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Grading 2nd grade math homework.

2nd Grade Homework

• The general rule is 10 minutes of homework for every grade level.  That would be 20 minutes for 2 nd grade.  I don’t include reading at home when I’m talking about homework.  So I expect 20 minutes (or so) of homework and 20 minutes of at-home reading.
• I only assign homework Monday-Thursday (again reading is not included in this).
• No parent assignments.   If it’s a project that parents are going to have to orchestrate it’s not helping the kids.
• The kids should be able to complete it as independently as possible.  I love the idea that parents sit with their children and help them finish their work each night, but with many families at our school that never happens.
• Nothing on the homework is new material.  If I haven’t taught it, it doesn’t belong on a homework page.  The purpose is to reinforce what’s already been taught and to show parents what’s happening in class.  If a child is struggling on the homework (with content that should have been mastered) it’s a sign to parents and me that the child needs some support.
• I don’t do a lot of worksheets in class.  This homework gives my students exposure to the format of many end-of-year test questions.
• If they come to school without their homework, they finish it during morning recess.  They almost always finish it with at least 5 minutes to spare, so I know the assignments don’t take longer than 10-15 minutes.

But what does the research say?  Harris Copper, a psychology and neuroscience professor at Duke University and the nation’s leading expert on homework (what a boring job!), reviewed 100+ homework related studies from the past decade.

His findings?  Well, apparently homework in the elementary grades does little to help student achievement.  Kids who do their homework aren’t necessarily going to outperform their non-homework doing classmates.  In high school, it’s a different scenario, but for the little ones it isn’t that crucial.

“However, we support assigning homework to younger elementary-school children due to its potential long-term developmental impact,” Dr. Cooper says, “It helps elementary students develop proper study skills which, in turn, influence grades.”

And from Cathy Vatterott (former teacher, associate professor of education at the University of Missouri—St Louis, and author of Rethinking Homework) we find that the value of homework is in “reinforcing or practicing skills already learned and giving (teachers) feedback to check for understanding.”

Alright, well I’m not totally out in left field.  So what do I do?

On Monday 3 things go home:

• Timed 1 minute fluency story (more about this here ).  This is the only homework that can’t be done without a parent or older sibling helping.  If it doesn’t come back to school at the end of the week, there is no consequence for the student because this is a parent that has dropped the ball, not the child.
• Spelling practice (read about it here ).  To be completed a little at a time or all on Thursday night.  If this doesn’t come back to school on Friday morning, they must practice their spelling words 2 times during morning recess (it takes less than 5 minutes).
• What we call a “half-sheet” because it’s a half-sheet.  Clever, right?  🙂   It’s a half-sheet of paper with language arts practice on one side and math on the other.  Some of my coworkers send all 3 half-sheets on Monday and give them the week to do it.  I send them one at a time and expect it back the next day.

We do 3 half-sheets a week (or less if it’s a short week).  I don’t send it home on Thursdays so they have time to finish up the spelling practice.

There are 5 main strands for language arts.

The emphasis is on practicing vowel sounds, but there are also some consonant skills.  The sequence of phonics skills aligns with our morning work book practice.

Comprehension

Covering topics from the common core like contractions, plurals, past tense, etc.  I also toss in some sight word review if it will fit on the page.

Sometimes the students are composing the writing.

A lot of times students are asked to edit writing because that’s a big part of our end-of-year test and no matter how much writing we do in-class, the transfer of skills to the test format doesn’t happen automatically.

This strand is pretty eclectic.  There’s practice with compound words and synonyms.  There’s also some word analogies, glossary practice, and collective noun review.  Sometimes they learn new words (using a modified Frayer model graphic organizer).

These 5 language art strands cycle through every 5 days of the homework.  It’s the same with math.

Place Value

This is huge in the 2 nd grade common core for a reason.  A firm understanding of our base-10 system and how to use it to understand and solve problems is essential for more complex mathematics.  ESSENTIAL!

In the homework pages, the sequence of these skills follows the outline from Singapore math and the Learning Trajectories .  Are you familiar with the Trajectories?  A fabulous book!  Assuming you have $45 to spend (!!) it will change the way you teach math.

Anyway, the place value pages build on those ideas.  There’s practice of building numbers within ten.  Working with ones and tens, making numbers with hundreds, and using place value patterns to problem solve.

What you won’t find are any pages with problems like this:

462                                                                                                                                                -209

I debated this for a while.  I used to have problems like that.  But here’s why I decided against it.

The common core says this for 2 nd grade:

Add and subtract within 1000, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction…

It says nothing about using the algorithm.  And while the algorithm (step-by-step adding the ones , regrouping a ten if necessary, adding the tens, etc.) isn’t the enemy, teaching it too early stops the development of deeper thinking.

So when students see problems written like this:

And, more importantly, when parents see problems written like that, the reaction is to follow the algorithm regardless of a student’s readiness or understanding.   I found that when I sent home problems like that, all of the amazing, creative thinking and problem solving perseverance that I’d nurtured like a rare orchid was crushed under the booted foot of, “Look what my mom showed me!”   No longer were they interested in how the solved the problem or why their strategy worked.  They just wanted to follow the steps and be done.

So, no more.

• Recognize what they’ve mastered and
• Figure out how to master the rest.  Strategies, strategies, strategies!  All those great strategies we’ve learned in class (doubles +1, make a ten, etc.) get practiced here.

Problem Solving

Each problem solving page has 3 problems and plenty of work room.  Topics cover addition, subtraction (1 and 2-step problems), comparisons, multiplication, division, money, and writing their own story problems.

Even though there aren’t any 3-digit addition pages, there are plenty of story problems using 2 and 3-digit numbers.  Why?

Well, using larger numbers helps students solidify their base-10 understanding.  If they have to decompose 186 into 100+80+6 in order to figure out a problem, you can bet they’re really thinking about the numbers and how place value can help them find the answer.  Also, in a problem solving format, students are more likely to solve it in a way that makes sense rather than following meaningless steps.

There’s a great article here if you’re curious about why I sometimes have kids write their own math problems.

Students get a chance to practice tally charts, bar graphs, pictographs, line graphs, data tables, and line plots.

I hadn’t done much with line plots before they were in the core.  I really enjoyed making some up for these homework pages.

This is where you’ll find questions about telling time, counting coins, even and odd, greater than/less than, geometry, even more place value, measurement, and fractions.

If you’re interested in learning more about our 2nd grade homework, you can get the table of contents here .  It goes through each day by topic and content.

At our Teachers Pay Teachers shop you can download a 10-page sample (pages 61-70).  That’s a preview of 2 weeks worth of homework!

I hope you find this as useful in your 2nd grade as my team does!  A little bit of review every day pays big dividends in the end!

