If you are a teacher who assigns homework – this blog post is a must read!

Do you have that one student who never completes their homework, but then makes the highest score on almost every test? That’s likely because the homework is too easy for the student, and just serves as busy work.

I want to challenge you to differentiate your homework for your high achievers and Gifted students.

By differentiating homework, students will be more engaged and excited about learning. You are also supporting them in reaching their fullest potential, and not just capping them at the grade-level expectation.

Don’t give the student who has already mastered a concept a worksheet that has them practice that concept at the level they’ve already mastered it. That will just lead to frustration, boredom, and likely incomplete homework.

How can I differentiate homework?

• Increase the level of difficulty
  • Provide the student with homework that covers the same topic you are learning in class, but at a higher level (think one grade level up)
• Focus on student’s specific needs.
  • Give the student homework that aligns with a concept they need more practice on.
• Provide an opportunity for logic and/or higher level thinking.
  • Logic puzzles are a great way to engage students and get them to sharpen their thinking skills.
• Provide an outlet for creativity and outside-of-the-box thinking.
  • An often overlooked area when it comes to assigning homework.
  • Give students a STEM style challenge that uses common household objects.
  • Try something open-ended that allows the student to decide how to present their learning.
• Allow for student choice with a choice board.