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Source: From Homework done right: Power learning in real-life situations (p. 6) by J. Alleman, J. Brophy, B. Knighton,
R. Ley, B. Botwinski, and S. Middlestead, 2010. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, p. 6.
Especially powerful are homework assignments that give students opportunities to create authentic products that can
be used in meaningful ways in the classroom. Let's look at a few examples.
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the class discussion that follows. As the fear of "one right answer" dissipates, all students will begin to contribute and
may become respected in new ways by their peers.
Cashing In
Meaningful homework is closely connected to what students learn in class; it extends the in-school curriculum and
provides opportunities for students to master skills and cement their understanding of big ideas. These assignments
often offer students the chance to apply what they learn in the classroom in authentic out-of-school contexts, and vice
versa. Homework of this nature emphasizes the here-and-now and serves as a valuable source of information for
class discussions that go far beyond the textbook.
When teachers cash in on the homework treasure, students will view their learning as meaningful and memorable
because it applies to their lives, expands their sense of efficacy, engages them with adults in responsible ways,
celebrates their diversity, personalizes the curriculum, exploits learning opportunities that are not easily accessible at
school, and keeps the curriculum up-to-date. The results enrich in-school learning for all students.
We challenge you to turn homework tasks into treasure!
Editor's note: More strategies for creating meaningful homew ork assignments are available in the authors' new book, Homework
Done Right: Power Learning in Real Life Situations (Corw in Press, 2010).
Janet Allem an is a professor in the Department of Education, Michigan State University;. Rob Ley is a 3rd and 4th grade teacher in
the Haslett Public Schools in Haslett, Michigan. Barbara Knighton is a 4th grade teacher in the Waverly Community Schools,
Lansing, Michigan. Ben Botw inski is a graduate student at Michigan State University. Sarah Middlestead is a middle school
mathematics teacher residing in Lansing.
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