Note: We have created a 40 page add-on pack of homework for those who have requested more days. Find the add-on pack here. 

• Read more about: 2nd grade , homework , Spiral Review , teachers pay teachers

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2nd Grade Reading Comprehension Passages

Reading passages, questions & answers - second grade.

Below you’ll find 2nd grade reading comprehension passages along with questions and answers and vocabulary activities. These printable, elementary school worksheet activities include short story excerpts,  passages from popular books as well as high-interest information topics.

A Surprise Message

Eli walked to school every day. When the final bell rang, he walked home, too. His trip took him across the playground, past the t-shirt factory, and across the main street. From there, Eli often cut through a vacant lot where a house used to be. The house burned down years…

The Crocodile and the Fly

Crocodile was the biggest animal in the swamp. He spent most of his time in the cool, shady parts of a green pool. When he was hungry, he slithered into the sunshine towards the drinking hole where all the animals gathered to sip the clear water on hot days. Crocodile was…

The Robin and the Cardinal

One April day, after a long, soaking rain, Cardinal poked his head out from under the evergreen branches to see if he would get wet or stay dry. When he didn’t feel any drips, he hopped down to the ground, using the tree branches like a spiral staircase. Cardinal ordinarily…

The Bumblebee

One day, Ella opened her back door and looked out. She wanted to go to play outside, but there was a large bumblebee flying around. He was bigger than her thumb, and very fuzzy. She could hear the humming of his wings as he made large figure-eights across the patio. Carefully,…

The Long Nap

Ella never liked to take naps. When she was a baby, she would stay wide away all afternoon, playing with toys in her crib. Her mother told her that Ella could only sleep when it was dark outside, no matter how dark and thick the curtains were in her room.…

The Big Mistake

Jeremy likes to help his family with chores. He spends time playing with his baby sister while Mom cooks dinner. After supper, he dries the dishes for Dad. But Jeremy’s favorite job is feeding Fletch. Fletch is the family cat. He is brown and black, with tiger stripes across his back.…

The Long Walk

Jimmy loved ice cream. It was his favorite dessert. He wanted to eat ice cream all the time. His parents let him have a small dish each night after dinner, if he ate all of his vegetables. At home, Jimmy usually had chocolate or vanilla. His mother scooped it out…

The Diving Board

Katie was six years old. She was part of a big family. She lived with her mom, dad and three older brothers. Her older brothers all played sports. They rode their bikes around town. Katie wanted to be just like them when she got bigger. One summer day, the boys…

The New Girl at School

One morning Eric’s teacher began the day with an announcement. “Today we have a new student joining our class,” she said. “Please welcome Akiko to second grade and to America.” Everyone said hello. Akiko smiled and looked down at the floor. “Akiko is from Japan. She is still learning English, and…

The Day the Earth Shook

Every night, Caroline ate dinner with her mom, dad, and older brother Graham. When they sat at the table, they each told a story about their day at work or school. Then they each told about something new they had learned that day. Sometimes the stories were serious, and other…

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Unit 1: add and subtract within 20, unit 2: place value, unit 3: add and subtract within 100, unit 4: add and subtract within 1,000, unit 5: money and time, unit 6: measurement, unit 7: data, unit 8: geometry.

• Our Mission

What’s the Right Amount of Homework?

Decades of research show that homework has some benefits, especially for students in middle and high school—but there are risks to assigning too much.

Many teachers and parents believe that homework helps students build study skills and review concepts learned in class. Others see homework as disruptive and unnecessary, leading to burnout and turning kids off to school. Decades of research show that the issue is more nuanced and complex than most people think: Homework is beneficial, but only to a degree. Students in high school gain the most, while younger kids benefit much less.

The National PTA and the National Education Association support the “ 10-minute homework guideline ”—a nightly 10 minutes of homework per grade level. But many teachers and parents are quick to point out that what matters is the quality of the homework assigned and how well it meets students’ needs, not the amount of time spent on it.

The guideline doesn’t account for students who may need to spend more—or less—time on assignments. In class, teachers can make adjustments to support struggling students, but at home, an assignment that takes one student 30 minutes to complete may take another twice as much time—often for reasons beyond their control. And homework can widen the achievement gap, putting students from low-income households and students with learning disabilities at a disadvantage.

However, the 10-minute guideline is useful in setting a limit: When kids spend too much time on homework, there are real consequences to consider.

Small Benefits for Elementary Students

As young children begin school, the focus should be on cultivating a love of learning, and assigning too much homework can undermine that goal. And young students often don’t have the study skills to benefit fully from homework, so it may be a poor use of time (Cooper, 1989 ; Cooper et al., 2006 ; Marzano & Pickering, 2007 ). A more effective activity may be nightly reading, especially if parents are involved. The benefits of reading are clear: If students aren’t proficient readers by the end of third grade, they’re less likely to succeed academically and graduate from high school (Fiester, 2013 ).

For second-grade teacher Jacqueline Fiorentino, the minor benefits of homework did not outweigh the potential drawback of turning young children against school at an early age, so she experimented with dropping mandatory homework. “Something surprising happened: They started doing more work at home,” Fiorentino writes . “This inspiring group of 8-year-olds used their newfound free time to explore subjects and topics of interest to them.” She encouraged her students to read at home and offered optional homework to extend classroom lessons and help them review material.

Moderate Benefits for Middle School Students

As students mature and develop the study skills necessary to delve deeply into a topic—and to retain what they learn—they also benefit more from homework. Nightly assignments can help prepare them for scholarly work, and research shows that homework can have moderate benefits for middle school students (Cooper et al., 2006 ). Recent research also shows that online math homework, which can be designed to adapt to students’ levels of understanding, can significantly boost test scores (Roschelle et al., 2016 ).

There are risks to assigning too much, however: A 2015 study found that when middle school students were assigned more than 90 to 100 minutes of daily homework, their math and science test scores began to decline (Fernández-Alonso, Suárez-Álvarez, & Muñiz, 2015 ). Crossing that upper limit can drain student motivation and focus. The researchers recommend that “homework should present a certain level of challenge or difficulty, without being so challenging that it discourages effort.” Teachers should avoid low-effort, repetitive assignments, and assign homework “with the aim of instilling work habits and promoting autonomous, self-directed learning.”

In other words, it’s the quality of homework that matters, not the quantity. Brian Sztabnik, a veteran middle and high school English teacher, suggests that teachers take a step back and ask themselves these five questions :

• How long will it take to complete?
• Have all learners been considered?
• Will an assignment encourage future success?
• Will an assignment place material in a context the classroom cannot?
• Does an assignment offer support when a teacher is not there?

