Homework

Grade 5 Mathematics
Homework

Homework is an opportunity for students to practice skills and concepts.

HCPSS Homework Guidelines Links to an external site.

Homework Considerations

It should be a task that students can complete independently.
Academic grades should not be jeopardized because of incomplete homework.
Homework should be purposeful rather than "just something to do." (Vatterott, 2009)
The task is as important as the time required for homework. In other words, quality is greater than quantity. (Vatterott, 2009)

Maximizing Instructional Time

Instructional time is lost when too much time is dedicated to homework review and/or correction. Time to discuss problems can happen in different ways. Mathematics engagement and momentum can also be lost when the class opening is dedicated to homework. Discussing homework may be a small portion of small group discussion.

It may also be a part of independent time. Strategies for going over homework during independent time include:

Post answers to questions and tell the students two answers are incorrect. Ask which ones. Share their thinking with a partner.
Working with partners, students share answers for particular questions and explain how they found solutions. (Or problems of their choice.)
Students self-assess by reviewing homework answers displayed on the board or with a completed copy.

Other options include:

Collect the homework and correct it outside of class.
Have a co-teacher, paraeducator, or volunteer record completed homework.
Ask students to vote on a problem they would like to discuss.
Go over a small subset of the problems. This shouldn't take place during the first five minutes of class.

Reflecting on Homework

Teachers or students can use homework for feedback. Students may reflect on problems or homework as a whole in the general categories below (primary options in parenthesis).

Got it/understood ("smiley" face)
Sort of got it/not sure ("straight" face)
Didn't get it/totally lost ("frowny face") (Vatterott, 2009)

Other ideas for student self-reflection include:

What questions/undertaintities do you still have about ____?
What was most effective in ____?
What was least effective in ____?
How difficult was ____ for you?

When reviewing homework during independent time, students might record

item number
reason missed
correction

Homework Resources

Homework files have been created to align with each week of this course's scope and sequence.

Vatterott, Cathy. (2009) Rethinking Homework: Best Practices That Support Diverse Needs

Alexandria, VA: ASCD