She could offer a reward for completed homework such as extra points on assignments or even something like candy. She could also put random homework questions on the assessments and explain to the students that the homework will pay off on the assessment. Finally, she could allow students to build up reward points by doing homework and allow them to "cash" in the points every so often for various things.

A way to have students to complete optional homework is to communicate with parents. In emailing parents about the importance of completing the homework, the parents can also explain and have their child complete the homework. Parents are a great way to help support you and help teach how important homework if it is labeled optional or required.

Give the students points based on how much they do and how well they do their homework. Set up a gamification type classroom. For example, for each homework assignment they complete, they get a point and then for every homework assignment that is completed correctly receive 2 points. Once students earn so many points they can earn things like stickers, no homework pass or other rewards. You can also explain that by doing homework, students will master the material and then they can do something harder with the material they have learned.

Homework is somewhat optional in my class. I tell my students that I consider a school day a work day for them, just like adults have an 8 hour workday. I tell them if they work the entire time they are at school, they have completed the work day as an adult and do not have to do their homework, just like an adult (besides teachers, ha) does not have to take home work if they work the entire day. However, if they decide to be off task during the school day, they will take their work home as well as complete the additional practice, just as an adult would have to do. Even though my students are only in fourth grade, they appreciate and take pride in being treated as adults. This encourages the ones who do their work in class to still complete the additional homework at home because they like the thought of being responsible and the "most mature" in the class. These are students who have little to no parental support at home...they are CHOOSING to go above and beyond. It's amazing how much this faith and standard of high expectations motivates them more than rewards does. They want someone to be proud of them, which I am.

Completing homework could give students time to complete extension activities or projects in class while others do the homework assignment. Students that complete this work are given opportunities to complete extensions that are relevant to them and their everyday lives.