Sunday, April 29, 2012

Homework

Sorry about being MIA for a bit. To say that I have been stressed is probably the understatement of the year. Someone stole my husband's identity. If you have been through this, you know how horrible it is and I truly feel for you. If you have not, holy cannoli, all I can say is SAFEGUARD all of your important numbers like they are a child's life! Someone took his important info and has had a field day with it. Money Our entire savings is gone. Bank statements have been hacked into. The amount of time that has gone into the whole ordeal has been crazy. His bank has been, to say the least, less than helpful. We had to file police reports, close accounts, will have to hire an attorney to sort it all out, had to contact the States Attorney, put hold's on credit reports, and will most likely need a new social security number. To top it all off, his job is still rocky. (I crossed all this out on July 12th... I am not sure if I will ever know the truth about how my life fell apart.)

The only things that are keeping me from completely drowning right now are my cute lil' pumpkin's face

and all things school related! School is one of the best distractions for me. It gives me focus. I am ever so grateful to have a job that I love. I'm creating new things for the end of the year, working on wrapping up the end of year with a bang with my Kinder-Hoppers, and also, thinking about all the new and fun things that I will implement next year!

I believe that once upon a time I had said I would post what I do for homework in my classroom, so today is the day! I begin sending homework home in September. It's a HUGE packet for the entire month.

Here is the explanation of homework that I send at the beginning of the year.


The Homelinks are part of Everyday Mathematics. I cannot post the Homelinks, please do not ask me to post them or send them to you. They are copyright protected. Beginning in October, I have students practice writing a letter each week. I send the practice sheets home attached to the homework calendar. We use Zaner-Bloser Handwriting. These are also copyright protected, but I am sure you could find practice pages to use.

I've gotten LOADS of questions about how to get parents/students on board with completing their homework packets, and unfortunately, I have no miracle for you. I will tell you that each year is different. Some years I have wonderful participation and others are not so great. I give a very lengthy talk at Kindergarten Orientation about why homework benefits our kiddos and my expectations. I also give students incentives to complete their packets. If they return the calendar with 5 initialed assignments a week, they get stickers stapled to their calendar. When they turn in their family project, I usually will give them one Smartie (that's right...a single Smartie, lol, it does the trick). Their Book It count is also on the bottom of the calendar, which is a motivator, as well. I really try to make a big deal out of homework that is returned, but to be honest, I do not make a big deal out of homework that is not returned. I just don't believe that holding a five or six year old completely accountable is appropriate for my classroom dynamic.

Here are the calendars for next year, yipee! One thing I can cross off for next year, exciting!! I have attached the games and such that I have, some I haven't had the chance to adjust yet or create yet. I hope you find something that you can use for your classroom. I don't mind if you change them or just use pieces to suit your needs, but please, please, please, give credit when it is due and do not sell or post them as your own.

I love all the comments and emails, you all make me feel so loved. I truly appreciate it! If you download or use anything, please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

Shannon

September Homework Calendar (September )Letters and Sounds Go Fish October Homework Calendar November Homework Calendar November Homework Sight Word Uno December Homework Calendar Meltdown (December Homework) January Homework Calendar Sight Word Memory (January Homework) February Homework Meltdown Pig Game (Feb Homework) March Homework Pop Flip It Down April Homework Crazy Carrots (April Homework) May Homework Calendar

34 comments:

  1. Those are great! I am so sorry about your husband's identity...that is horrible!!
    (new follower)
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

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  2. These are great, Shannon! I love that you have a game each month for families to play!!

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  3. Love that you posted about homework. It is not my favorite, but I can't wait to search through all your ideas and try to get more organized. Oh, boy I feel so bad about the identity theft, what a terrible thing to happen. Your little guy is the cutest thing. I love seeing him in your posts. Thanks for all the great info. I'll keep you in my prayers.
    Tonia
    mrsvento.blogspot

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  4. Thank you for taking the time to share all of these wonderful resources with us. You are the best! Saying a prayer that everything will get worked out.

