Lesson 1: The Homework Dilemma
Organizing at School
In order for students to be successful with homework, teachers need to set the stage for that success. Setting up good homework routines should begin right on the first day of school, but it is never too late to start.
Here are some ways to help students get organized and to encourage good homework habits.
Assignment Pad
An assignment pad or weekly planner is vital. A weekly planner calendar works well, especially in the upper grades, and it will help your students to keep track of long range assignments, upcoming tests, as well as daily homework assignments. Whatever format you chose to use, be sure to look for one that is large enough to record assignments in several subjects each day.
Our school provided each student with a homework planner. If your school doesn't you will want to make sure each student has one. Decide on the format you want to use, and include it on your list of school supplies that you send home in the spring, or before school starts in the fall.
Daily Homework List
Students need to learn to record their homework assignments in their planners each day. To help students with this, I set aside a section on my chalkboard just for recording the day's homework assignments. As we completed each subject for the day, if there was a homework assignment, I'd write it clearly on the list. For example:
Math: Page 27: even numbered problems 1-10. Show your work!
After I wrote the assignment and reviewed it with the students, I casually walked around the classroom checking to be sure each student wrote it in their planner or assignment pad.
I left the list up all day, adding to it as assignments were given. And since I had students who went to different teachers for certain subjects, I usually also jotted those assignments down so that those students could check the list if they had a question. I felt that this was time well spent as it helped students to be sure they had their assignments clearly recorded.
Standing Homework Assignments
I also gave students a standing homework assignments that was to be done every day. Usually I asked students to read for 10-15 minutes, but occasionally I'd add another standing assignment depending upon our curriculum. This was useful for two reasons. It was a valid assignment, and it also took away those famous words "I have no homework tonight". In the next section I'll discuss ways for parents to get organized at home, and having a standing assignment is helpful for parents who are trying to set routines at home, as I'll explain.
