Homework and Practice

Texas A&M University – Commerce
Master’s of Education in Secondary Education – MED
MISD & A&M – Commerce Partnership Cohort 2010
SED 513 Secondary School Curriculum
Carlos Soliz


Homework and Practice

What?

Homework and Practice method is a really tough strategy that I have struggled to implement at the present school that I am at. At schools that I have been in the past I did not have problems with students doing homework and getting it turned in. I gave it a try anyway.

So What?

I had to find something that would spark their interest to make them want to do work outside of the classroom. I found two ways to accomplish this 1) assign current events to the places that we are studying and 2) assign computer work for them to do using Google Earth. The first couple of times were a real struggle to get them to turn in their work but eventually it worked. I still have some students that do not bring anything to turn in; they will not even bring it in late for credit. The Google Earth has really excited some interest in my students and we use it a lot in class to study World Geography. I have them find different places on the Google Earth map and write a report on it to turn in.

Now What?

I have to make sure that any homework is relevant and to return it to them graded as soon as I can. I want them to know that it is important to do research on their own and to be able to problem solve on their own. I tell them that the education process involves them to think and be able to solve problems on their own. Using technology makes me keep up with what is out there and reaches the students at their level.