Lesson 4 – 9: What is Purposeful Practice? – Discussion

[Katrien Vance]

We are shifting our ideas about homework this year, and this question of intentionality is on my mind. I’m looking for extensions, sequels, opportunities to reflect and connect as homework, rather than practice problems. I’m really curious to see if I feel comfortable knowing what students know and can do without traditional homework. I think and hope I will know more about what they understand, rather than what they can parrot.

[Kate Nielsen]

Thank you for the ideas of what Purposeful Practice is.

[Lisa Hudson]

Purposeful practice requires that I choose practice problems with intentionality. Also, learning procedure is not bad (most of us learned by that method) but it needs to come after the concept has been learned. I personally feel that learning the concept helps tremendously with the sense-making of the procedure.

[Andy Neels]

I really liked Kyle’s reference to it NOT being purposeful practice when teachers just read the sticky note from last year (and all the years before) and assign the same questions. We need to know our students and provide practice based on your constant assessment in class. Vertical surfaces have been the way to go for me once I have the problems for the students to figure out for the purposeful practice. Its great to see their work and how they use each others work to advance their own thinking.