First off, I should probably tell you that my view on homework is that is should be PRACTICE. I never send something home as homework that we have done that same day. It's almost always something from the week before (except for Spelling, of course). I do expect homework daily, but I do a weekly packet. I expect my students to read at home for 15 minutes, do a little bit of math & spelling. (If truth be told, I would back off of the spelling. Studies show that Spelling tests/homework are not effective & really a waste of time. But - parents want it.
I like doing the weekly packet. I send it home on Monday & collect it on Friday. Parents tell me they really appreciate the weekly packets-- it allows for family schedules, emergencies, etc. I hardly EVER have issues with children not turning in their homework.
I add a cover page to the packet that lists homework per day. There is a text box on each day where parents are supposed to fill in the title of the book, number of pages read, & sign. Here is a copy of this week's cover sheet. We recently started really focusing on math fact fluency & I am adding some practice in for their homework. Each night, they need someone to time them for five minutes. See how many they can get done, & record that number on the front. My kiddos really enjoy doing this.
For spelling homework, I vary the activities I put in each week. This week, they are:
- Writing the words forwards & backwards
- Writing the words & circling the vowels
- Writing the words in bubble letters (a favorite!)
- Making a tracer for each word
- Cloze activities
- Make a word search
- Write the word & illustrate (thanks to a teacher friend!)
- Alphabetize
