Well, if your student is anything like the other students that have passed through the doors of Ledford High, then he or she is probably not too keen on doing their homework. There are so many other activities they would rather be doing after school like participating in sports, playing in the band, hanging out with friends, playing XBox or Playstation, or watching TV. And I get that, I really do. But, it is important for us as the role models in our students' lives to encourage them to do their homework. We, as teachers, only assign homework that we have deemed necessary for the students to complete because they a) need more practice, or b) will learn something new!
While I primarily teach Algebra I and Geometry, the importance behind homework applies to all subjects and concepts. At Ledford, we are on the block schedule, which means we have four classes a day for about 90 minutes each. While this sounds like a long time in each class (and the students will tell you it is!) we sometimes do not have enough time to complete everything that was scheduled for that day. Or there is not enough time to practice a new concept or skill. As a math teacher, I have to assign homework because I need to make sure my students are practicing the methods that we have gone over in class. For example, if we are studying the properties of exponents and I assign 15 problems for homework, it is important for the students to complete this assignment for two reasons: 1) the students need more practice with the properties than what we did in class and 2) the students need the opportunity to see what they understand and don't understand. I use homework as a tool to assess students' understanding and if a student chooses not to do their homework, then I have no way of knowing if he or she understands the properties of exponents. My students will tell you that I do not grade homework on CORRECTNESS, just on COMPLETION. So homework checks are a great and easy way to earn a 100 for the day.
Over the past few years, we at Ledford have implemented a new study hall called Panther Pause (more info to come on a later post) and the students now have time during the middle of the day to work on homework. But some students do not utilize Panther Pause as they should or they are not able to get all of their homework done during that time and may still have some left to be completed. Parents, this is where you come in. We, as teachers, need your help in encouraging the students to complete their homework! Many students complain that they don't have time after school to get their homework done, but we know this is not always the case. Sometimes the students need a little guidance on how and when to complete their work at home. Below is a list of ideas that you as parents and guardians can use to make homework as painless as possible!
Tips for Homework Success:
- Schedule a time each afternoon for homework and make it a routine. Most students need a break from being in school all day so allowing some down time and a healthy snack before beginning homework may help your student be more productive.
- Have a special place set aside for homework completion. This could be the kitchen table, a desk in the office, or a sunny nook, just somewhere with a quiet atmosphere.
- Make sure there are office supplies available such as writing utensils, paper, calculator, stapler, hole punch, etc. for your student to use. A computer with an internet connection may also be helpful if your student is working on a project for English or history class.
- Ensure the area is free from distractions such as the TV, computer, or cell phones. However, my one exception is music. I know that I work much better with a little background noise and enjoy listening to music when I am working. Ask your student if having music on is helpful or too much of a distraction.
So now that you are convinced that homework is important and you have some ideas for how to create a distraction free homework zone, here comes the hard part: convincing your student(s) to do their homework! Here is a video from YouTube made just for students outlining some tips for successful homework completion.
Over the past several years of teaching, I have heard from many parents that they would like some ideas on how to help their students in math since math is usually not a very popular topic around the dinner table. Here are some recommendations on some great websites that may supplement the material we have discussed in Algebra or Geometry class. Henrico County Public Schools in Virgina has an interactive website with Algebra I material broken down into concepts or modules. If you go to the module tab at the top of their website, you will see several modules broken down into lessons. While we do not have the exact same curriculum, all of the concepts we discuss in Algebra I can be found under this tab. If your student is more of a visual learner, you can visit YouTube and in the search type in yourteacher. You will find hundreds of short lessons on algebra and geometry concepts. You can also visit the NCDPI (Department of Public Instruction) website for sample test questions for algebra and geometry.
Hopefully you have gathered some helpful information on this post about homework. As always, if you have any questions you can email me at: mtetter@davidson.k12.nc.us.
REFERENCES:
Algebra I End-of-Course (EOC) Test. Accountability Services Division. Retrieved July 11, 2011 from Department of Public Instruction: http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/accountability/testing/eoc/algebra1/
Geometry End-of-Course (EOC) Test (Archive Only). Accountability Services Division. Retrieved July 11, 2011 from Department of Public Instruction: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/testing/eoc/geometry/
Henrico County Public Schools. Algebra I Online! Retrieved July 11, 2011 from http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/math/hcpsalgebra1/index.html
Ledford High School. Ledford High School Homepage. Retrieved July 11, 2011 from Ledford High School: http://www.davidson.k12.nc.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=22
North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Algebra I. Algebra I. Retrieved July 11, 2011 from Department of Public Instruction: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/mathematics/scos/2003/9-12/45algebra1
North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Geometry. Geometry. Retrieved July 11, 2011 from Department of Public Instruction: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/mathematics/scos/2003/9-12/47geometry
YouTube. How to Make Homework Less Work. Retrieved July 11, 2011 from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT-_G4-fYkw
YouTube. Yourteacher.com. Retrieved July 11, 2011 from You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os2jgO8pX6A
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