Homework – DIY Homework

Pre-crastination: Optimizing Breaks

November 19, 2018

Anxiety, Balance, Habits, Homework, Motivation, Precrastination, Procrastination, Productivity, Studying, Systems

While most of us lean towards procrastination there is a subset of the population who are pre-crastinators. These individuals feel a deep desire to finish their work as quickly as possible. For more background information please see this video on the differences between pre-crastination and procrastination. Because pre-crastinators need to finish their work they are willing to start immediately but often rush through their work they need a different type of work routine. Watch the video below to see a cleaver way pre-crastinators can use…

Writing Tips: Starting Your Introduction

November 14, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Homework, Writing

Introductions can be the hardest part of an essay to write. A lot of this difficulty is the result of how we teach academic writing. Writing instruction generally peaks in about 5th or 6th grade when students are still writing creatively. The goals of creative writing and academic are similar but also differ in important ways. Watch the video below to learn how to get unstuck when writing your next essay. Like 0

Homework Help: Math and Science

November 7, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Homework, self-advocacy, Strategic Advantage, Study Groups, Study Skills, Studying, Teams, Technology

Do you ever get stuck on a math or science problem? Do you want to get it done quickly and accurately? In these situations, it can be so frustrating to know how to get help. One of the best resources I have found is Harvey Mudd College’s Free Homework Hotline. This hotline is free and helps students in 4th -12th grades. Watch the video to find out how the homework hotlines can help you get your work done faster with less…

Note Taking Template: Science

August 21, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Homework, Note Taking, Quizzable, Retrieval Practice, Studying

Taking useful science reading notes can drastically improve a student’s achievement. Doing well in science class requires students to understand interconnected concepts, formulas, vocabulary, and applications. This template helps students connect these critical parts and master their material with less stress. This template is designed to support students use cognitive science-based learning strategies. Students will learn how to summarize concepts, incorporate images, form insightful questions, and create real connections. It helps students avoid common time-consuming study methods such as re-read…

Review: My Class Tracker – College

July 2, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Goals, Habits, Homework, Planners, Procrastination, Product Review, Study Skills

Do you need a planner for college? My Class Tracker has introduced a College version of their student planner. The college version reflects the unique needs of college students. The College version of My Class Tracker can help students plan ahead, manage their time, increase their study skills, prevent procrastination, and help them achieve their goals. Like 0

Planners: A Strategic Advantage

June 25, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Anxiety, Balance, Goals, Homework, Organization, Planners, Procrastination, Productivity, Projects, Study Skills, Technology

As I work with students, I have noticed that the use of planners has started to become less frequent. When I was young planners were the go-to organization tool for students. I think that the shift away from paper planners is a result of more assignments being put online. Online systems are a great way for students to track their homework, but they have limitations. There is a strategic advantage to using a planner in conjunction with online systems. Planners…

Hidden Complexity of Technology and Homework

June 18, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Homework, Organization, Productivity, Technology

We are in the middle of understanding how to use technology effectively in education. Integrating technology into teaching is a complex negotiation process because there are so many moving parts and individual needs that must be taken into consideration. Many adults assume that students can navigate all types of technology and platforms with ease. While younger generations may be more comfortable with devices, they do not know how to translate them into effective study strategies. Often developmental milestones and limits to…

The Secret of Getting Things Done

June 11, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Habits, Homework, Motivation, Productivity, Systems

I often hear my students repeat a pervasive myth about achieving in school. They believe that if they want to get more stuff done, they need to find more motivation. As a result, they often spend a lot of time and effort trying to find such a secret and elusive motivator. However, the secret that productive people know is that you can’t count on motivation, because it is unpredictable and fleeting. I teach my students that the key to getting…

Review: My Class Tracker – High School and Middle School

April 30, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Extracurricular Activities, Homework, Planners, Product Review, Study Skills

I am always searching for great planners for my students. It is often difficult to find a good planner that accurately captures the unique scheduling needs of students. After listening to an interview with the designer, of My Class Tracker, I decided to test with a few with of my students. My students who used the planner thought that it was better than the other systems they had been using. They universally felt that it helped them organize their school…

Homework vs. Studying

April 16, 2018

jessicafinnigan

Habits, Homework, Study Skills, Studying, Systems

What is the difference between studying and homework? We often use “homework” and “studying” interchangeably when they discuss school work. I define homework as the compulsory assignments that are given to students by a teacher. Homework is generally graded or checked in class. I define studying as the strategic work that students choose to do on their own to master material. Studying can often look and feel a lot like traditional homework assignments such as reading, creating flashcards, or taking…