More Benefits for High School Students, but Risks as Well

By the time they reach high school, students should be well on their way to becoming independent learners, so homework does provide a boost to learning at this age, as long as it isn’t overwhelming (Cooper et al., 2006 ; Marzano & Pickering, 2007 ). When students spend too much time on homework—more than two hours each night—it takes up valuable time to rest and spend time with family and friends. A 2013 study found that high school students can experience serious mental and physical health problems, from higher stress levels to sleep deprivation, when assigned too much homework (Galloway, Conner, & Pope, 2013 ).

Homework in high school should always relate to the lesson and be doable without any assistance, and feedback should be clear and explicit.

Teachers should also keep in mind that not all students have equal opportunities to finish their homework at home, so incomplete homework may not be a true reflection of their learning—it may be more a result of issues they face outside of school. They may be hindered by issues such as lack of a quiet space at home, resources such as a computer or broadband connectivity, or parental support (OECD, 2014 ). In such cases, giving low homework scores may be unfair.

Since the quantities of time discussed here are totals, teachers in middle and high school should be aware of how much homework other teachers are assigning. It may seem reasonable to assign 30 minutes of daily homework, but across six subjects, that’s three hours—far above a reasonable amount even for a high school senior. Psychologist Maurice Elias sees this as a common mistake: Individual teachers create homework policies that in aggregate can overwhelm students. He suggests that teachers work together to develop a school-wide homework policy and make it a key topic of back-to-school night and the first parent-teacher conferences of the school year.

Parents Play a Key Role

Homework can be a powerful tool to help parents become more involved in their child’s learning (Walker et al., 2004 ). It can provide insights into a child’s strengths and interests, and can also encourage conversations about a child’s life at school. If a parent has positive attitudes toward homework, their children are more likely to share those same values, promoting academic success.

But it’s also possible for parents to be overbearing, putting too much emphasis on test scores or grades, which can be disruptive for children (Madjar, Shklar, & Moshe, 2015 ). Parents should avoid being overly intrusive or controlling—students report feeling less motivated to learn when they don’t have enough space and autonomy to do their homework (Orkin, May, & Wolf, 2017 ; Patall, Cooper, & Robinson, 2008 ; Silinskas & Kikas, 2017 ). So while homework can encourage parents to be more involved with their kids, it’s important to not make it a source of conflict.

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Get the Homework Help You Need

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FREE 2024-25 Printable Teacher Calendar! 🗓️

80+ Awesome Websites for Teaching and Learning Math in 2023

Bookmark this list STAT!

The internet is full of incredible new ways to teach and learn math, from games and videos to lessons and even complete curricula. Teachers, students, and parents can all benefit from these online learning resources. This list of the best math websites has options for every skill level, from learning to count to advanced math like calculus. You’re bound to find a new favorite!

• Comprehensive Math Programs
• Interactive Tools to Use in Instruction
• Games and Activities for Students
• Resources for Teachers

These are some of the best math websites that provide complete standards-based math curricula. Try them if you’re looking for a new way to teach math at your school. These can be good choices for homeschoolers too.

The littlest learners will benefit from ABCMouse’s complete online curriculum, including math. The progressive program builds on the math skills kids need to master. (Grades pre-K–2; monthly and annual subscriptions available)

Adventure Academy

From the same company that created ABCMouse, Adventure Academy is geared toward older elementary kids. It offers programs in math, language arts, science, and social studies. (Grades 3–8; monthly and annual subscriptions available)

Art of Problem Solving

Along with textbooks, Art of Problem Solving has a stable of robust online resources. You’ll find videos, math problems from math contests, and online classes. (Grades 5–12; pricing varies by program)

Buzzmath is one of the best math websites for middle schoolers. It helps them practice their math skills with high-quality problems, gives immediate and detailed feedback, and lets students progress at their own pace. Randomly generated values let students retry problems to obtain mastery. Teachers also receive detailed results that help them guide and monitor student progress. (Grades 1–9; free demo with subscription plans for students and families)

Make free detailed charts of all kinds, including bar graphs, pie charts, scatter plots, and more. (K–12; free)

Corbettmaths

This resource from England provides math videos with associated math practice questions and worksheets. It’s basic, but it’s a good way to get no-cost practice. (Grades K–12; free)

This National Science Foundation–funded program helps students strengthen math skills. Students will learn to solve problems and explain their thinking using mathematician George Polya’s four-step approach. (Grades K–12; priced per teacher or school, with free trial available)

Desmos Math

A blend of paper and technology puts student ideas at the center of learning. Lessons pose problems that invite a variety of approaches, engaging kids more fully. (Grades 6–8; contact them for pricing)

An adaptive learning platform designed to complement classroom instruction and deliver results. Includes resources for teachers, student data reports, and instructive insights. (Grades K–8; home users can sign up for individual or family subscriptions, schools pay per student or school)

[contextly_auto_sidebar]

Take courses online from universities across the world, in math subjects ranging from statistics to calculus and many other options. (Grades 9+; audit courses are free, while courses for credit vary in cost)

Effortless Math

With dozens of online math courses, along with puzzles, worksheets, tips, and e-books, Effortless Math is a one-stop shop for math needs. (Grades K–12; cost varies by item)

eMathInstruction

This site provides e-textbooks, answer keys, video lessons, and printables. Topics include Algebra 1 and 2, geometry, and trigonometry. (Grades 6–12; free lessons plans, homework sets, and videos; paid subscriptions include answer keys, assessments, and more)

First in Math

We love the friendly competition and game-based content offered by First in Math. Kids gain skills practice and fluency as they play games targeted toward fact proficiency and logical thinking. (Grades K–8; subscriptions available for schools and parents, with 45-day free trial)

Freckle Education

This site allows kids to practice math at their own level and pace. It has more than 30,000 math questions, starting with a diagnostic that assigns material at just the right level. Freckles also features lessons, assessments, and reports for teachers. (Grades K–12; basic use is free for teachers; premium subscriptions available)

Illuminations

This site from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) features complete lesson plans, mobile games for students, interactive activities, and brainteasers. (Grades pre-K–12; free)

Illustrative Mathematics

Get high-quality educational resources for teachers and students. Excellent math tasks, videos, lesson plans, and problem-based curriculum modules. (Grades K–12; free)

Imagine Learning

Formerly known as Edgenuity, Imagine Learning offers several online digital curricula for primary or supplementary instruction. Give students the support they need exactly when they need it. (Grades pre-K–12; priced per subject, per student)

Istation makes personalized learning easy with computer-adaptive instruction, assessments, personalized data profiles, and teacher resources. Includes digital lessons and face-to-face teaching strategies. (Grades pre-K–8; priced per student)

Make math about more than numbers with engaging items, real-world scenarios, and unlimited questions. Teachers choose the strand and then set up students to work independently. (Grades pre-K–12; free 30-day trial, pricing is per classroom or site)

