Homework and Practice:
An Overview
Early Release Day Session #1
East Elementary
September 2009
Learning About Homework &
Practice – Fall ‘09
• Session 1
– Build shared knowledge
– Reflect on our practice
• Sessions 2 & 3
– Classroom application
– Integration of resources, technology, &
differentiation
– Sharing our practice
Training Outcomes
 Review HYIS content from the past two
year.
 Understand the benefits of homework and
practice as a way to effectively extend
learning.
 Identify recommended practices to get the
most out of homework and practice.
Review:
Let’s play
JEOPARDY!
Definitions
Homework:
Extend the learning
opportunities for
students to practice,
review and apply
knowledge.
Practice:
Enhance students’
ability to reach the
expected level of
proficiency for a skill
or process.
Homework & Practice
Category
Ave. Effect Size (ES)
Percentile Gain
No. of ESs
Identifying Similarities and
Differences
1.61
45
31
Summarizing & Note Taking
1.0
34
179
Reinforcing Effort and
Providing Recognition
.80
29
21
Homework &
Practice
.77
28
134
Nonlinguistic representations
.75
27
246
Cooperative Learning
.73
27
122
Setting Objectives &
Providing Feedback
.61
23
408
Generating & Testing
Hypotheses
.61
23
63
Questions, Cues, and
Advance Organizers
.59
22
1,251
Self –Reflection:
Let’s take a look!
• From Ms. Dollevoet’s webpage
– Schoolwires
– Looking at the Reflection
– Analyzing the data
• What does the data tell me about who completed the
“homework” assignment?
Positive and Negative
Experiences
• At your table, discuss a positive and
negative homework/practice experiences
that you have had as a student or teacher
• Be prepared to share out
Welcome to Wiki
http://homeworkandpractice.pbworks.com/
911 Call
For Group Activity:
Break into 8 Groups:
–Word on your table
–Find “other” table
–Locate a computer area in the
media center that your group can
use.
–Designate a facilitator, recorder
and reporter
Activity:
Research information about your “topic”
using the following resources:
–
–
–
–
Wiki: go to http://homeworkandpractice.pbworks.com/
Excerpts from the book (located in the Wiki presentation)
ISS Homework Policy (Wiki)
Powerpoints (on the Wiki) or J Drive (“Smart lessons” folder –
HP ppt.)
Chart information from the research and
create a non-linguistic representation
(draw or perform)
Scenario #1
Grading Homework Scenario
– Table Talk
• Now see it in a different perspective:
“Oprah Show”
Teacher
Sarah’s mother
Principal
Grading Expert
Rachel’s mother
Host
Grading Homework Scenario
What does grading homework mean for a student’s grade? Below
is a chart where we have two 4th grade children whose teacher
grades every homework assignment.
Rachel is a child who does well in school and has mastered many
of her objectives. Unfortunately her homework doesn’t get
finished because she has to help her mom take care of her two
younger brothers. Her grades in Reading have suffered because
her homework isn’t always complete.
Sarah is a girl who really struggles in school. She hasn’t mastered
many objectives and has difficulty paying attention. When she
goes home her mom tries to help her with her homework but gets
frustrated with Sarah’s lack of attention. Sarah’s mom ends up
telling Sarah most of the homework so she can get it done.
Sarah’s final grade is increased because she turns her homework
in everyday.
Data of 2 students
Assessment and Homework
Assess
#1
Asses
s#2
Asses
s#3
Asses
s#4
HW #1
HW #
2
HW #
3
HW #
4
Final
Grade
w/HW
Final
Grade
wo/HW
Rachel
92
93
96
89
0
0
100
0
58.8
92.5
Sarah
72
67
82
74
100
100
100
100
86.9
73.75
What do you think of these grades?
Would you make any changes? If so, what would they be?
Review of the Research:
Homework and Practice
The amount of homework
assigned to students should be
different from elementary to high
school.
Parental involvement in
homework should be kept to a
minimum.
The purpose of homework should
be identified and articulated.
If homework is assigned, it
should be commented on.
Mastering a skill or a process
requires a fair amount of focused
practice.
While practicing, students should
adapt and shape what they have
learned.
For “Homework” 
• Complete the Homework and Practice
Reflection online through schoolwires…
– the link will be emailed to you Wednesday
morning. You will have one week to complete
the reflection. Just transfer your answers
from today to the online version.
• Instead of a plus/delta……Go to my
webpage and leave your comments on my
“professional development” blog.
Thank you for everything!!
You have all been so GREAT!!!!