Abstracts Category : Other

Replacing Traditional Homework Packets with Activity-Based Homework Backpacks That Require Parent Involvement in the Early Grades

by Gretchen Elm

As the academic demands placed on young learners become greater and greater, it becomes crucial that students master foundational skills early on to meet these challenges. With the support of both teachers and parents, students can master these skills through activities that are both child-friendly and authentic and that occur both in the classroom and home settings. This project created an Interactive Homework Program that provides students and parents with activities and resources that support the skills and concepts they are learning in the classroom. The activities and resources utilize both manipulatives and realia that are either provided in student backpacks or are contained in their home. The backpacks are designed to capture the interests of both students and parents at the 1st grade level and creates challenges that require the two to work together to apply and master 1st grade standards to creative authentic activities to support mastery of those standards. The activities align with the Common Core Standards for 1st grade.Advisors/Committee Members: Wood, Christiane (advisor), Daniels, Erika (committeemember).