The Homework Story

    Once upon a time, there was a third grade class who loved homework.  Every night Monday through Thursday, they took a math worksheet home in their Homework Folder.  Then they went to a quiet, specially designated place that was just for them doing homework and completed it in pencil as soon as they could after school - the earlier, the better!  After spending anywhere between 1 and 15 minutes to complete it, a "homework partner" who had done third grade math before checked their work using the answer booklet the teacher sent home at the beginning of each unit.  This class knew that having the answers to the homework wasn't cheating!  Once the homework was completed and checked, the homework partner initialed the top right corner of the homework.  Together, the homework partner and the third grader took all the other papers in the Homework folder out and decided if they need to be returned or kept at home.  The third grader knew that the only papers that came back to school were that day's completed homework and items requiring guardian signatures.  Once the folder was cleaned out and the returning papers were in the folder, the third grader put it right in their backpack, which was then placed in the same special spot in their home so they remembered to bring it to school the next day!  Next, the third grader curled up with a great just right book and enjoyed at least 10 minutes of reading indepedently or with a homework partner.  If they felt motivated after that, they clicked on one of the links below and used the wonderful programs available online to practice some reading or math skills!  This class didn't worry too much about learning new skills while they were doing their homework.  They just loved showing their families what they knew so far, building their organizational skills, taking ownership of their learning and gradually growing their sense of responsibility!!