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is on a mission to give a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. Their personalized learning resources make them one of the best math websites available for all ages, in a huge array of subjects. (Grades K–12; free)

Here’s an online learning space that is engaging, supportive, and designed to get kids interested in math. (Grades K–12; yearly subscription required; school and family pricing available)

MIND Research Institute

Through ongoing research, MIND Research Institute continues to investigate key questions about learning, mathematics, and how the brain works. ST Math is their pre-K–8 visual instructional program, helping teachers engage kids more deeply in math learning. (Grades pre-K–8; pricing based on total school enrollment)

This award-winning program finds and fixes learning gaps with the power of personalized learning. The three-pronged approach features personalized learning, pinpoint assessments, and an interactive classroom. (Grades K–8; pricing per student, school, and district)

Origo Education

Stepping Stones 2.0 from Origo is a unique and comprehensive curriculum that combines print and digital materials. It features problem-solving activities, strategies, and practice. (Grades pre-K–6; price varies by program)

PowerMyLearning

This organization is geared toward students, teachers, and families in low-income communities. The program features school workshops, instructional coaching, and professional learning communities. (Grades K–12; try limited Family Playlists for free, request consultation for pricing)

Prodigy Math

Join the 1 million teachers already using Prodigy Math in their classrooms at no cost. This fun and engaging curriculum-aligned game lets students engage in a fun wizarding world that motivates them to practice more math than ever. It contains 1,500+ standard-aligned skills. Plus you can track student progress with a teacher dashboard that provides instant feedback on areas of progress with no grading necessary. (Grades 1–8; free for teachers, monthly memberships available for parents)

Enter an interactive, game-based learning world that motivates kids through rewards. Features include a daily challenge, step-by-step lessons, and parent connections. (Grades K–5; 30-day free trial, then monthly subscription)

SplashLearn

Boost confidence, increase scores, and get ahead. Fun for enrichment or regular practice. (Grades K–5; free for teachers and schools, monthly subscriptions available for parents)

Math games make learning fun! Focus on specific skills, target interventions, and make assessment easy. (Grades K–8; teachers can try six games for free, subscription unlocks more games and features)

Tang Math strives to provide unparalleled math lessons for students as well as professional development for in-service teachers. Find games and puzzles, plus other resources like free downloads, worksheets/word problems, and math centers. (Grades K–5; free)

Woot Math offers adaptive practice for teaching rational numbers and related topics, such as fractions, decimals, and ratios. (Grades 3–7; free tier for teachers, additional features available for extra cost)

Personalized math curriculum that includes digital lessons and small-group instruction. Also has online modules, workbooks and answer keys, and professional development. (Grades K–5; free for individual teachers and classrooms)

These are some of the best math websites that offer engaging videos and tools to use in your daily math instruction.

Engaging animated learning videos, games, quizzes, and activities to encourage kids on their unique learning path. (Grades pre-K–8; teacher, school, and district pricing available, as well as parent or homeschool options)

Teachers prep an assignment, students work on their devices, everybody gives feedback, and the teacher sees it all! (Grades K–12; free basic plan, Pro accounts unlock more features)

A website that allows teachers to assign math practice content to their students. Students get immediate feedback as they complete the problems. (Middle school+; free, with premium school and district plans available)

Desmos Graphing Calculator

An online graphing calculator that students can use for free. Includes a teacher-centric activity builder for creating digital math activities. (Grades 9–12; free)

Save money by using virtual math manipulatives like geoboards, base-10 blocks, 10-frames, pattern blocks, and more. (Grades K–12; free)

An award-winning series of math apps that harness the power of digital tools to create a better, deeper, more fun learning experience. Blogs such as “Making Math Social” and “Saying No to Math Anxiety” are included as resources for teachers and parents. (Grades K–6; priced per app, with free trials for teachers and bulk pricing for schools)

Flocabulary

Use hip-hop to teach math! Flocabulary offers songs, activities, and videos. (Grades K–12; teacher, school, and district pricing available)

Upload your own materials or build them from scratch, find something pre-made, act on live responses, and track student growth over time. (Grades K–12; free, premium subscription unlocks additional features)

Another graphing calculator for functions, geometry, algebra, calculus, statistics, and 3D math, along with a variety of math resources. (Grades 9–12; free)

You know it. Your kids love it. Why not use it to teach math? Engage your students with this game-based classroom-response system played by the whole class in real time. Multiple-choice questions are projected on the screen, then students answer with their smartphone, tablet, or computer. (Grades K–12; free, Kahoot+ AccessPass subscription offers premium content)

Math Central

Run by the University of Regina in Canada, this site offers free resources for math teachers and their students, including a database where users can search for the answers to math questions. Their “Mathematics With a Human Face” page includes information about careers in mathematics as well as profiles of mathematicians. (Grades K–12; free)

Teachers know that one of the best ways to make sure learning sticks is through song. Numberock features ad-free music videos of songs about math topics, like fractions, money, and integers, produced by an Emmy Award–winning studio. Numberock also has anchor charts, worksheets, comics, games, and more. (Grades K–5; limited free videos, monthly subscription offers six-month free trial)

Transform presentations into classroom conversations with Pear Deck for Google Slides. Effortlessly build engaging instructional content, formative assessments, and interactive questions. (Grades K–12; basic access is free, premium subscriptions unlock more features)

Take a photo of an equation, and this site will explain how to solve it, step-by-step. It even explains different options to get to the answer. Students can use it for help with homework, and teachers can incorporate it in their own lesson plans. (Grades 6+, free with premium options available)

TeacherTube

Think of this site like YouTube but specifically for teachers and schools. Find videos created by other teachers, and upload your own to share. (Grades K–12; free)

These are some of the best interactive math websites and provide students with instruction and independent practice.

Arithmetic Four

Two users play a game in which each player tries to connect four game pieces in a row (like Connect 4). The players answer math questions to connect the pieces. The teacher chooses how much time each player has to answer, the level of difficulty, and the type of math problem. (Grades 2–8; free)

Coolmath Games

Yes, math games can be cool! Check out the hundreds of games on this site and on Coolmath4kids . (Grades K–12; free with ads, premium subscription removes ads and provides extra features)

Figure This!

