Comments on: Student-Designed Schools

By: heather

heather — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:01:50 +0000

Toby,
Thanks for your thoughts. I too am mulling over how this will work. Yes, I think it’s about project and presentation choice. I also think it’s about prompt/question choice. But I also want to take a tip from Sheridan Blau who says, “Honor Confusion.” He goes on to say that Questioning is a form of comprehension. So I will start working (as I do every year) on teaching the higher levels of questioning. The students will learn how to develop questions to reflect the depth of what they are trying to learn. Taking a tip from AVID here. Great critical-thinking strategies in that program that should leak out to other programs whenever you get the chance. Thanks for your comment, and check in again!
-Heather
aka Tweenteacher

By: Toby

Toby — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:59:05 +0000

I am not a huge homework giver either. For the past four years I taught math, and always tried to have my students start, and if possible, finish the “homework” before class ended. That way they could ask me if they had any questions.
I am interested in your idea of giving students a choice on how to do homework. Do you mean the method of presentation, or the questions they will be answering. I will be teaching 6th grade language arts this year, and am trying to plan out how my classroom will work. I feel strongly that students should be given a choice on how to show they understand a concept. So many students are comfortable using the computer, and the internet, I am hoping to use blogs as a way they could submit work. Is this something you have done? I would love to hear any ideas that you have come up with.

By: heather

heather — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:19:37 +0000

Darlene,
Thanks for the visiting Tweenteacher, and thanks for the input. I know you have been offering student-choice for awhile, but didn’t realize it also included homework. How exciting! I’ve been using student-designed rubrics, student-created assessments, choice in assessments and prompts, but it just never occurred to me to throw options into the homework issue. I think the reason is that I’m not all convinced yet as to the value of most homework assignments, so I haven’t given it its due to try to up its rigor. But I’m excited to tackle this next phase of additional rigor in the classroom. I may check out your new blog, http://strategicteaching.wordpress.com/ in the hopes that you might bring some of your expertise to the discussion. Thanks again, for checking in and I hope to hear from you again!
-Heather
aka Tweenteacher

By: Darlene Pope

Darlene Pope — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:23:05 +0000

Heather, I think you will love the results of giving homework choice. You will be suprised at how easily it will slip into your practice. I like giving homework choice not only because it meets the needs of our diverse learning community, but also because it allows me to focus on enduring learnings rather than a mechanical process. I am always suprised at what my students come up with. I provide a menu of ideas, but also encourage students to come up with their own ideas that draw on their styles and multiple intelligences.Can’t wait to see the results of your new approach.

By: heather

heather — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:19:24 +0000

I will say this, however: I’m not a big homework-giver teacher, so the thought of experimenting with its delivery doesn’t threaten my program. I would add to your list as well – choice, autonomy, and make their time meaningful. Tweens and teens can turn on you if what you deliver is there just for a grade. It’s got to be productive and have purpose or a teacher can loose ‘em. Thanks for your comment and thoughts. Check in again soon.
-Heather
aka Tweenteacher

By: H Mason

H Mason — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:28:59 +0000

An interesting idea. The homework issues is one that seems to have no good solution. I would love to know how this works in your classroom. This age groups craves choice and autonomy so it may work.