A: Many students think homework is a form of academic punishment. They will often ask, “What does this have to do with anything?” Thus, it would be important for me to ensure that there is some kind of connection between the homework I assign such that it will help students connect with the real world. In short, students need to understand the “why?” in each homework assignment – and the “Why?” is not something like, “Because I told you so.” In student teaching I tried to help my fourth graders see the relevance of mathematics to their everyday lives. Examples of homework assignments I used included the following: 1) Find 15 items in your house that are rectangles, 2) Select one of your mother’s favorite recipes and double it, 3) Use a menu from a local restaurant and plan a meal for four people within a budget of $50.00, and 4) Locate a chart or graph in the local newspaper and explain what it means in words. I discovered that this “real-world” connection was also a great motivational aid, too.
The interviewer wants to know if you’ve had personal experience in putting all your “book knowledge” into practice. Plan to answer this question with specific examples and specific anecdotes from your pre-service training. Let him or her know that you have “walked the walk.”
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