Figure This is a site designed to encourage families to practice math together. It includes fun and engaging math games and high-quality challenges. It even offers challenges in Spanish. (Grades 6–8; free)

Funbrain has been helping students learn key math concepts and develop crucial skills since 1997. Students can choose from a slew of games. Why is it one of the best math websites? It’s all free! (Grades pre-K–8; free)

Get the Math

Get the Math is about algebra in the real world. Students see how professionals use math in music, fashion, video games, restaurants, basketball, and special effects. Then take on interactive challenges related to those careers. (Grades 6–12; free)

Your students will love fun math games like Speed Math Deluxe, Mystery Math, Place Value Game, and more. (Grades 3–12; free)

A popular game-based site for online math-learning resources. It covers algebra, geometry, statistics, and more. (Grades K–12; schools can contact them for a quote; parents pay per child)

Math Game Time

There are dozens of games to explore here, organized by grade and subject. (Grades pre-K–7; free)

MATHHelp.com

In-depth lessons with videos, guided practice, interactive self-tests, and more. (Grades 5–12; monthly or yearly subscription required)

Math Is Fun

Find general information along with games and practice for a variety of math subjects, including geometry, algebra, calculus, physics, and more. (Grades 6–12; free)

Math Playground

More than 425 math games, logic puzzles, and brain workouts for students to practice their math skills. (Grades 1–6; free with ads, Premium removes ads and provides extra features)

Most learners do best when they can see a problem walk-through, step-by-step. This site features multiple example problems, with walk-throughs by three separate instructors (including one in Spanish). They offer some basic math but are focused on advanced subjects from algebra on up. (Grades 6–12; free)

Thousands of original math games, workshops, and practice modules, as well as math printables. (Grades 1–6; monthly or yearly subscription required)

Multiplication.com

Need to master your multiplication facts? This is the site to try! Fun games and memory-building strategies will help students tackle this key skill. (Grades 2–6; free, with Premium membership available for extra features)

Numeracy Ninjas

This is a free intervention tool designed to fill gaps in students’ mental calculation skills and empower them with number fluency. Students can earn ninja belts of different colors for their skill level. (Grades 2–8; free)

PBS Math Club

From PBS Learning Media, this is one of the best math websites for middle schoolers. They love this entertaining video blog. Not only does each episode cover Common Core Standards, it makes math learning culturally relevant with pop-culture references. (Grades 6–9; free)

Students can create study flash cards, play educational games, practice skills, collaborate with other students, and more. (Grades 5–12; free, QuizletPlus provides additional features)

Another resource to help students build fact fluency. Each game is tailored to students’ ability levels. (Grades 2–6; school and home licenses available)

Sheppard Software

Tons of fun and educational online math games, from basic operations to algebra and geometry. (Grades K–6; free)

Simple math test activities for teachers and students, from beginning math operations to calculus. You set the skill level, number of problems, and time limit. A report, which tallies right and wrong answers, is provided after each quiz. (Grades 3–12; free)

Toy Theater

How would your students like to learn multiplication while shooting hoops? They can do that and more at Toy Theater, which teaches early math concepts through game-based learning. (Grades K–5; free)

Wolfram MathWorld

Upper-level math students will appreciate the no-frills information that’s easy to find on this site. Get overviews and see examples of advanced math subjects. (High school+; free)

XtraMath is like a daily math vitamin. An interactive online tool that helps students practice and master basic arithmetic facts, it’s quick and easy to use. Weekly emails provide progress reports for teachers and parents. (Grades K–8; free, with premium licenses that offer additional features)

These are some of the best math websites that provide lesson-planning resources and professional-development materials.

Get differentiated, standards-aligned math practice problems that you can generate, assign, and evaluate online. (Grades 6–8; limited free plan with paid plans available)

Casio has a lot more to offer math teachers besides calculators. Their Worldwide Education Site is packed with free resources like worksheets, activities, teaching videos, how-to videos, font sets, and software options.

Citizen Math

Formerly known as Mathalicious, this site provides supplemental math lessons. Experience an immersive, participatory approach that makes learning and teaching more rewarding. (Grades 6–12; monthly or yearly subscriptions available)

Common Core Sheets

Find math worksheets for just about any area of study. Use them for planning lessons, review, and independent work. (Grades K–6; free)

Education.com

Here’s a reliable site for worksheets, games, and even lessons plans. They cover a variety of subjects, with lots of math options to choose from. (Grades K–8; limited free access, monthly subscriptions unlock all content)

This platform allows teachers to create technology-enhanced online math assessments from a huge question bank. (Grades K–12; free teacher accounts)

Kuta Software

For teachers of pre-algebra through calculus. Create the math worksheets you need, exactly how you want them, in minutes. You can also create customizable homework, quizzes, and tests. (Grades 8–12; free two-week trial, then single-user and site licenses available)

Mashup Math

A creative solution that aims to revive students’ passion and interest in math. Mashup Math has a library of 100+ math video lessons as well as a YouTube channel that features new math video lessons every week. A free e-book of math challenges is also available. (Grades K–8; free)

Math-Aids.com

Dynamically created math worksheets for students, teachers, and parents. (Grades K–10; free with ads, paid membership removes ads)

MathsBot.com

Tools for math teachers, including bell ringers and drills, math tools and manipulatives, question generators, printables, and puzzles. (Grades K–12; free with ads)

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives (NLVM)

This National Science Foundation–supported project provides a large library of uniquely interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives and concept tutorials for math instruction. (Grades K–12; free)

TeacherMade

Convert all of your paper assignments, quizzes, homework, etc., into digital activities delivered online. (Grades K–12; free basic version, Pro plan adds multiple extra features)

TeacherVision

For a very affordable monthly fee, gain access to thousands of resources created by teachers like you. They cover every topic and every grade level. (Grades K–12; monthly subscription)

Topmarks is one of the best U.K.-based math websites that provides a database of resources for teachers as well as online learning games for students. (Grades pre-K–8; free)

Varsity Learning

The Varsity Learning Online Math Management System is one of the best math websites because it provides course templates, assignments, an online teacher’s assistant, and thousands of practice problems so you can get organized, save assignments and videos on the web, share resources, and incorporate technology in your classroom. (Grades: 7–12; free)

Virtual Nerd

More than 1,500 video lessons ranging from middle-grade math through Algebra 2. (Grades 6–12; free)

What’s on your list of the best math websites? Come share your ideas in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, our favorite websites for teaching kids and teens to code ..

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The Big List of Free Teaching Resources for All Ages and Subjects in 2023

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to do homework: 15 expert tips and tricks.

Coursework/GPA

Everyone struggles with homework sometimes, but if getting your homework done has become a chronic issue for you, then you may need a little extra help. That’s why we’ve written this article all about how to do homework. Once you’re finished reading it, you’ll know how to do homework (and have tons of new ways to motivate yourself to do homework)!

We’ve broken this article down into a few major sections. You’ll find:

• A diagnostic test to help you figure out why you’re struggling with homework
• A discussion of the four major homework problems students face, along with expert tips for addressing them
• A bonus section with tips for how to do homework fast

By the end of this article, you’ll be prepared to tackle whatever homework assignments your teachers throw at you .

So let’s get started!

