I just finished a blog for my American Lit class today. It took me some time, but I got it done. It was homework assigned by Mr. Provenzano about lies we tell to protect ourselves. I liked the topic and I hope I have comments from others on what I wrote.
No, this isn't a guest post by a student of mine, I actually finished my own homework assignment. I decided I was going to do my own homework this year. I promised my students if I assigned it, I would do it. I do not do busy work, so if I think it is important for them to do, I will do the same assignment.
It has not been super easy, but I like the motivation to do the work. If I can't finish by the due date, how can I expect the same from the kids.
You can follow my American Lit blog here. I told the students that I will not always complete the fulls assignment, but provide some tips and tricks to help them on their writing assignments. For certain opinion based assignments, I intend to model what I want from my students. That is what I did for my last assignment.
The feedback from the kids has been ok. I think they are waiting for me to give up and go back to assigning busy work like they have received from other teachers in the past. That is great motivation for me to keep working and get these assignments done.
This new adventure has really made me take a different look at how long I give students to complete work. If I'm going to need a few days to complete an assignment, the students are going to need the same amount of time. That has made my lesson planning much easier than in the past.
The more I work on this blog, I wonder how much homework teachers would give if they were expected to complete it. Goof food for thought.
Have a great day!
- @TheNerdyTeacher
I really appreciated and enjoyed this post. WTG on being a good role model and top-notch modeler for your students. Also... bringing to light the idea of effective homework is always valid!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic idea! Are you finding that more students are completing their homework? It certainly eliminates any room for excuses. As a teacher candidate, I have to reflect on the issue of homework and how to approach it. This has definitely given me something to think about. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I assigned a deep analysis of an argumentative essay to my students the other day, and I contemplated doing the assignment myself since I created it. How many times have we created a lesson that theoretically sounds awesome, but then we find that it's too difficult or impossible for the student to answer? Doing our own homework will keep us much more grounded.
ReplyDeleteI have been doing the writing assignments assigned to my students and sharing my drafts and struggles. Students seem to appreciate that we are part of the process. Sometime, I throw one of my drafts without name into the pile of written drafts we exchange for peer reviews. Comments back are helpful. Doing our assignments help us to see how learning occurs from the student's point of view.
ReplyDeleteThis why you, my friend, are a rock star! What a fantastic way to know what you are doing and assigning in realistic and valuable. I'm sort of in the same boat only because I am at a new school, new grade level, and new subject this year (I'm one day ahead of my students--not ideal, but making it work). Thanks for sharing this idea. Best-
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