I was particularly interested in the chapter about Homework and Practice. I was struck by the section that discussed the homework load. I teach High School so it is fair game for me to pile on more homework ;-) However in my general classes (not honors) when I assign homework, the rate of return is alarmingly low. I am wondering what the trends are among other teachers? I think that Marzano offers so many great strategies in fostering skills in our students that would aid them in completing their homework but feel like part of the problem is that once kids reach the upper grades, the parental involvement and support in homework wanes. I would be interested in what other teachers encounter in homework trends...
One of the practices that I am going to take to heart next year is establishing communication at home. I will collect parent e-mails and at the first of the year send home a homework policy for parents nearly identical to the one found in the Marzano book. Then I will send homework updates via e-mail throughout the school year. Maybe if they are being questioned about their homework at home I will see a higher rate of return.
And lastly, I add my testimonial about commenting on homework. When I return papers (granted this is an honors class) my students always look through the assignment and look for my comments and if I fail to make a comment they let me know. They look forward to the feedback and it helps them to know that what they are turning in is valid and important, not something that I breeze through and throw a score on.
I teach 5th grade, so some of my students are still learning good work habits and how to be responsible about school. Most of them turn in their homework just fine, but some literally don't have those skills yet. Every morning I mark off who has handed in their work. Those who haven't sign "The Unprepared Book." This just helps me (and them) keep track, and makes them accountable. Then my students must finish their work before they can play at recess. Every friday my kids write a little newsletter so parents know highlights from the week, and my kids list their late work on the newsletter. This keeps parents in the loop - and puts more accountability on the students. Yes...it takes some work on my part, but I never have to wonder if my kids are handing their stuff in - and parents don't either. Obviously this same system wouldn't work in high school, though! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your experience is better than mine. I have emailed my students and their parents for the past two years, unfortunately, I can't say that I've seen a positive change. Just more excuses and more emails from parents telling me why it's OK for their children to be unaccountable.:(
ReplyDeleteAppropriate homework given with consistancy has worked for my 5th grade class. I give a small math homework assignment each M - Th. Parents know that it will always happen. This is generally their first experience with regular homework except for reading each night or perhaps studying spelling or vocabulary. Some of the other teachers have started the year with some homework, gotten discouraged, and quit. I really feel grateful that I stuck in their with the assignments. They need to experience following through with their work before they go on to middle school. I allow three zeros each quarter, recognizing that life happens. Now I'm out of the excuse loop. When they say that they couldn't do their homework because they were at a family party, I just say that it's OK. We will let it be one of their 3 zeros. Generally speaking the students have felt successful.
ReplyDeleteDoing this helps me recognize their understanding of the math concepts and plan appropriately for lessons. They are actually meeting my expectations.
As a fifth-grade teacher, we have really worked on responsibility. Some of my students get it, and some don't. I do a weekly newsletter letting parents know what we have accomplished in our class during the week and events that are coming up. Parents receive a missing assignment paper every Friday. Whatever is completed before the student leaves school is crossed off with my purple pen and initialed by me. Parents know to watch for it and students are rewarded for returning it with completed work and a parent signature on Monday morning. This has worked really well for some students; however, there are those 5-6 in every class....
ReplyDeleteWe have also had a "Friday after-school club." Students with missing work, miss recesses, and call their parents and stay after school (as long as I don't have any meetings). This has really motivated some students who don't want to stay after school, or parents don't want to have to come and pick them up.
Thanks great suggestions. I only wish I had recesses to hold over their heads. :-)
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