How to Do Homework: Figure Out Your Struggles 

Sometimes it feels like everything is standing between you and getting your homework done. But the truth is, most people only have one or two major roadblocks that are keeping them from getting their homework done well and on time. 

The best way to figure out how to get motivated to do homework starts with pinpointing the issues that are affecting your ability to get your assignments done. That’s why we’ve developed a short quiz to help you identify the areas where you’re struggling. 

Take the quiz below and record your answers on your phone or on a scrap piece of paper. Keep in mind there are no wrong answers! 

1. You’ve just been assigned an essay in your English class that’s due at the end of the week. What’s the first thing you do?

A. Keep it in mind, even though you won’t start it until the day before it’s due  B. Open up your planner. You’ve got to figure out when you’ll write your paper since you have band practice, a speech tournament, and your little sister’s dance recital this week, too.  C. Groan out loud. Another essay? You could barely get yourself to write the last one!  D. Start thinking about your essay topic, which makes you think about your art project that’s due the same day, which reminds you that your favorite artist might have just posted to Instagram...so you better check your feed right now. 

2. Your mom asked you to pick up your room before she gets home from work. You’ve just gotten home from school. You decide you’ll tackle your chores: 

A. Five minutes before your mom walks through the front door. As long as it gets done, who cares when you start?  B. As soon as you get home from your shift at the local grocery store.  C. After you give yourself a 15-minute pep talk about how you need to get to work.  D. You won’t get it done. Between texts from your friends, trying to watch your favorite Netflix show, and playing with your dog, you just lost track of time! 

3. You’ve signed up to wash dogs at the Humane Society to help earn money for your senior class trip. You: 

A. Show up ten minutes late. You put off leaving your house until the last minute, then got stuck in unexpected traffic on the way to the shelter.  B. Have to call and cancel at the last minute. You forgot you’d already agreed to babysit your cousin and bake cupcakes for tomorrow’s bake sale.  C. Actually arrive fifteen minutes early with extra brushes and bandanas you picked up at the store. You’re passionate about animals, so you’re excited to help out! D. Show up on time, but only get three dogs washed. You couldn’t help it: you just kept getting distracted by how cute they were!

4. You have an hour of downtime, so you decide you’re going to watch an episode of The Great British Baking Show. You: 

A. Scroll through your social media feeds for twenty minutes before hitting play, which means you’re not able to finish the whole episode. Ugh! You really wanted to see who was sent home!  B. Watch fifteen minutes until you remember you’re supposed to pick up your sister from band practice before heading to your part-time job. No GBBO for you!  C. You finish one episode, then decide to watch another even though you’ve got SAT studying to do. It’s just more fun to watch people make scones.  D. Start the episode, but only catch bits and pieces of it because you’re reading Twitter, cleaning out your backpack, and eating a snack at the same time.

5. Your teacher asks you to stay after class because you’ve missed turning in two homework assignments in a row. When she asks you what’s wrong, you say: 

A. You planned to do your assignments during lunch, but you ran out of time. You decided it would be better to turn in nothing at all than submit unfinished work.  B. You really wanted to get the assignments done, but between your extracurriculars, family commitments, and your part-time job, your homework fell through the cracks.  C. You have a hard time psyching yourself to tackle the assignments. You just can’t seem to find the motivation to work on them once you get home.  D. You tried to do them, but you had a hard time focusing. By the time you realized you hadn’t gotten anything done, it was already time to turn them in. 

Like we said earlier, there are no right or wrong answers to this quiz (though your results will be better if you answered as honestly as possible). Here’s how your answers break down: 

• If your answers were mostly As, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is procrastination. 
• If your answers were mostly Bs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is time management. 
• If your answers were mostly Cs, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is motivation. 
• If your answers were mostly Ds, then your biggest struggle with doing homework is getting distracted. 

Now that you’ve identified why you’re having a hard time getting your homework done, we can help you figure out how to fix it! Scroll down to find your core problem area to learn more about how you can start to address it. 

And one more thing: you’re really struggling with homework, it’s a good idea to read through every section below. You may find some additional tips that will help make homework less intimidating. 

How to Do Homework When You’re a Procrastinator  

Merriam Webster defines “procrastinate” as “to put off intentionally and habitually.” In other words, procrastination is when you choose to do something at the last minute on a regular basis. If you’ve ever found yourself pulling an all-nighter, trying to finish an assignment between periods, or sprinting to turn in a paper minutes before a deadline, you’ve experienced the effects of procrastination. 

If you’re a chronic procrastinator, you’re in good company. In fact, one study found that 70% to 95% of undergraduate students procrastinate when it comes to doing their homework. Unfortunately, procrastination can negatively impact your grades. Researchers have found that procrastination can lower your grade on an assignment by as much as five points ...which might not sound serious until you realize that can mean the difference between a B- and a C+. 

Procrastination can also negatively affect your health by increasing your stress levels , which can lead to other health conditions like insomnia, a weakened immune system, and even heart conditions. Getting a handle on procrastination can not only improve your grades, it can make you feel better, too! 

The big thing to understand about procrastination is that it’s not the result of laziness. Laziness is defined as being “disinclined to activity or exertion.” In other words, being lazy is all about doing nothing. But a s this Psychology Today article explains , procrastinators don’t put things off because they don’t want to work. Instead, procrastinators tend to postpone tasks they don’t want to do in favor of tasks that they perceive as either more important or more fun. Put another way, procrastinators want to do things...as long as it’s not their homework! 

3 Tips f or Conquering Procrastination 

Because putting off doing homework is a common problem, there are lots of good tactics for addressing procrastination. Keep reading for our three expert tips that will get your homework habits back on track in no time. 

#1: Create a Reward System

Like we mentioned earlier, procrastination happens when you prioritize other activities over getting your homework done. Many times, this happens because homework...well, just isn’t enjoyable. But you can add some fun back into the process by rewarding yourself for getting your work done. 

Here’s what we mean: let’s say you decide that every time you get your homework done before the day it’s due, you’ll give yourself a point. For every five points you earn, you’ll treat yourself to your favorite dessert: a chocolate cupcake! Now you have an extra (delicious!) incentive to motivate you to leave procrastination in the dust. 

If you’re not into cupcakes, don’t worry. Your reward can be anything that motivates you . Maybe it’s hanging out with your best friend or an extra ten minutes of video game time. As long as you’re choosing something that makes homework worth doing, you’ll be successful. 

#2: Have a Homework Accountability Partner 

If you’re having trouble getting yourself to start your homework ahead of time, it may be a good idea to call in reinforcements . Find a friend or classmate you can trust and explain to them that you’re trying to change your homework habits. Ask them if they’d be willing to text you to make sure you’re doing your homework and check in with you once a week to see if you’re meeting your anti-procrastination goals. 

