1. Watch this slideshow with your child. You will need the backpack, the planner, and the binder while you watch. Get them now. Click on the arrow when you’re ready for the next slide!

2. Open the planner to any week we’ve had school. (Your planner may have a different look—this one was from 2009-2010) Look to see if the assignments have been written in EVERY DAY. The assignment, the problem numbers, and upcoming due dates should be there. When there is no homework, the students are required to write “none” or “no HW” Check for any days when it says, “All fixed HWs due by……….” These are the days I remind kids to FIX the problems they missed on their assignments, and get them turned in for credit. DID YOU KNOW? Every homework assignment is due TWICE? Once on the day we correct it in class, and then again after the problems are fixed!

3. Look to see if something is written in Math, LA, Social Studies and Science EVERY DAY (The first two days of school don’t count) Due dates are on the homework board also. You can also check the website for assignments and due dates

4. Open the binder to the MATH section. Look for the pages that say NOTES at the top. These should be readable by you and the child. At least a few PRACTICE problems should be completed at the bottom. All the blanks and vocabulary definitions should be filled out. Keep the notes in front of you as you go to the next slide.

5. Now choose a HOMEWORK assignment. Pick one where the work was done on a separate page. The separate page should be FOLDED and NUMBERED. Each box should have a PROBLEM, the WORK, and the ANSWER. The homework should look like this. Refer to the pages on Homework Directions in the packet we sent home the first week.

6. Look to see that the work the child has done LOOKS LIKE the work that was done on the notes. Some students are taking proper notes, but failing to LOOK at them when it’s homework time. They don’t follow the steps, and don’t memorize the vocabulary, or the “rules” for solving the problems. Therefore, they are wasting their practice time by doing the homework incorrectly.

7. A typical homework next to the notes from the day See how the problems look the same?

8. Check to see that the papers have the HEADING. This is a must -- We have 120 students EACH DAY! First and Last Name Class and Period # Date

9. Finally: Ask your child to show you these things (planner, notes, and homework) regularly, and check to see that they are being done properly. Check for the DUE dates for fixed HWs. I don’t accept the work late. If there is an organization problem, sit with your child as HE/SHE organizes the papers. If you do it, the student will not learn. DO NOT THROW AWAY any notes or homework assignments. The notes stay in the binder, and the homeworks will be collected by me. NO PAPERS SHOULD EVER BE LEFT AT HOME!