What is the best way to ensure your older students do their homework?

Question

I am a Science and English teacher for grade 6

Answer 1

Homework must have a purpose and should never be a punishment. Here's what I do with my 6th graders: when homework is assigned, I give a sticker to all students who have completed the assignment. The students post their stickers on the homework chart, a colorful and visual reminder of all who have or have not done the work. At the end of the week, students who have completed all homework for the week are entered into a drawing for a reward from the prize box. (The prize box is also used when we play games in class.) A prize is awarded to one male student and one female student each week. (Yes, I purchased most of the prizes, but I don't spend much money on them. I go to those $1 stores, shop clearance aisles, etc. I never buy anything over $2; the prizes range from cool "school supplies" like gel pens and pop culture binders/pencils to yo-yos, playing cards in cool shapes, and sunglasses. Getting the prize box started created some additional expenses, but a friend gave me some items and now I pick up one or two items whenever I'm out shopping. Now I barely notice the cost.) My principal observed me using a game as an instructional activity and loved watching the winner choose a prize. She even used school funds to purchase a few prizes for my class.

At the end of the grading period, students get 2 pts. for each completed assignment. All I have to do is count the stickers posted and multiply by 2--easy grading and the kids get a boost in their grade.

Answer 2

My son is a sixth grader in a Catholic school. He started going there two years ago. He went from always skipping his homework and barely passing grades, to always doing it! Straight A & B student now. Every grade in his school uses a theme type of spiral notebook, called the daily planner. I have to sign it EVERY evening. She has the students write down which subjects they have homework in for that day. The teacher looks at them the next morning for notes and for my signature to prove I have seen it. He can no longer just say "I don't have any homework today." When he was in public school, I wouldn't even know he wasn't doing all of his work until teachers conferences came around, much too late. It also provides me with constant communication opportunities to say, my son had to be up late because we went to see grandma in the hospital two hours away, or my son may be a bit emotional today, his cat just died etc. Very important to communicate that junior may not be up to par and need some extra patience or prodding at times too.

Answer 3

I am a high school teacher who has taught middle school, including grade 6.

At that age, extrinsic motivation is diminishing, and intrinsic motivations hasn't kicked in yet. Rewards, punishment, and "what will your parents think?" just don't seem to work.

Make the homework relevant to the class -- not just drill work. Give it out in small batches, and make sure that it is something that can be done with a minimum of frustration on the students part.

Most important, make sure that you grade it in a timely fashion (not just check it in) so that they can see that you are actually looking at their work and it means something.

As a reward, give the class some sort of fun activity whenever you get 100% of the class to turn in homework. Once they get used to this, give them a bigger treat for a full week of 100% homework, etc.

Train them to to relevant work, not pointless activities.

Answer 4

Maybe give them points at the end of the week for completion. Keep a chart for the whole class, since they might like the competition?? Trade in points for a small prize. Have parents and local businesses (like restaurants) donate small prizes. Good luck. Tough one.

Answer 5

One of my teachers when used to make us do our unfinished homework during lunchtime if we hadn't finished it at home. (It was a BIG incentive to finish it at home rather than at school with all your friends around, etc) Not many kids didn't finish it if they were told to do this but one kid I remember got a special report to do for the class cos he didn't finish it and was warned a note would go to his parents if it happened again.