Sharing your goals can make them feel more real, and an accountability partner can help hold you responsible for your decisions. For example, let’s say you’re tempted to put off your science lab write-up until the morning before it’s due. But you know that your accountability partner is going to text you about it tomorrow...and you don’t want to fess up that you haven’t started your assignment. A homework accountability partner can give you the extra support and incentive you need to keep your homework habits on track. 

#3: Create Your Own Due Dates 

If you’re a life-long procrastinator, you might find that changing the habit is harder than you expected. In that case, you might try using procrastination to your advantage! If you just can’t seem to stop doing your work at the last minute, try setting your own due dates for assignments that range from a day to a week before the assignment is actually due. 

Here’s what we mean. Let’s say you have a math worksheet that’s been assigned on Tuesday and is due on Friday. In your planner, you can write down the due date as Thursday instead. You may still put off your homework assignment until the last minute...but in this case, the “last minute” is a day before the assignment’s real due date . This little hack can trick your procrastination-addicted brain into planning ahead! 

If you feel like Kevin Hart in this meme, then our tips for doing homework when you're busy are for you. 

How to Do Homework When You’re too Busy

If you’re aiming to go to a top-tier college , you’re going to have a full plate. Because college admissions is getting more competitive, it’s important that you’re maintaining your grades , studying hard for your standardized tests , and participating in extracurriculars so your application stands out. A packed schedule can get even more hectic once you add family obligations or a part-time job to the mix. 

If you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions at once, you’re not alone. Recent research has found that stress—and more severe stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression— are a major problem for high school students . In fact, one study from the American Psychological Association found that during the school year, students’ stress levels are higher than those of the adults around them. 

For students, homework is a major contributor to their overall stress levels . Many high schoolers have multiple hours of homework every night , and figuring out how to fit it into an already-packed schedule can seem impossible. 

3 Tips for Fitting Homework Into Your Busy Schedule

While it might feel like you have literally no time left in your schedule, there are still ways to make sure you’re able to get your homework done and meet your other commitments. Here are our expert homework tips for even the busiest of students. 

#1: Make a Prioritized To-Do List 

You probably already have a to-do list to keep yourself on track. The next step is to prioritize the items on your to-do list so you can see what items need your attention right away. 

Here’s how it works: at the beginning of each day, sit down and make a list of all the items you need to get done before you go to bed. This includes your homework, but it should also take into account any practices, chores, events, or job shifts you may have. Once you get everything listed out, it’s time to prioritize them using the labels A, B, and C. Here’s what those labels mean:

• A Tasks : tasks that have to get done—like showing up at work or turning in an assignment—get an A. 
• B Tasks : these are tasks that you would like to get done by the end of the day but aren’t as time sensitive. For example, studying for a test you have next week could be a B-level task. It’s still important, but it doesn’t have to be done right away.
• C Tasks: these are tasks that aren’t very important and/or have no real consequences if you don’t get them done immediately. For instance, if you’re hoping to clean out your closet but it’s not an assigned chore from your parents, you could label that to-do item with a C.

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you visualize which items need your immediate attention, and which items you can leave for later. A prioritized to-do list ensures that you’re spending your time efficiently and effectively, which helps you make room in your schedule for homework. So even though you might really want to start making decorations for Homecoming (a B task), you’ll know that finishing your reading log (an A task) is more important. 

#2: Use a Planner With Time Labels

Your planner is probably packed with notes, events, and assignments already. (And if you’re not using a planner, it’s time to start!) But planners can do more for you than just remind you when an assignment is due. If you’re using a planner with time labels, it can help you visualize how you need to spend your day.

A planner with time labels breaks your day down into chunks, and you assign tasks to each chunk of time. For example, you can make a note of your class schedule with assignments, block out time to study, and make sure you know when you need to be at practice. Once you know which tasks take priority, you can add them to any empty spaces in your day. 

Planning out how you spend your time not only helps you use it wisely, it can help you feel less overwhelmed, too . We’re big fans of planners that include a task list ( like this one ) or have room for notes ( like this one ). 

#3: Set Reminders on Your Phone 

If you need a little extra nudge to make sure you’re getting your homework done on time, it’s a good idea to set some reminders on your phone. You don’t need a fancy app, either. You can use your alarm app to have it go off at specific times throughout the day to remind you to do your homework. This works especially well if you have a set homework time scheduled. So if you’ve decided you’re doing homework at 6:00 pm, you can set an alarm to remind you to bust out your books and get to work. 

If you use your phone as your planner, you may have the option to add alerts, emails, or notifications to scheduled events . Many calendar apps, including the one that comes with your phone, have built-in reminders that you can customize to meet your needs. So if you block off time to do your homework from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, you can set a reminder that will pop up on your phone when it’s time to get started. 

This dog isn't judging your lack of motivation...but your teacher might. Keep reading for tips to help you motivate yourself to do your homework.

How to Do Homework When You’re Unmotivated 

At first glance, it may seem like procrastination and being unmotivated are the same thing. After all, both of these issues usually result in you putting off your homework until the very last minute. 

But there’s one key difference: many procrastinators are working, they’re just prioritizing work differently. They know they’re going to start their homework...they’re just going to do it later. 

Conversely, people who are unmotivated to do homework just can’t find the willpower to tackle their assignments. Procrastinators know they’ll at least attempt the homework at the last minute, whereas people who are unmotivated struggle with convincing themselves to do it at a ll. For procrastinators, the stress comes from the inevitable time crunch. For unmotivated people, the stress comes from trying to convince themselves to do something they don’t want to do in the first place. 

Here are some common reasons students are unmotivated in doing homework : 

• Assignments are too easy, too hard, or seemingly pointless 
• Students aren’t interested in (or passionate about) the subject matter
• Students are intimidated by the work and/or feels like they don’t understand the assignment 
• Homework isn’t fun, and students would rather spend their time on things that they enjoy 

To sum it up: people who lack motivation to do their homework are more likely to not do it at all, or to spend more time worrying about doing their homework than...well, actually doing it.

3 Tips for How to Get Motivated to Do Homework

The key to getting homework done when you’re unmotivated is to figure out what does motivate you, then apply those things to homework. It sounds tricky...but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it! Here are our three expert tips for motivating yourself to do your homework. 

#1: Use Incremental Incentives

When you’re not motivated, it’s important to give yourself small rewards to stay focused on finishing the task at hand. The trick is to keep the incentives small and to reward yourself often. For example, maybe you’re reading a good book in your free time. For every ten minutes you spend on your homework, you get to read five pages of your book. Like we mentioned earlier, make sure you’re choosing a reward that works for you! 

