Case
Homework Hassles

Another school year is beginning in a few days. With that comes the frustration of kids not completing their homework on time or at all. I am wanting to get this problem corrected or at least manageable in the first weeks of school.
Here is what I work with and what I've tried:
-85% low income, several on the homeless side
-little to no parent involvement in and out of school
-an environment where kids know they will be passed regardless because former administrators make teachers give kids work until they get the D mark
-all students have to ride the bus to and from school; only a select few can find rides or walk home (not in the safest neighborhood)
I've tried taking recess, after school time, loss of other privileges, etc. Currently I penalize 10% for a day late, 25% for two days late, and 50% after 3 days. I usually have to take the homework if it is well past the 3 day mark, but at 50%.
What are some of your homework policies? I just want to get this frustrating habit under control sooner rather than later.

Posted on: 08/09/14 | Views: 948
Solution #1
Since consequences are not working as hoped, I would implement some positive reinforcements to have students submit their homework on time. I have used ClassDojo as a way to encourage students to submit homework each day. You could use ClassDojo or a similar point system to allow students to earn points over a given time in order to earn a bigger reward such as a day of no homework, ice cream at lunch, or even a pizza or ice cream party for the class if everyone earns enough points for the whole month. I would also only issue homework that is absolutely necessary for the students to complete. The work would need to be able to be completed without any adult support or the need for other resources (dictionary, computer, construction paper, etc.)

I provide my students with a homework sheet on Monday with a table of subjects and a small amount of homework in each. Homework is checked daily and but not taken for a grade. I use a baseball analogy in my class. We discussed how I love the Atlanta Braves and going to games. I told my students that players have to practice everyday for the big game. Homework and classwork are the practice and tests are the big game. I also told them that if players don't practice hard they will not do well during the game which is embarrassing. We related this to our grades and how they all want to make A's. Students that do not turn in their homework lose some recess time but not all of it. I also teach in a low income school. I try to allow my students to work on their homework while they wait for their buses. Our school district has free lunch and breakfast for every student so many of them ride the bus and eat before they come to class. My students know that if they did not complete their homework they can eat quickly or bring their breakfast to my room so that they can finish before the announcements.

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Solution #2
I come from a similar low income title 1 school. I limit my homework assignments because there is no support at home. The students have so much to deal with on a personal level, parents in jail, limited food, foster care, homeless etc... Homework sometimes is literally the last thing on their mind. So, their homework will be to study spelling words, vocabulary words, reading, and a some questions to answer that will support what we did in class that day. Things that they would not need parental support for them to complete. I always accept homework late...our goal is to get them to learn.

Yes! Love it!!

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Solution #3
I give homework packets to my students. Homework is passed out on Monday and should be returned on Friday. Depending on your grade, a strategy that I use is choice time on Friday's. Every Friday, my students have choice time. Choice time consists of games, computer time, or whatever they choose. In order to go to choice, student's must bring their homework back on Friday. The y really get excited about this time and look forward to it on Friday. For my students that may not have assistance at home, I allow them to receive help in the morning from other classmates or myself. However, they must have some of the work done already.
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Solution #4
I teach 6th grade math and I give homework on a daily basis Monday-Thursday. Each homework assignment is worth 10 points and after 10 assignments, they receive a grade. If the students do not complete their homework, they have to complete a "Responsibility Card" and explain why they did not complete their homework. Most students do not like to complete the cards. If the incompletion becomes excessive, I contact parents and send the responsibility cards home and they must be signed and returned by the parent. For the most part, I have parental support. There are always those couple students who are just not going to complete their homework; however, the majority of my students do.
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Solution #5
I also teach at a Title 1, low income school with very little parental involvement. I teach 3rd grade, and we require students to do no more than 30 minutes of homework and 30 minutes of independent reading each night. Students have spelling, reading comprehension, and math review homework every night. I check homework every morning, and students who have not completed a component are required to spend recess inside. Our grade level has worked it out so one teacher per week keeps break detention, and students must complete their homework during this time. As an added incentive, students who complete every homework task throughout the week can earn a treat on Friday. They do not know which weeks I will bring treats, or what the treat will be. My students have gone from maybe half doing their homework every night, to all but one doing their homework every night. We are also not allowed to take homework for a grade, so it counts towards participation.

I agree with this case study. I will utilize this information once I become a teacher. I enjoyed reading this idea.

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Solution #6
I think that the students should receive homework only twice a week. The reason for this is that some students do not have support at home. For example, you can assign homework on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the due date should be Friday. Assigning homework only 2 days a week, will give the students enough time to complete it.
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