Homework Strategies for Teaching Students With Learning Disabilities

Five Homework Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities
Research shows that though homework has been widely utilized to provide students additional learning time and develop study and organizational skills, it can lead to frustration among students with learning disabilities. In the same way that students are given accomodations in classroom instruction, they must also be given accomodations as they attempt to do my essays and complete their homework requirements. Here are five research-based strategies that can help all students with learning disabilities get the most from their homework.
1. Give clear and appropriate assignments.
Homework provides an opportunity for students to hone new skills they have learned in class, as well as an assessment tool for retention. And yet, when the homework is too hard, or it takes too long to complete, students may resist doing it, or tune it out altogether, hence losing its value. The following tips ensures that you are able to give clear and appropriate homeworks and can benefit all students, not just those with learning disabilities:
* Make sure that students and parents are aware of your policies concerning timely delivery of assignments, extra credits and available adaptations.
* Create a homework routine as early in the year as possible.
* Explain the assignment clearly and make sure everyone in class understands what is required of them. If necessary, explain how the homework can be completed or provide examples.
* Make sure students are able to complete the homework on their own with little to no help from their parents. One way to do this is to have students begin their homework in class and provide additional instructions as necessary.
* Assignments should be given in small units.
* Give the assignment verbally, but also write down the instructions chalkboard as a reminder. Leave it there until the day it is due.
* Coordinate homeworks with other teachers to prevent overload.
* Relate homework to real life situations that students understand.
* Allow students to work together on their homework.
2. Make homework accomodations.
When homeworks are assigned properly, it has the capacity to increase student involvement and understanding, as well as their motivation to learn. Teachers must make necessary modifications before sending an assignment home. For students with learning disabilities, some of the most common homework accomodations include:
* Providing additional one-to-one assistance to students. Sometimes the teacher must repeat instructions, or give additional class practice before students with learning difficulties are ready to bring their home their assignments. Moreover, students might benefit by providing them with a peer tutor or creating study groups to support their learning.
* Allow students to complete the homework in various formats. For example, students with dyslexia can submit an audiotape of the homework instead of handwriting it.
* Adjust length of assignment, as well as the evaluation standards depending on existing capacities of the student with learning disability. If necessary, provide le...