The age old issue of how much homework is too much will always be there. In our system, it has been addressed that we value quality over quantity. It helps with mastery, but also in not having to grade 150 assignments of 50 problems. How much is the right amount?
Ah - the ugly, green-eyed monster named homework! I agree that we first need to ask ourselves why are we giving the homework. Some of it goes back to idea in an earlier chapter that we do it because that is how we were taught to do it! Homework should be a student's time to practice what has been taught. And grading - most of the time we just grade it, put in the gradebook, hand it back out - not always in a timely manner! I think we really need to be sure we put action to our words - that we do value quality over quantity!
ReplyDeleteAfter all that rambling - can we really set a time limit on homework? We need to be smart for our students AND ourselves - only assign enough that a student can demonstrate "they get it"!
I agree...however, they do need extra practice for certain skills...not all students need the same. This year in math (Yikes!!! watch out fifth grade, they are coming!) I had four different groups working on their needs at the same time and different homeworks to grade...almost lost my mind!
ReplyDeleteThere has to be a better way to evaluate the need for homework and the way we are requiring it.
I use highlighters in class the very next day and we begin by going over it together in class as they see their mistakes and successes too. Then, I collect it to look over nightly. It is a chore no matter how you go about it for the student and us. Is is producing results? If so, great...if not, what would be better?
I don't like taking a grade to be included in the gradebook as it is for practice and a work in progress. However, their effort should count as a part of the grade...perhaps just completion? What are you doing with homework grades? Looking for great ideas! Help!
Time limits...depends on the need of the student...not quite sure how this would be workable. Verdict is still out for me.
I really liked the idea of only giving grades A, B, and not yet...this helps them know
they haven't met the expectations, but focus is given to what part needs improvement.
I do give second (and this past year, multiple)
opportunities to resubmit an assignment. I average the two out of three best or average the two for the final outcome. (Thanks Cooper for teaching me this grade modification!)