Practice homework reinforces newly learned skills through repetition of concepts like memorizing tables or practicing spelling. Creative homework promotes critical thinking by having students integrate multiple concepts into open-ended assignments like science projects or posters. Preparatory homework helps students gain background knowledge on an upcoming unit through activities like reading a chapter in preparation for class discussion.

1. Practice Creative
Practice exercises let students apply new Creative homework helps students integrate
knowledge or review, revise and reinforce multiple concepts and promotes the
newly acquired skills. development of critical thinking and problem
solving skills. This type of homework often
Examples: takes the form of open-ended questions and
• memorization of mathematical long term projects that allow students a choice.
tables
• practicing spelling words Examples:
• essay writing • dioramas
• reading for pleasure • science projects
• posters
Sample Assignments:
1. Reading Journal Logs Sample Assignments:
(http://waynesclass.org/Documents/Reading%2 1. Digital photo story of a biography or a
0Log%20Summary%20Sentence.pdf) historical person such as Harriet Tubman
2. Online Flash Cards 2. Creating a movie trailer for a historical
(http://www.flashcardmachine.com/) event such as the Revolutionary War
Preparation Extension
Preparatory homework where students gain Extension assignments encourage students to
background information on a unit of study to pursue knowledge individually and
better prepare them for future lessons. imaginatively. Extension homework helps
students take what they learn in class and
Examples: connect it with real life. It requires students to
• reading a chapter in preparation for transfer specific skills and concepts to new
discussion situations.
• pretests
• surveys Examples:
• writing a book review
Sample Assignments: • researching local news
1. Conduct a close reading of a chapter in • compare and contrast historic events
social studies. Come up with two questions for with current events
each section in the reading selection.
Sample Assignments:
2. Find and read two scholarly articles about 1. Interview a survivor from the Holocaust
the current class topic of study. 2. Creating a mock checkbook and balancing
it.
M. Winfield