The Universal Homework Model

For years I have searched for a way to make homework meaningful to my students and not a chore for their parents.  I've dreamed of a school year in which the students were excited about doing their homework and parents never shared with me that getting their children to do homework was a struggle.  I've tried assigning different types of homework and using different reward systems, but I have never found one that I thought really worked.  That is, until now.  When I read about the Universal Homework Model I was in love, and immediately knew that I had to give it a try.

Here is how it works.  Choose three tasks that you would like your students to do for homework each night, and assign each of these tasks a star value of one, two, or three stars.  Two star homework would also include the completion of one star homework, and three star homework would include the completion of one and two star homework.  Each night your students would choose how many stars that they would like to earn.  You would set a minimum number that is required for the week.

Then, at the beginning of each day, students would share how many stars they completed the previous night.  Students who chose two or three star homework would be given special recognition.  The total stars that the class earned for the previous night would be added up and recorded on a class homework thermometer.  At the end of the week, if the class met their goal in stars (TBD by the teacher and posted at the top of the thermometer) the class would earn a reward, like playing Mind Soccer. (A wonderful WBT review game that students will beg you to play.)

I have added my own little twist.  I am going create a display on the wall by the thermometer called "Star Homework".  Each student will have a blank hundred chart on the wall with his/her name on it.  At the end of every week I will record on the blank hundreds charts the total number of stars that each student has earned for the week.  When a student has earned 100 stars he/she will automatically move up one level on the Super Improvers Board and will earn a trip to the treasure chest.  The treasure chest is a big deal, because there are only two ways that you can earn it in my room, and this is one of them.  I will show you what the wall looks like when I have it done.

Below is a copy of my homework cover sheet for next year.  I have chosen to use nightly reading and the   Super Speed Math game for one star, math or phonics review pages for two stars, and writing about nightly reading for three stars.  What you choose is up to you.  WBT encourages reading, review games like Super Speed Math and Super Speed Reading, and writing.

Team Ray’s Star Homework

Name_________________________

Students are required to do one star homework each night.  Two and three star homework  is optional.  Students will keep track of the total stars they earn each week.  When 100 stars are earned, students will move up a level on the Super Improver Board, and a prize will be given.

Monday

One star homework:  Read for 15 minutes. Include attached phonic’s story.  Fill out log for credit.       

       Practice Super Speed Math facts. ______________________

                                                                          Parent  Signature

Two star homework:  Complete all one star homework and math or phonics practice page.

Three star homework:  Complete all one and two star homework and write three or more sentences about your nightly reading. To receive credit, writing must be your personal best.

                                                                     Tuesday

One star homework:  Read for 15 minutes. Include attached phonic’s story.  Fill out log for credit.       

       Practice Super Speed Math facts. ______________________

                                                                             Parent  Signature

Two star homework:  Complete all one star homework and math or phonics practice page.

Three star homework:  Complete all one and two star homework and write three or more sentences about your nightly reading. To receive credit, writing must be your personal best.

                                                                            Wednesday

One star homework:  Read for 15 minutes. Include attached phonic’s story.  Fill out log for credit.       

       Practice Super Speed Math facts. ______________________

                                                                            Parent  Signature

Two star homework:  Complete all one star homework and math or phonics practice page.

Three star homework:  Complete all one and two star homework and write three or more sentences about your nightly reading. To receive credit, writing must be your personal best.

                                                                           Thursday

One star homework:  Read for 15 minutes. Include attached phonic’s story.  Fill out log for credit.       

       Practice Super Speed Math facts. ______________________

                                                                          Parent  Signature

Two star homework:  Complete all one star homework and math or phonics practice page.

Three star homework:  Complete all one and two star homework and write three or more sentences about your nightly reading. To receive credit, writing must be your personal best.