__________ are an effective means of providing students with materials to take home.

Handouts are indeed an effective means of providing students with materials to take home because they typically contain summarized information from the lessons, key concepts, and additional resources that students can refer to later. They are designed to complement what was taught during class and can enhance students' understanding and retention of the material. Handouts are usually formatted for easy readability and often include spaces for additional notes, allowing students to personalize their study materials.

In contrast, worksheets usually focus on practice and assessment, which may not provide the broader context necessary for independent study. Lecture slides are primarily intended as visual aids during the presentation, and while they can be helpful, they might not have enough detail for students to rely on them alone outside of class. Discussion points are conversation starters or topics to engage students during the lesson, but they do not serve as standalone materials for students to take home. Thus, handouts serve the dual purpose of being informative and easy for students to take away and review at their convenience.