In each of my classes I assign homework. This homework must be done.
However, I do not take up the homework for a grade due to some students
simply copying someone else's homework. Instead, I give a ten to twenty
question quiz over the concepts covered by the homework and topics
explained in class. When you receive an email that gives a due date for
homework, that means that either on that date or soon after a quiz will be
given over the material. Your student needs to be prepared. If your student
comes home and says that the quiz was not over the homework, I assure you
it was over the concepts in the homework, and material covered in class. It quite
often does apply those concepts to different questions to determine understanding.
Students in my classes need to study for understanding and application of concepts
not just memorizing the content. If they have a quiz over the homework concepts
it forces them to try for that understanding not just doing homework and turning it in.
I have found this method works best, and as a result major exam grades have
increased dramatically.
In addition to this I have another policy. If a student makes a score
of 70 percent or less on any quiz or test, they must attend what I call
Friday School. Friday School is in my room immediately after
school on Friday. During Friday School the student is to go over
the quiz or test and review what they missed. Science is a cumulative
subject. If the student misses something on this test, they cannot simply
ignore it and move on. The concepts appear on test after test along with
new material. If I must cancel a Friday School session due to a conflict in
my schedule then they must attend the next Friday. Any student who
makes a score higher than 70 percent may choose to attend Friday School
to review what they missed as well. For them it is an option.
Help me keep your student on task, and on the road to success.
Jim Hicks
