homework, procedures, whole brain teaching

Universal Homework Model

Wednesday, July 11, 2012 - 85 comments

The dreaded homework that student's dislike and gives teachers more 'stuff' to grade. Do you feel that way too? I hope I'm not the only one!

Last year I did homework packets that went out Monday and were due Friday. We played Homeworkopoly each Friday where student's won prizes from treasure box and class coupons. You can read more about this here.

I liked the procedure actually, especially having homework packets for 1st graders since didn't waste much class time.

This year I want to try something different that gives my 2nd graders more independence, responsibility, and choice.

After I was first introduced to the Universal Homework Model (UHM) though 3rd Grade Thoughts who posted about it here. I knew I wanted to give it a shot.

Here is what is going to be in my 'Handbook' for parents to explain it a little further:

That cute bookmark on the left hand side is what student's will be taking home. You can download your own customizable bookmark from 3rd Grade Thoughts here. She's fabulous isn't she?

I've customized her bookmark a little to make it work for my class. I'm giving my students 4 homework choices that include spelling, math practice, independent reading, and writing a letter to me about whatever they want but it has to be neat and over a half a page. Students can choose to do one star or all 4 stars; it is truly up to them. I'm going to be pushing they do two a night.

I will also be using Words Their Way for my spelling instruction so our spelling activities are a little different. Here is my page to parents giving them more information about the word work activities:

The bookmark on the right will go on the back of the Star Homework bookmark above so it will be one double sided bookmark. I love how this means they can see their Word Work choices each night with detailed directions. Students will know these activities well since they will be doing them in class weekly but I think it will help in case they need a reminder at home.

How will this look in my classroom?

Each morning when students enter the class, I'll have them record how many stars they completed on a clipboard and then turn in their homework into a basket right next to it (can't wait to be back in my room so I can show you pictures!!).

Then at our morning meeting, I can quickly tally up how many stars our class has earned and there is a record of how many each student has completed for accountability (that I didn't have to do!). If any issues arise we will chat about it at our morning meeting.

I'll be quickly checking homework sometime through out the day and if any of it is not up to standard they will get their star taken away. These are things I would chat about at the morning meeting. I would never single out that child but just talk about the issue generally.

During our morning meeting I'll also remind students we need however many stars to get our goal for the week.

For example, if our class earns 75 stars (I'm making this number up right now, depends on your expectations and class size) they might get 2 minutes of free time, extra recess, or Mind Soccer (a whole brain teaching game students go crazy for). If our class earns 100 stars then students might get 3 minutes of desired activity. Or if our class earns 125 stars then students might get 5 minutes of desired activity!

Make sure you keep the desired activity super desired by the students so they want to work hard to obtain it.

There will be a graph kept similar to this one:

From A Whole Brain Teacher

It's purpose is to keep track of our class total of stars and is a great visual representation.

Also have students volunteer to do more stars on Wednesday/Thursday and write their name down on the board. Follow up with them and see if they did complete 3 or 4 star homework and if so celebrate, thank them, and cheer for them. Students love attention and this entire homework program is somewhat based around class peer pressure. The more homework they do, the more attention they will receive!

If you want more information, check out 3rd Grade Thoughts post here and this funny and fabulous video by Chris Biffle (founder of Whole Brain Teaching):

Watch live streaming video from wholebrainteaching1 at livestream.com

I'm really, really hoping this system works out well *crossing my fingers* I am very excited to give the students choices so hopefully homework is more engaging. Have you used the Universal Homework Model?