One question I’ve always asked myself around this time of year since I started teaching thirteen years ago is, “Should I give my students homework?” After all of these years, I can’t really say that I have a definitive answer. But, I do know that I want my students to be engaged during their time away from school.
For many years, I assigned packets of worksheets for students to complete over the winter recess. I never assigned it as a mandatory assignment. I think I’ve always known that most of the kids would never even look at it while they’re away from school. Usually, I would offer a prize or a homework pass to students who returned the packet on the first day back from break. There would be two or three students who would return the packet, but most were never motivated enough to complete a worksheet a day. What can I do to keep my students engaged in some kind of academic activity while on a break from school?
The first thing I needed to remember is that rest is important. No matter how well a student performs academically, behaviorally, and/or socially, we need to remember that school is hard. Allowing ourselves and our students to rest is vital to education. Our minds and bodies need time to rejuvenate. The issue is with finding the right balance between rest and practice. To help find that balance, we need to prioritize.
First comes determining what is the purpose for assigning winter practice. For me, I’ve decided that I just want my students to stay engaged in academics. But, I also want them to be engaged with their families and the activities that they experience during their time away from school.
Reading is essential. Student need to engage is some form of reading every day — even when on vacation. Literacy never takes a vacation, so reading can’t take a vacation, either. It doesn’t matter if they are reading independently or with an experienced reader. It doesn’t matter if they read a picture book, chapter book, or instructions on how to put a toy together. As long as a student reads every day during their winter recess, that is a lot of academic engagement.
There are plenty of ways for students to stay engaged academically — journaling, physical activity challenges, recording family stories and recipes — the possibilities are endless!!! And, you don’t have to give them a page a day to complete.
I hope everyone finds the right kind of academic engagement for their students this winter. If you are looking for something to use, I have a couple of items in my TpT store that are available. Check them out, and let me know what you think!
Happy Teaching!
Pina Rose
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Break-Activity-Pack-5109922
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Homework-Journal-6055500
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Terrific-Tutor-Pack-5307285
PinaRose Education 