HOMEWORK AND ASSESSMENT

Every teacher faces the complex task of monitoring and assessing student´s learning and it is common to hear some words that cause frustration in teachers; “I did not do the homework” “I forgot it” “I didn’t have enough time.” Based on that some teacher should think that homework is not necessary but if we consider that necessity of become an independent learner, homework a great tool for helping student s become autonomous.

In order to provide experience, check progress and use a variety of tools teacher should start using homework assignment to prepare students to be successful. For that reason some experts consider homework as an extension of the classroom in which students practice what they have learned (Reinforcement), prepare themselves making a deep analysis of their class and explore materials to better their skills.

Assessment is crucial for succeeding in the classroom because it helps us to reflect the results of our job and through assessment teacher can determine if re-teaching a topic is needed by providing specific explanations. But assessment is not only checking if homework was done or if the student has just filled in the blanks in a book. Assessment goes beyond and by using a variety of input to monitor students progress we can help them to learn how to critically examine their own work.

To optimize the use of homework in our classrooms we must clarify the purpose, amout, expectation, time and the needs that will be covered through homework. We also have to understand that in this process students have responsibilities as well as parents and teachers.

Purposes of Homework

· Practice: Homework may be given to help students practice the skills learned in class. Direct application through repeated practice helps a child retain what's been learned. Class time is often inadequate to learn skills that take practice. For example, math facts and formulas need to be applied several times before they are understood and internalized. Homework gives kids the chance to practice what they learned in class.

· Thinking: Homework gets kids thinking about what they learned when they're outside of school. This gives the brain a chance to continue learning in a different environment.

· Preparation: Homework may be given to help prepare students for testing, or to use new information in a particular situation.

· Extension: Homework may extend learning by adding new information to what was discussed in class.

DAPA
DEVELOPMENT
7:00 am	1. Karla greeted the class.
7:01 am	2. She brainstormed ideas about tennis.
7:01 am	3. Then Victor Hugo shared his experiences about tennis with the class
7:02 am	4. After that Karla gave instructions to her students.
7:03 am	5. She asked the class to from two groups one of men and the other of woman.
7:04 am	6. Then she gave pieces of paper and markers to each group.
7:05 am	7. Each group scrambles the words that were written on the papers.
7:07 am	8. The groups showed each other the papers.
7:07 am	9. Each group had ten seconds to guess the word.
7:08 am	10. The teacher was writing the point on the board.
7:10 am	11. The teacher said who the winner was.
ANALYSING
1. When Karla started the activity she built rapport by asking students what they knew about tennis and according to what I know activating schemata is fundamental to achieve the purposes of the activity.
2. Her instructions were clear and according to what I know clear instructions help teachers to manage the class.
3. She provided the materials that were needed and according to what I know by providing those material we prevent class disruption.
4. Dividing groups in men and woman motivated the class to compete one another and according to what I know motivated students learn better.
5. When boys and girls started arguing she calm down each group and according to what I know teachers must create a respectful atmosphere.
PLAN OF ACTION
In the near future if I use this warm-up I will CCQ students to make sure they have understood my guidelines. Also I will work with mixed groups to avoid sexism in the classroom and prevent discrimination because new curriculums try to promote collaborative learning. I would like to make a sentence with each word in order to give students the use of the word in context.