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Practical Pointers: Homework

I cannot give formal “homework” to my second, third, and fourth graders. However, there is a home/school component in our curriculum under “Communities” which states that three times a year, something be sent home where the child interacts with his parent(s), older sibling(s), or caregiver(s): “Students will bring home at least three assignments throughout the year to share new learning with their families.”

I always give several options for the parents to check off so that the different abilities of students are taken into consideration (differentiation): native speakers, ESOL students, students new to Spanish, high achievers, special education students, etc. Parents only have to check off one box and sign the form to complete the assignment; most students return the paper with several checks in the boxes.  I usually have a 90%+ return rate.

Typical “assignments” have been:

oShare a culturally-authentic song; children bring home a self-illustrated song book to show and perhaps teach someone at home the song. Children are encouraged to act out the song as we do in class.

oGive a quiz about the relative size of the countries of South America in relation to the states in the United States and what languages are spoken where ; students bring home a map of the US and a South American one. Portuguese-speaking Brazil is a real shocker for both parents and children as it is as big as the continental United States!

oTeach familiar expressions to their parents via flashcards on a ring they have made.

oAct out a play about Christopher Columbus or tell in narrative format what happened in the play.

oGive a survey about favorite fruits (named in target language); students have option of teaching “me gusta” (I like) or "no me gusta" (I don't like) to a family member.

oPlay a target language board game the children have made with someone at home.

If the child returns the assignment with the paper checked and signed by the parent/caregiver within a week, the children receives an incentive – either something immediate (pencil with inscription in the target language; super-sized sticker in the target language, target language bulletin board trimmer, etc.)  or -- students like this best -- an entry into a raffle for a bigger prize (target language/culture book, puzzle, game, etc. or a stuffed animal).