Change to Late Homework Policy

October 7, 2009 | Posted in: Class Updates

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This year, I’m trying something new with homework, and I’ve been very pleased by how well it has worked so far. Instead of collecting homework from kids by having them put it in a turn-in bin, I now go around the room while kids have their homework on their desk, and I check to see who has come to school prepared with their assignments. This lets me check in homework more efficiently, which leaves more time for us to correct assignments together, giving kids more of an opportunity to review skills and ask questions.

However, it takes a lot of time for me to back up and fill out missing homework slips (especially since we have had a lot of missing assignments lately, unfortunately). Because a big focus in fourth grade is helping students to develop a sense of academic responsibility, I have started a new system of Homework Alerts. If a student is not prepared when he or she comes to school, I will ask him or her to fill out a Homework Alert and to explain on it the reason why they were not prepared with their homework. I will sign it, the student will sign it, and he or she must bring it home and have a parent/guardian sign it that night. If it does not come back signed the next school day, he or she may lose recess time, particularly if it becomes an ongoing issue.

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement as your child matures into an increasingly responsible fourth grader!

Here is a sample Homework Alert for you to review, if you are interested: HOMEWORK ALERT