Welcome to Homework 101

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Welcome to Homework 101

• Choose a table to set your things
• Select a homework problem you feel comfortable
  doing
• Work the problem on the chart paper, showing all
  your work, and sign your name
• You may do the problem with a partner but both
  must completely understand the solution
• Be prepared to explain your solution

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Homework 101
1. Math problem 2. Favorite Movie 3. Math Problem
4. Favorite 6th Grade Math Activity 5. Math
problem 6. Favorite Book 7. Math Problem 8.
Favorite 7th Grade Math Activity 9. Math Problem
10. Favorite Recipe 11. Math Problem 12.
Favorite 8th Grade Math Activity
13. Math Problem 14. Favorite Summer
Activity 15. Math Problem 16. Favorite Alg 1
Math Activity 17. Math Problem 18. Favorite
Artist 19. Math Problem 20. Favorite Geom Math
Activity 21. Math Problem 22. Favorite Sport 23.
Math Problem 24. Favorite Alg 2 Math Activity
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Motivating High School Students to Own the
Mathematics Homework!

• Norma Jost
• Austin ISD, Secondary Mathematics Supervisor
  njost_at_austinisd.org
• Michelle Ruddell
• Robinson ISD, Robinson HS Mathematics Teacher
  mruddell_at_robinson.k12.tx.us

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Homework 101
1. Math problem 2. Favorite Movie 3. Math Problem
4. Favorite 6th Grade Math Activity 5. Math
problem 6. Favorite Book 7. Math Problem 8.
Favorite 7th Grade Math Activity 9. Math Problem
10. Favorite Recipe 11. Math Problem 12.
Favorite 8th Grade Math Activity
13. Math Problem 14. Favorite Summer
Activity 15. Math Problem 16. Favorite Alg 1
Math Activity 17. Math Problem 18. Favorite
Artist 19. Math Problem 20. Favorite Geom Math
Activity 21. Math Problem 22. Favorite Sport 23.
Math Problem 24. Favorite Alg 2 Math Activity
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Goals

• Identify homework beliefs/issues/etc.
• Explore the features of a homework process used
  in high school mathematics classes to have all
  students own the learning
• Discuss other homework ideas and develop next
  steps for a homework process that has all
  students owning the learning

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Pros Cons of Homework

• Take 2 minutes to write the Pros Cons of
  Homework on your task sheet.
• Discuss your Homework Pros Cons with a partner.

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Homework Pros

• Students build knowledge through practice
• It reinforces concepts taught that day and
  supports spiraling concepts
• Parents expect it
• It prepares students for assessments/college/etc.

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Homework Cons

• Overwhelming paper piles
• Timing and process of Feedback/Grading
• Students copy/wait for us to do it/dont do it/
  etc.
• Teacher doing all the work
• Wasting valuable instructional time

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From
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The steps to a New Homework Process implemented
with 135 students 2008-2009

1. From Frustration to Hope
2. Jumping Right In
3. Coaching My Students
4. Keeping Records?
5. Problem Students
6. Assessment
7. Teachers, administrators, parents
8. Quotes

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From Frustration to Hope

• The homework process was frustrating because of
  all the cons
• I heard about homework on the board at CAMT
• I hoped that this process would resolve my
  homework issues!

Michelle email quote on Friday of the first week
of school I teach Geometry and Algebra II at
Robinson High School.  I met you at CAMT this
summer, where you told me how you had students
work homework problems on the board at the
beginning of class.  
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Jumping Right InThe 2nd Day Of School

• I almost chickened out
• My rosters showed more students than ever before
• I was convinced to try something new!

Michelle email quote I have implemented this
idea in my classes and have been completely and
totally amazed this week.  On Thursday, by the
time I had finished taking attendance all the
problems were on the board and they had been done
by the tardy bell.  I heard more math
conversation among students in my classroom this
week than ever before!!
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Coaching My Students

• This was new to students too
• They had to know what was expected
• Students needed to be taught the process
• The set-up every day of homework was

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Keeping Records?

• I needed a way to keep track of students work on
  the board
• Blank roster reports work great for me

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Problem Students

• This process works well for most students
• Easily adaptable (number of problems, work with
  partner, help with explanation, etc.)
• For students who love an audience, now they have
  one!
• What I did with ones who didnt go to the board

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Assessments

• Since I was not picking up homework I gave more
  quizzes with less problems.
• What worked best for me was
• I found that students were.
• If you have a good accountability system with
  groups, it can be set up to have ten small
  quizzes 5 individual and 5 group

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Teachers, Parents, Administrators

• Lots of positive comments
• Other teachers were.
• Parents Ive talked to have been supportive
• Administrators love it

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Student Quotes

• I like doing homework this way, it helps me
  understand it better.
• This way, if I didnt get it at home, I have
  another chance.
• Where did you get..
• Mrs. Ruddell, where are the problems to put on
  the board?

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Quote From a PDAS Walk-Through

• I loved this new homework approach! This is a
  great way to assess students understanding of
  the material. The students were actively
  engaged. What a positive environment.
• Dr. Jeanie
  Johnson
• Principal

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Next Steps

• My next steps are
• - incorporate more group work and
  quizzes
• - refine process of choosing problems for the
  board
• Questions

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Next Steps

• What homework process will you try next year to
  have all students own the learning?
• At your table, discuss this process or other
  homework ideas
• Share as a group

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Next Steps

• Connect on a Homework PbWorks site to try next
  year and share new ideas http//aisdmathhwproces
  s.pbworks.com/

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