Sometimes as teachers we find ourselves so overwhelmed with daily instruction that we forget that our students may also need differentiated homework. But just preparing workshop stations, lab activities, lessons, and all the other things that we do can be so overwhelming that homework assignments become just another thing we have to do. I encourage you to consider what differentiated homework can do for you and your students.
For me and my classroom it has meant that my students are receiving the appropriate challenges at school and at home. It has meant that my gifted learners aren't bored and are coming to school asking questions instead of checking out. They love logic problems and feel special because they know they are being recognized. For my students struggling with the English language it means that I am able to give them the tools they need to study vocabulary in their own time. For my struggling learners it means they aren't driven to tears at night when it comes to homework!
I differentiate my homework assignments for my students so that they continue to receive the right kinds of challenges at home as they would at school. In the digital age that means that I can create a list of assigned online content for my students to view at home like learnzillion videos, funbrain videos, and content from khan academy. I have even linked to quizlet vocabulary practice to help students that need extra vocabulary practice. In my class I have four to six groups working on different goals at one time. I manage this by creating a sheet that states what exactly their goals are and then providing the online content that matches those goals and then I create a list of activities to help them meet those goals using online resources. Additionally, I attach pages of practice that meet that goal.
Does this take me time? Yes. But I think it is worth it in the long run for saving my sanity when running up to six differentiated groups in my classroom. I am able to give my students their packet with resources and activities and be done with handling homework for up to two weeks at a time. Because personally, I hate shuffling papers daily when it comes to homework.
For differentiated math practice I really like math-drills.com, math-aids.com, edhelper, commoncoresheets.com, and the curricular resources that my school provides. I do a lot with my workshop stations that relate to common core justifications, modeling, and so forth. But these resources have been great at helping me provide homework to my students for math. I'm still working to find resources that will help me differentiate Science to more closely match my content and the various reading and writing needs of my students. When I find them I'll do a separate post.
