"Flipped" math homework simply means that my students were given time in class (I had a 90 minute math block) to complete their HW. Why? Well, first of all they had support in the classroom if they got stuck. They could ask me or another student for help. Second, they got the valuable practice time they needed on the types of questions they would be having on their quarterly assessments. Third there were no more excuses for why homework was not completed.
Each Monday my students received their weekly math homework sheet which had problems for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on it aligned to the CCSS (Common Core State Standards) for math that were being coverd on the next interval assessment. These included new standards and review standards. Below is an example of a weekly homework sheet. (Click here to see full size Google doc.)
Here is another example of one of my homework sheets showing new skills and review skills on it.
During my math block, my students rotated through math stations. I used the word MATH to set up our stations. A and H were done every day by every student. M and T were done as needed or as time allowed, usually three times a week.
M - Manipulatives - Students work with hands-on materials or play games to reinforce skills.
A - At the Computer - Students complete work on websites such as IXL, LearnZillion, TenMarks
T - Teacher Time - This is where they meet with me for small group instruction.
H - Have a Go - This is where they work on their assignment and homework for the day.
By allowing my students to work on their math homework in class, I was there to offer support and correct misconceptions that arose. If for some reason a student didn't finish their homework during class then it had to be completed at home. I had my students show their homework to their parents each night and had the parents sign it. Each day we checked the previous day's work via our interactive whiteboard. I pulled up the Google document and we annotated right over it to show solutions.
Using this type of formative assessment allowed me to see each day how my students were doing in math. It also eliminated so many of the stresses that traditional homework can cause. Each and every one of my students had their needs met on a daily basis. Once a skill was taught and tested, my students knew they would be held accountable to remember it.
It will be great to start the 2014-2015 having all of my "flipped" math homework sheets ready to go.
Have you considered, or do you "flip" homework? What do you use for formative assessment? Please share in the comment section below.
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