College Prep Homework is a Great Way to Prepare for Common Core!

  Each Wednesday students receive the same homework assignment that our class calls College Prep Homework. College Prep Homework translates to:  Research something educational on your own and write two paragraphs (8- 10 sentences depending on the grade level) about what you learned.

The most important thing about this assignment is what the students learn from their research. The goal of the assignment is to develop a student’s ability and desire to learn independently in lieu of simply completing an assignment made by their teacher. The contract between the teacher, parent, and student is to ensure that the goal comes to fruition and the assignment does not represent an opportunity to slack off on homework.

Typically, students take this assignment as seriously as, if not more, teacher-made assignments throughout the week. It is because students are researching and reporting on something that they have chosen. They take great pride in their ability to create their own homework. The term College Prep Homework gives the students a feeling of being “grown up” and accomplished. It is fun to listen to students who excitedly tell you on Monday morning what they plan to research for College Prep Homework that week. Over the weekend, many students actually plan what they would like to research for their next College Prep Homework assignment! Students’ products tend to be a page or more, even though you have only asked for 8 - 10 sentences. In the past, parents have shared comments like, “Annika went to her room and worked for 2 hours on her college prep homework. I couldn’t get her to put it away!” Students become so actively involved in their research and reporting that they don’t even realize the amount of time that they are investing in it.

This is a terrific way to create a love for learning in students. It also allows for natural differentiation as gifted students often research things like Greek Mythology while lower level students research things like the main idea of a book they are reading. The teacher will be able to differentiate homework assignments without even doing anything!  The best part of all is that this works for any grade level!  In first grade I waited until January to introduce College Prep Homework, but once the little ones began researching you could feel their excitement each week.  Too cute!

Common Core is coming our way and it is heavy on student research.  College Prep Homework is a great way to introduce students to research in a non-intimidating way.  You'll see that students' research becomes increasingly thoughtful each week.  Students take great pride in this particular assignment because they are given so much ownership in it.  

One of my all time favorite pieces was written last year by Robin.  She adopted a new puppy and decided to use her College Prep Homework assignment to research how to best meet her puppy's needs.  As an animal lover and a teacher who loves to see students take responsibility this one really stole my heart!