Being an 8th grade math teacher, I understand the importance of practicing math to become better learning math concepts. I tell and stress to my students daily that homework is practice to get better and it’s not just about the grade on the homework assignment. However, I have noticed a trend of several students not even doing their homework. I know times have changed with just giving a lot of homework for repetition purposes. But, what happens when students get 5 problems and they still don’t complete their homework? This is very concerning to me. Students are not doing their homework, but still wondering why they are not grasping the math concepts. I teach 50 - minute classes and of course students don’t receive exactly 50 minutes of instruction by the time class begins. Students will not learn everything about math during their class. It is what students do outside of class that will really determine how they will fair in math class. Some of the responses I have received from students for not doing their homework include: “I forgot to do it”, “I lost it”, “It was too hard”, “I left my book in my locker”, etc. Besides keeping many homework assignments short and to the point, I also utilize technology. All of my students have school math accounts in which they can do homework assignments online. Students can do their homework at home or on their cell phones. Some students still don’t do their homework. Additionally, there are math videos for tutorials, puzzles, and other games students can play while learning at the same time. Furthermore, I provide incentives at times and make homework related to real-world examples. No matter how much I go out my way to help students, many students still don’t do their homework. I also stress to my students that turning in homework is based on effort. Students have full control of turning in their assignments.
I completely understand your frustration. I have offered multiple sources for students to complete homework practice and, still, the same students never complete it. These are also the students who need it the most. Math proficiency is met when students are able to connect the concepts to real life. Keep pushing these kids, as you have, to "want" it. Continue to establish these differentiated routines and rituals and just hope it will click with these students.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
Jarrod,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you have reached out to the parents to ask for their help. What have the parents said in response? You have given the students every opportunity to accomplish their HW, and I know you well enough now that I am aware you engage your students in a way that shows them that you want to help them succeed. Is there any way you can connect with these struggling students, making them not want to let you down as their teacher? There has to be something that makes them "tick." If you could figure out "that thing" in their lives that motivates them, then maybe you could work on that angle. I'm sorry that you are having this trouble because I know how much you care about your students.