To encourage students to do routine homework assignments, teachers might occasionally assign silly homework assignments (such as "Brush your teeth with the hand you usually don't use"). Class discussions and parent reactions provide feedback. A list of suggestions and a reproducible page are offered. (JL)

For homework assignments to be effective, they must serve to develop skills and help students gain a sense of accomplishment. Suggestions for developing interesting, positive homework assignments that use contracts and skill cards are offered. (DF)

This booklet presents parents with 10 "easy and fun" tips for helping their children be motivated to learn, value learning, and achieve his or her best. The 10 tips in the booklet are: be a model of curiosity; encourage your child's natural curiosity; praise and reward efforts to learn; solve real problems; lay out the steps to success; show…

A study investigated how providing choice opportunities to children (ages 5-9) with autism impacted their performance during teacher-assigned homework activities. Results showed that providing the students with opportunities to make choices regarding the order to task completion and use of stimulus materials improved participants' accuracy,…

This action research project sought to decrease the number of late or missing homework assignments among fourth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders in two schools near large urban communities. Survey data showed that over 75 percent of teachers polled considered late or missing assignments to be a problem. Several strategies were implemented,…

Three studies examined the effects of different interventions used with elementary students with learning disabilities and typical students on spelling and math homework completion and weekly quiz performance. Three intervention strategies resulted in significant increases in homework completion: giving students real-life assignments, using…

Encouraging interactive learning and motivating K-5 students, this book presents step-by-step directions, drawings, black line masters, and photographs for 48 thematic classroom projects that use everyday items. The first chapter discusses the history of the "bag ladies." The second chapter describes how to gather, make, and store classroom…

An intervention project by Teacher Corps interns in an elementary school was designed to improve student performance in mathematics. Activities carried out by the interns included: (1) construction of a school facade replica reflecting student achievement of identified math curriculum objectives, kindergarten through sixth grade; (2) preparation…

Noting that developing a strong relationship between the elementary or middle school and the family can help prevent students feelings of alienation and problems in learning, this guidebook provides a resource to help K-8 educators involve the entire family in the educational experience. Chapter 1 of the book outlines the vision for parent…

This action research project evaluated an intervention to motivate elementary students to be more responsible for their learning. Participating was a targeted class of fifth graders in a medium-sized rural community in northern Illinois. The problem of inadequate class participation and percentage of homework completed was documented through…

This study was designed to improve spelling performance of 17 mainstreamed elementary special education students by developing self-regulatory mechanisms and by training the regular classroom teacher and parents in ways to meet the handicapped student's learning needs. A variety of intervention techniques was employed including homework…

This paper demonstrates the use of teacher-made and parent-made instructional games to practice basic skills, as an alternative to traditional homework assignments. The game formats provide mainstreamed mildly handicapped students with the additional practice necessary to achieve mastery, in an environment that is more motivating and allows for…

Effects of aspirations, homework, and scores on standardized tests (endogenous variables) on teachers' grades and effects of exogenous variables of socioeconomic status and gender on endogenous variables were studied for 753 Israeli elementary school students. Complex effects are discussed. Teachers tended to grade students properly, according to…

This action research project evaluated an intervention to improve student motivation, attendance, homework return, and academic growth. Participating were 22 third graders and 53 middle school students in two growing middle class communities in north central Illinois. Inadequate student motivation was documented through data on attendance, student…