Design Your Own Homework, affectionately known as DYOH, allows students to learn something new of their own choosing. DYOH
provides students with academic choice and leads to intrinsic motivation, increased
effort and engagement, and high levels of performance. Fourth graders decide what they want
to learn, how they will learn, and how they will demonstrate their learning. That
means if they have heard something in class and are curious to learn more, this
is an opportunity for them to work independently and get the answers to their questions.
DYOH can be
anything where students actively set a goal,
work through it and learn something new or review something they need help with.
PLAN SHEET:
Students complete the DYOH plan sheet and pass it in on the assigned Thursdays. The plan sheet allows students to plan backward, starting with a goal in mind, and then figuring out the steps and materials needed to meet the goal.
PROJECT:
Students bring in their completed DYOH project on the following Thursday. Students will be presenting their projects to classmates. The presentation may take many forms! Students may bring in the project, take pictures and make a labeled pamphlet or poster, do a google slides or video presentation, along with a variety of other options.
IDEAS:
Students should choose and plan a project or assignment that interests them, or allows them the time for extra practice. They have an idea sheet in their homework binder, along with many ideas around the border of their plan sheet. Some students in the past have:
- made multiplication flash cards and practiced their facts
- created and played a board game
- wrote a letter to a pen-pal
- baked or cooked something new
- practiced keyboarding skills
- built a model out of popsicle sticks, clay, legos, etc.
- composed a song and performed it
- choreographed a dance routine
- visited a museum and created a tour guide
- made something new out of something old
- learned how to play a new game
- learned how to knit or sew
- created a poem
- carved ivory soap
- learned how to count or say phrases in a new language
- taught a pet a new trick
- wrote a movie review
