Mixed math practice

The core move. Keep your lessons. Change the order of the practice problems. In the trial, both groups saw the same problems; only the arrangement differed (IES(opens in a new tab)).

How to rebuild a practice set (about 20 minutes per unit)

1. List every problem type taught so far this year.
2. For each new lesson, assign only the first few problems of the new type in that night's set.
3. Spread the rest of that type's problems across the next several weeks of assignments.
4. Fill each assignment with problems from earlier types, so no two problems in a row use the same method.
5. Remove headings that tell students the method ("Section 4.2: Slope").

Example: one week of 7th grade homework

Scripts

• To students: "The first step on every problem is deciding what kind it is. That's the skill the test checks, so we practice it every night."
• To parents: "Your child's homework mixes old and new problems on purpose. It will feel harder, and it's built to make the learning last."

Four-week try-it plan

Troubleshooting