Students can say no to homework, but can we say the same about engaging worksheets?
Worksheets are sheets of paper that contain concepts of what is learned in the classroom presented in a fun and engaging way. In these worksheets, questions can be put in different forms like a game, quizzes, fill-in-blanks, and more.
Timed worksheets are also a way of designing worksheets where the students are challenged to complete the questions in a limited time. Parents and teachers have realized that there is a great advantage for children if they learn with the help of timed worksheets.
Books Vs. Worksheets
Learning and books are complementary to one another. Books are a set of compiled concepts about a particular subject or topic. They have lessons divided into chapters to make instruction easy and a step-by-step procedure.
Books are the primary source of knowledge for younger children.
On the other hand, worksheets supplement the books that enable active learning among students. Worksheets for kids have exercises to scrutinize the level of understanding that the students might have achieved from reading the books.
It would not be appropriate to say that we can substitute books with worksheets because worksheets can help the students and teachers achieve a particular learning objective (gained through books).
Advantages of Timed Worksheets for Kids
Young students may need help communicating effectively about their doubts, misunderstanding of concepts, and other gaps in the learning process.
These worksheets are like assessments to help teachers understand the gray areas where students find themselves snarled up.
Active learning through worksheets, help the teachers assess where the students need help understanding the lessons.
Worksheet created by Evelyn Learning for Grade 6 students to learn the concepts of addition with 4-digit numbers
Worksheet created by Evelyn Learning for Grade 6 students to learn the concept of multiplication by 10, 100, and 1000.
Apart from this, the advantages of worksheets for Kids are explained as follows:
Finishing work in a fixed time.
Students can learn with worksheets. We know young children are not very keen on sitting for a fixed time to devote themselves to a particular activity. Most of them loiter around, showing little interest in revising what they learned at school.
Worksheets for kids with fixed time can ensure that children finish the work exercises in a limited span. It can help parents to convince their children to sit and study effectively for a short time.
Engage Students in a Game
Teachers can design worksheets like a game.
Just as a video game has a time limit and some challenges that make it enjoyable, teachers can also design the worksheets like a paper game with knowledge concepts to work on.
Example: The below sheet shows a worksheet designed to develop children’s logical thinking and remembering skills through a shadow-matching game. Students may not find this boring because it is designed to be colorful and game-based. A student who practices such sheets in a timed-based manner can develop practical fast-thinking skills.
Develops Self-Study habits
Lower-grade students usually need their parents’ help with their homework. With worksheets, parents can engage children by explaining how to solve exercises, and then the children can do it independently. It helps to develop students to work independently and use logic.
Example: Students can complete their worksheets once they understand the working pattern. For example, in the following pattern, a parent can explain how to complete a worksheet for number 7, but later they can do the rest of the number sheets on their own. Their parents can supervise their timing, but they can complete the exercise independently.
Assessing Knowledge
Evelyn designs worksheets using the concepts of bloom’s taxonomy and depth of knowledge. In both these ideologies, the assessments focus on remembering the learned concepts, understanding them, and exploring their applicability in real-life situations.
These are among the most common and best ways to create worksheets for students to test their knowledge. Time-based worksheets are additionally helpful because they put a timer on a student’s mind, which helps them to think fast and intelligently.
Example: Students can answer questions related to identifying shapes and sizes that they might have learned in their geometry class.
Worksheets like these can help students to revise their lessons. However, a time-based worksheet can help them think fast, improving their cognitive skills and helping them to think, not just fast but also smartly.
Prepare Students for the Future
All competitive or regular exams have a time limit. A timer puts positive pressure on students’ minds and brings out the best in them. Timed worksheets for kids can help them to prepare for exams and increase their operating speed.
It is easier to shape a young child’s mind to train them to think effectively in less time. This not only helps them to prepare for their exams but also helps students to make timely decisions. Decision-making quality is essential in every individual’s life, and timely decision-making can be learned through practical training.
Just Another Learning Style
Worksheets are one of the ways that teachers can assess the student’s knowledge and, at the same time, engage students in active learning.
Worksheets help students to think logically and revise what they have learned through the books. Worksheets with a time limit can propel smart decision-making based on what they have learned. They have exercises, so they inculcate the habit of brainstorming, fast thinking, remembering, and applying learned skills in the students, depending on the worksheet’s intent.
