Have you ever felt like your days in the classroom could use an extra dose of magic? Well, here’s the secret – it’s all about systems. Trust me, having systems in place is like having a glimmer of sanity in your day as a teacher! Doing things the same way every day might sound a bit repetitive, but the payoff is worth it – it takes less of your brainpower, less of your time, and you’ll find yourself thanking your self later. Let’s dive into the importance of having systems, today we are going to look at managing homework.
Homework checking is a task that can be quick and easy with the right system.
Step 1: a designated basket or bin where students independently drop off their homework upon arriving each day.
Step 2: Add a clipboard to the basket with a blank attendance list clipped on it. I like having 15-20 copies of the attendance list on the clipboard because it saves me from frantically searching for new ones. As students work on morning work, a quick check-off on the clipboard reveals who hasn’t dropped off their homework. I call out of the names of the work I don’t have and this helps determine whether they forgot the assignment altogether or just the drop-off part.
Step 3: In my recent quest for streamlined homework management, I stumbled upon the idea of punch cards. Similar to coffee club punch cards, these homework punch cards are simple. Every time a student completes their homework on time and using class strategies, a hole punch is added. Once the card reaches its limit (in our case, 12 punches), students receive it back as a “no homework pass.” I keep the punch cards in a little basket right near the home work basket. Students are motivated to complete their work, and parents love the flexibility it offers on busy nights or when assignments slip through the cracks. Grab these FREE Homework Punch Cards in our FREE Resource Library!
Step 4: A quick check. Last, I flip through the pages of completed homework and I pull out assignments that signal a need for more help or that were not completed correctly. I use these papers for targeted small group sessions or they get moved to independent work. A quick highlight or circle on the page indicates areas for improvement, turning the homework into classwork for those needing more time or support.
The next few posts are going to be about systems in your classroom – from collecting papers to managing homework and grading. These systems are not just organizational tools; they’re meant to make your day a little smoother.
~Heather
