, 1 overall summary of what you believe is the function of a plant cell. • 20 point Dessert: Create a 3D model of a plant cell using common household items. • Completion Grade • Graded for Correction , Completion, Syntax Due Thursday!

16. Sample Prixe Fix Menu Using this format of a Homework Menu, teachers pre-select menu items to assign to students. This week the student will be responsible for completing: (100 points total) • 25 point Appetizer: Vocabulary Concept Map (Choose 3 words from this week’s word list) • 25 point Appetizer: Complete one sensory figure from a character in the novel • 50 Point Entrée: In a well written essay, discuss how the main character’s personality traits impacted the overall plot of the story Bonus- 10 point Dessert: Create a new cover for the novel reflecting the antagonist point of view. You may only use illustrations and the title. No additional words!!! • Completion Grade • Graded for Correction , Completion, Syntax Due Thursday!

17. Remember: Homework is designed, not just assigned! • Less is more • Not all homework is created equal • Provide students with choices • Make homework meaningful • Provide timely and specific feedback • Adequately explain homework