So why does this technique work? Using small rewards more often allows you to experience small wins for getting your work done. Every time you make it to one of your tiny reward points, you get to celebrate your success, which gives your brain a boost of dopamine . Dopamine helps you stay motivated and also creates a feeling of satisfaction when you complete your homework !  

#2: Form a Homework Group 

If you’re having trouble motivating yourself, it’s okay to turn to others for support. Creating a homework group can help with this. Bring together a group of your friends or classmates, and pick one time a week where you meet and work on homework together. You don’t have to be in the same class, or even taking the same subjects— the goal is to encourage one another to start (and finish!) your assignments. 

Another added benefit of a homework group is that you can help one another if you’re struggling to understand the material covered in your classes. This is especially helpful if your lack of motivation comes from being intimidated by your assignments. Asking your friends for help may feel less scary than talking to your teacher...and once you get a handle on the material, your homework may become less frightening, too. 

#3: Change Up Your Environment 

If you find that you’re totally unmotivated, it may help if you find a new place to do your homework. For example, if you’ve been struggling to get your homework done at home, try spending an extra hour in the library after school instead. The change of scenery can limit your distractions and give you the energy you need to get your work done. 

If you’re stuck doing homework at home, you can still use this tip. For instance, maybe you’ve always done your homework sitting on your bed. Try relocating somewhere else, like your kitchen table, for a few weeks. You may find that setting up a new “homework spot” in your house gives you a motivational lift and helps you get your work done. 

Social media can be a huge problem when it comes to doing homework. We have advice for helping you unplug and regain focus.

How to Do Homework When You’re Easily Distracted

We live in an always-on world, and there are tons of things clamoring for our attention. From friends and family to pop culture and social media, it seems like there’s always something (or someone!) distracting us from the things we need to do.

The 24/7 world we live in has affected our ability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time. Research has shown that over the past decade, an average person’s attention span has gone from 12 seconds to eight seconds . And when we do lose focus, i t takes people a long time to get back on task . One study found that it can take as long as 23 minutes to get back to work once we’ve been distracte d. No wonder it can take hours to get your homework done! 

3 Tips to Improve Your Focus

If you have a hard time focusing when you’re doing your homework, it’s a good idea to try and eliminate as many distractions as possible. Here are three expert tips for blocking out the noise so you can focus on getting your homework done. 

#1: Create a Distraction-Free Environment

Pick a place where you’ll do your homework every day, and make it as distraction-free as possible. Try to find a location where there won’t be tons of noise, and limit your access to screens while you’re doing your homework. Put together a focus-oriented playlist (or choose one on your favorite streaming service), and put your headphones on while you work. 

You may find that other people, like your friends and family, are your biggest distraction. If that’s the case, try setting up some homework boundaries. Let them know when you’ll be working on homework every day, and ask them if they’ll help you keep a quiet environment. They’ll be happy to lend a hand! 

#2: Limit Your Access to Technology 

We know, we know...this tip isn’t fun, but it does work. For homework that doesn’t require a computer, like handouts or worksheets, it’s best to put all your technology away . Turn off your television, put your phone and laptop in your backpack, and silence notifications on any wearable tech you may be sporting. If you listen to music while you work, that’s fine...but make sure you have a playlist set up so you’re not shuffling through songs once you get started on your homework. 

If your homework requires your laptop or tablet, it can be harder to limit your access to distractions. But it’s not impossible! T here are apps you can download that will block certain websites while you’re working so that you’re not tempted to scroll through Twitter or check your Facebook feed. Silence notifications and text messages on your computer, and don’t open your email account unless you absolutely have to. And if you don’t need access to the internet to complete your assignments, turn off your WiFi. Cutting out the online chatter is a great way to make sure you’re getting your homework done. 

#3: Set a Timer (the Pomodoro Technique)

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro technique ? It’s a productivity hack that uses a timer to help you focus!

Here’s how it works: first, set a timer for 25 minutes. This is going to be your work time. During this 25 minutes, all you can do is work on whatever homework assignment you have in front of you. No email, no text messaging, no phone calls—just homework. When that timer goes off, you get to take a 5 minute break. Every time you go through one of these cycles, it’s called a “pomodoro.” For every four pomodoros you complete, you can take a longer break of 15 to 30 minutes.

The pomodoro technique works through a combination of boundary setting and rewards. First, it gives you a finite amount of time to focus, so you know that you only have to work really hard for 25 minutes. Once you’ve done that, you’re rewarded with a short break where you can do whatever you want. Additionally, tracking how many pomodoros you complete can help you see how long you’re really working on your homework. (Once you start using our focus tips, you may find it doesn’t take as long as you thought!)

Two Bonus Tips for How to Do Homework Fast

Even if you’re doing everything right, there will be times when you just need to get your homework done as fast as possible. (Why do teachers always have projects due in the same week? The world may never know.)

The problem with speeding through homework is that it’s easy to make mistakes. While turning in an assignment is always better than not submitting anything at all, you want to make sure that you’re not compromising quality for speed. Simply put, the goal is to get your homework done quickly and still make a good grade on the assignment! 

Here are our two bonus tips for getting a decent grade on your homework assignments , even when you’re in a time crunch. 

#1: Do the Easy Parts First 

This is especially true if you’re working on a handout with multiple questions. Before you start working on the assignment, read through all the questions and problems. As you do, make a mark beside the questions you think are “easy” to answer . 

Once you’ve finished going through the whole assignment, you can answer these questions first. Getting the easy questions out of the way as quickly as possible lets you spend more time on the trickier portions of your homework, which will maximize your assignment grade. 

(Quick note: this is also a good strategy to use on timed assignments and tests, like the SAT and the ACT !) 

#2: Pay Attention in Class 

Homework gets a lot easier when you’re actively learning the material. Teachers aren’t giving you homework because they’re mean or trying to ruin your weekend... it’s because they want you to really understand the course material. Homework is designed to reinforce what you’re already learning in class so you’ll be ready to tackle harder concepts later.

When you pay attention in class, ask questions, and take good notes, you’re absorbing the information you’ll need to succeed on your homework assignments. (You’re stuck in class anyway, so you might as well make the most of it!) Not only will paying attention in class make your homework less confusing, it will also help it go much faster, too.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking to improve your productivity beyond homework, a good place to begin is with time management. After all, we only have so much time in a day...so it’s important to get the most out of it! To get you started, check out this list of the 12 best time management techniques that you can start using today.

You may have read this article because homework struggles have been affecting your GPA. Now that you’re on the path to homework success, it’s time to start being proactive about raising your grades. This article teaches you everything you need to know about raising your GPA so you can

Now you know how to get motivated to do homework...but what about your study habits? Studying is just as critical to getting good grades, and ultimately getting into a good college . We can teach you how to study bette r in high school. (We’ve also got tons of resources to help you study for your ACT and SAT exams , too!)

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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