How to Get Students to Hand in Homework

Promote the productivity of your students through homework.

"Homework" is one of the least favorite vocabulary words for many young students. After all, the last thing most children want to do after getting home from a long day at school is take out a pencil and begin focusing again. Despite all of this, homework is vital for helping students gain knowledge and develop and answer their biggest questions. Encourage your students to learn more through completing homework assignments.

Instructions

1. Conduct a daily homework check. Before you begin class, take a quick look at all of your students' desks to ensure that they have completed last night's homework. Do not proceed with class until you have checked every student. If you can tell that the homework was done, initial the paper. Provide your students with incentives for always doing homework. For example, you might offer extra credit for never missing an assignment.

2. Stress the importance of student involvement. As a teacher, your job is to get your students passionate about learning. The more passionate a student is about learning, the more enthusiastic she will be about doing homework every day. Promote active learning by asking your students a lot of questions as you teach, organizing group work, talking about problem solving and coming up with imaginative solutions. Do not allow your students to be passive learners.

3. Start a raffle. If a student successfully finishes all of his homework assignments for approximately a month, put his name into a raffle. The raffle prize can be anything from having one day off from homework next month to a small gift, such as a three-ring binder or a set of markers or colored pencils.

4. Consider your students' strongest points. When coming up with homework assignments for your class, ponder the needs of your students collectively and individually. Ask yourself what your students do best. Ask yourself which type of assignments and projects excite your students the most. Then, think about how you can link your students' passions to the classroom subject in a way that makes sense. Cater to your students' needs by coming up with three different assignments, if you have time. Assign outgoing students an oral presentation and shy, bookish students a book report, instead.

5. Discuss what you want. Let your students know how important homework is to your class from the very beginning. At the start of the year, communicate with your students how frequent homework will be and how it relates to the grading process. Avoid shocking your students later on by communicating your expectations as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Students often do not complete homework because they don't understand the assignment. Always explain homework in as precise, clear and simple a manner as possible.

• Motivate your students to try their hardest by complimenting their efforts and offering constructive criticism.

References

• GOOD: How to Get Kids to Do Their Homework
• Education World: Put an End to Homework Horror
• University of Hawaii; Motivating Students; Barbara Gross Davis; September 1999
• Prince George's Community College; A Strategy for Getting Students to Do Their Homework; William Peirce; April 2003
• Scholastic: Winning Ideas for Getting Students to Do Their Homework; October 2008