Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Homework Linky Party

Homework is kinda a touchy subject for me.  You can read all about our history here.  However, I finally have found something that works for me! PTL. :)  So I was really excited to see that The Lesson Plan Diva was hosting a linky party about homework. 

Previously, our homework was due daily and it was an organizational nightmare.  I would forget to clean out the homework clothespin bin and would frantically be taking their homework out of their clothespins moments before the bell rang or have a kiddo do it.  It often got lost in the shuffle and I felt horrible because I was asking my kiddos and their families to give up a part of their family time to do homework and I wasn't reviewing like I should.   It was just too much paperwork coming to school for me. 

Now I do a packet and I love it.  I pass it out on Mondays and it's due on Friday.  No more frantic paper trail, at least not with homework at least. 


It all starts with the cover page.  Throughout this process change, I found the kids were cutting off to bottom to use the spelling list to complete the spelling activities sprinkled throughout the packet, so I've started to include an extra list for them to use when completing them.


My students must complete a math fact practice activity nightly, which was lacking in our previous homework routine, and it's working! Our scores are going up and up! This is my addition contract, they do addition on Mondays and Wednesdays and subtraction on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 


On Tuesdays, they do some type of comprehension activity with our weekly story, usually with our focus skill, but this week they are doing some comprehension questions since the skill for this week is really hard to practice again at home, making predictions.  


I also use two pages from Courtney's awesome packs of morning work as well.  Here's the link to the one I used for this weeks story.  Thanks for making these, Courtney! You're amazing. :)


For math, I usually copy pages from Today's Math, which is the home link connection for our math program.  I like it a lot better than the math that was on the homework I used to use, which was created by the teachers on my grade level team.  Sometimes I'll make up an activity to include in my packet if I can't find something I like from Today's Math, such as this:






Overall, the packet has been a great addition to my classroom!  I've noticed a difference in our math scores and it's been much easier to manage than the nightly homework.  To make it a bit more user friendly, I type/write the day they are to complete the pages on the top of the papers, to help them stay organized and they are all in order in the packet as well, which has been a big help for the kids and parents.  


What does homework look like in your room?  Link up and share!

10 comments:

  1. LOVE LOVE LOVE your homework system. I need to be more sophisticated like you and jazz mine up a bit- a lot! Question!!! What are your kiddos consequences for not completing the homework packet...? Do you have any kiddies who don't have much parent support at home...? I need suggestions!!!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I am keeping track of completed packets on a class record list for the month and then all friends who completed the entire packet get to have lunch with me at the beginning of the next month in the classroom. They seem jazzed about this idea, so I hope it works.

      I have one friend who has little to no help at home, so I might have her come to the first party just to get really excited and be more motivated about homework. I'm really liking the switch but will like it a lot more next year once I have them all done for the year! :)

      Lisa
      Stories From Second

      Delete
  2. I love your blog! I've nominated you for an award, come on over to my blog to get it!

    Andrea
    Cheers to School

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just found your blog. It looks great. I teach second grade in Canada. I'm going to have to check around more. I'm your newest follower. Come on over and check out my blog
    http://savvyteachingtips.blogspot.com/
    cheers
    Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love your stuff, very cute blog! I am your newest follower. Come on over to my blog and tell me what you think. I am a brand new blogger. I have an Abe Lincoln craft you might like. ~ vicky
    Traditions Laughter and Happily Ever After

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just discovered your blog. I love these ideas! I particularly like the math contract and the weekly homework page. Would it be possible to email me a copy of these so I can rework them to fit my class? I love them! :)
    Thanks--ashleybowlesreed@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. i will always advice, that when you want to trade, you should seek the assistance of a well trained personnel. I've been trading with Robert Seaman and it would be selfish of me, if i don't recommend them. With their well guarded signals and forever active strategies i have been able to make over 11,200usd weekly
    Email: Robertseaman939@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...