Homework is a task given to pupils and students to do from home. It develops students’ time management skills and their ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks. It also fosters knowledge and reinforces what an instructor has taught the pupils or students in the classroom. However, there are different types of Homework with their respective strategies.
There are four common homework types described by the U.S. Department of Education. They are practice, preparatory, extension, and integration. Discussed below are these homework types and the strategies used for tackling them.
Practice homework
Just as its name implies, it takes constant practice to have a success record in this type of Homework. This homework type is the commonest of all homework types. They are given to boost classroom learning and help students get better at some specific skills such as time management skills, etc. The strategies to help children are listed below :
- Learn from the mistakes made in the classwork or test questions given to you in the classroom.
- Dive deep into knowing your math step – by – step. Know both the “why” and the “how” of every math question.
- Have the right attitude towards Homework and take it seriously: it should be considered as required, not as optional.
Preparatory Homework:
this homework type prepares students ahead for future classes. It makes available a conceived idea that will be covered in the next class. Examples of this homework type include reading a chapter(s) of a textbook before discussing it in the next lesson. Another example is learning spellings and vocabulary etc.
The strategies to help children in this homework type are listed below:
- Take cognizance of the chapters’ concepts and ideas to read and be ready to contribute when the chapters are discussed in class.
- While reading or solving your math homework, you may have questions or encounter difficulties and pen down all the questions to clarify in class.
Extension:
this homework type is given to students as a challenge to apply what has been taught to new things.
The strategies to help children in this homework type are:
- Have a broad imagination. Think outside the box by viewing concepts from different angles and perspectives.
- Look through resources that can give information about how the Homework can be done.
- Build on your problem – solving skills. Use available materials in solving any identified problems.
Integration:
this homework type requires students to apply different skills to a single task.
Strategies to help children in this homework type are:
- Be given to details and result – oriented.
- Effectively plan for multi-step projects.
No matter the homework type you are given, the general nuggets are given to make homework time more productive.
- Have a specific place for Homework.
- Figure out the best time to do your Homework.
- Prepare a schedule and prioritize effectively.
- Your parents should only support you. They shouldn’t do your assignment for you. Take responsibility!