The first week of school with students in their seats is behind me now. I have gotten behind in my posting – I’ve just been so tired and swamped with “school” stuff, that I actually have not even been on my computer at home this last week. Hopefully I will be able to get back into a regular routine soon.
This week’s Sunday Funday post is about homework policies. My homework policies have to change from year to year depending on the grade level and school that I am in.
There are so many issues around math and homework. As a teacher I want my students to practice the concepts that we are working on in class. I want them to be successful, but I also know that some of them do not do it. Some of the parents help too much, etc. And I do not like zeros because students don’t do their assignment.
Last year I started two things that really seemed to work for me. First of all, their homework was a Weekly Homework. It consisted of around 20 word problems over the current concepts and review concepts. They would have one week to work on it, I give it out on a Friday and it is due the next Friday. I give a little bit of time each day in class to work on it (we are double blocked and have about 90 minutes in class).
The other thing I do is I use a H.O.T. sheet. H.O.T stands for Homework On Time. Each students gets a H.O.T. sheet to keep in their binder. When we have a homework due, we stamp the H.O.T. sheets. There are 14 places for a stamp. Once students have their H.O.T. sheet completely full, they can turn it in to replace a low daily grade with a 100. This has encouraged students to bring their homework in on time.
The one thing I am going to incorporate this year, is they are going to have to write their answers in complete sentences. This is one way I am trying to use writing in the math classroom.
1 Comment (+add yours?)