1. Tricks of the Trade
Home Work and Practice
by Erin Perry and Stefanie Herceg

2. Theory of Homework
The amount of homework assigned to students
should be different from elementary to middle school.
Parent involvement in homework should be kept to a
minimum.
If homework is assigned, it should be commented on.

3. Evidence of Homework
Effectiveness
Grade level Recommended Homework Percentile gain
Primary grades 30 minutes little to none
4-6th grade 45-90 minutes 6
6-8th grade 90-120 minutes 12
High School 120-180 minutes 24

4. Implementation
Establish and communicate and homework policy
Vary the approaches to providing feedback.
Use of Homework Percentile Gain
Homework with teachers’ comments as
30
feedback
Graded homework 28
Assigned homework, but not graded
11

5. Theory Behind Implementation
Mastering a skill requires a fair amount of focused
practice.
While practicing, students should adapt and shape
what they have learned.

6. Practice
Students should chart their own speed and
accuracy
Design practice assignments that focus on specific
elements of a complex skill or process.
Planning Time for Students to Increase Their
conceptual understanding of Skills or Processes.

7. Examples
On-line Text books
Edmodo
GoogleDocs
Study Island
Ipad Apps
Tiered Worksheets
Choice Boards: Wiki spaces,
Pinterest

8. Student Access
Classroom Web Site
Edmodo
Differentiated methods for disorganized or special Ed
students.

9. References
Marzano, Robert J, Pickering, Debra J, Pollock, Jane E.
(2001). Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based
Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement. Alexandria,
Virginia: Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development.