Keep Calm and Do Your Homework (**Practice**)

Homework, or a homework assignment, is a set of tasks assigned to students by their teachers to be completed outside the class. Common homework assignments may include a quantity or period of reading to be performed, writing or typing to be completed, problems to be solved, a school project to be built (such as a diorama or display), or other skills to be practiced.

Main objectives and reasons for homework

The basic objectives of assigning homework to students are the same as schooling in general: to increase the knowledge and improve the abilities and skills of the students.^[1]However, opponents of homework cite homework as rote, or grind work, designed to take up children's time, without offering tangible benefit.^[2] Homework may be designed to reinforce what students have already learned,^[3] prepare them for upcoming (or complex or difficult) lessons, extend what they know by having them apply it to new situations, or to integrate their abilities by applying many different skills to a single task. Homework also provides an opportunity for parents to participate in their children's education.

Amount of homework required

A review by researchers at Duke University of more than 60 research studies on homework between 1987 and 2003 showed that, within limits, there is a positive interaction between the amount of homework which is done and student achievement. The research synthesis also indicated that too much homework could be counterproductive. The research supports the '10-minute rule',the widely accepted practice of assigning 10 minutes of homework per day per grade-level. For example, under this system, 1st graders would receive 10 minutes of homework per night, while 5th graders would get 50 minutes' worth, 9th graders 90 minutes of homework, etc.^[4]

Below are some great links about HOMEWORK/PRACTICE:

http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/dec10/vol52/num12/Homework%E2%80%94To-Give-or-Not-to-Give.aspx

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/five-homework-strategies-teaching-students-learning-disabilities

http://busyteacher.org/5105-assign-effective-homework-students-will-enjoy.html

http://ms.aft.org/files/ct-assigninghomework_0.pdf

http://cet.usc.edu/resources/teaching_learning/docs/teaching_nuggets_docs/4.2_Assignments_and_Homework.pdf

Perseverance

Perseverance is staying on task and not giving up. Perseverance is when you show commitment, pride, and a positive attitude when completing tasks. Perseverance is the ability to stick to something and complete a task even though difficult circumstances may try to prohibit you from finishing.

You show perseverance whenever you keep trying in spite of obstacles or discouragement. Perseverance is a day-to-day decision not to give up.

Ways Educators Can Encourage Perseverance in Students

1.     Believe in each child’s ability to achieve.

2.     Expect them to finish what they start.

3.     Avoid accepting excuses for unfinished work.

4.     Give positive feedback when a child puts forth extra effort.

5.     Help students realize that everyone makes mistakes, but what is important is to keep trying.

6.     Teach children how to regroup and start over.

7.     Motivate them to try new things.

8.     Encourage children to take responsibility for themselves and make constructive choices.

Since perseverance is a necessary ingredient for student achievement, it needs to be encouraged. Helping children learn to be patient and persist in spite of failure are attributes that will contribute to their future success.

Below are some websites that I have come across while researching perseverance that could be helpful in the classroom. Leave me a comment on what you think! :o)

http://www.kellybear.com/TeacherArticles/TeacherTip58.html (Classroom activities to promote perseverance)

http://schools.cms.k12.nc.us/beverlywoodsES/Documents/AprilPerseverance.pdf  (Perseverance Lesson for grades K-5)

http://www.kellerisd.net/studentsandfamilies/know/community-of-character/documents/traits/coc_perseverance_k-4.pdf  (Character Education - Perseverance Grades K-4)

http://www.ocls.info/campaign/charactertraits/_pdfs/perseverance_bookList.pdf  (Perseverance Book List Grades K-12)

Writing Tip: Check out this fun and creative way of getting students to persevere and add more details to their writing! The chain gets longer and longer when details continue to be added! Can be used in all grade levels as well as be used as an independent activity.