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  5. You are awesome for sharing (as usual)! I hope your situation gets resolved. You have my thoughts and prayers, so stressful!

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  6. This year I had my parents sign a homework contract saying they would help their students complete and return homework and that if there were any concerns about it they would discuss them with me and we would make adjustments together.

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  7. wow!! thanks for sharing your hard work with us. praying life gets better for y'all!

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  8. WOW is about all I can say!!!! I am so sorry to hear of your struggles with identity theft. Please keep us updated. It is so sad that people do these things to others and what is more frustrating is that there is so little we can do about it. It is a good reminder to all of us!! My love goes out to you and your family!!!

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  9. Thanks for sharing all of these HW ideas! I make a HW calendar for each month, too. I include two activities to do each night( Mon. thru Thurs.). Like you, the response varies from year to year but I feel good about giving parents ideas about what to do at home and keeping them in the loop about what we are learning in the classroom.
    I really like how you include family involvement projects and games for each month along with the HW.
    I hope your life settles down! I cannot imagine having one's identity stolen~ you'll be in my thoughts and prayers!
    Thanks again for sharing and inspiring my teaching!

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  10. Thank you, Shannon, for all of your hard work. Your little peanut is a doll, and I hope things start to look up for all of you. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  11. I actually started my homework calendar for next year. I've never done one before. We had a K-team in our county that made HW pages to go with the Reading Street series and I like it, but wish I could get more out of HW. You've got some great ideas that will help me prepare for next year and if I post, I will definitely link you to it! Thanks for sharing and praying that things work out with your husbands id theft. I can't imagine!

    Laura
    Kinder Kraziness

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  12. Ick. That is so scary. Thinking about you guys!!

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  13. So sorry to hear about the identity theft - hope all is soon straightened out. I have loved all your postings and have read all your archived posts. I have enjoyed doing your poems with my class. On an earlier April post, you included 5 May poems, but just the homework part. Are the actual poems posted somewhere else? Usually you have had a color version and a black and white version. I would love to have the other 2 versions of these poems. Thanks so much! Ada Frank
    alfrank@carolina.rr.com

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  14. Sorry you are having a difficult time. Sometimes it is such a blessing to be able to go to school where things are "normal" when your life has gone haywire. Try to remember that all of the difficult things we face make us stronger. You and your family will be in my prayers. Thanks for all of the wonderful things you post. Hope things will get better soon. Kim

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  15. Sorry you are having such a tough time. Sometimes it is wonderful to be able to go to school where things are "normal" when your life has gone haywire. I will be praying for you and your family. Thanks for all the great resources you publish. I always look forward to your posts. Hope things get better soon. Kim

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  16. Sending thoughts and prayers. Happened to us when my husband was deployed for a year. Hang in there!

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  17. That's just terrible to hear. I'm really sorry :(

    I will keep your sweet family in my thoughts & prayers.

    Thank you so much for these freebie.

    Color Me Kinder

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  18. Hi Shannon, Thank You for taking the time to give us update and all the wonderful ideas for helping us as teachers.So sorry to hear about the identity theft-that is stressful and everyone worst nightmare. Hopefully they will get who is behind all this. Stay strong-Your in my prayers. A positive note your little pumpkin is getting so BIG-and just soooo cute. Take Care-Helga (Canada)

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  19. Hey Shannon - Just letting you know, on the November Calendar, the 18th is twice so the last week is thrown off. =)
    Thanks again for the great ideas!

    Laura
    Kinder Kraziness

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  20. Sweet Shannon,

    My heart is hurting for you and all of the frustrations your family is going through. I think of the song "Blessings" and how sometimes are blessings come through raindrops and our healing through tears. Look at that adorable blessing you get to see everyday! =)

    Thank you for the blessing you are not only to the kiddos you teach but all of the hearts you touch through your blog. Can you send all of your kiddos to my 1st grade class???!????

    Hugs and bloggy blessings to you,

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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  21. This is AMAZING!!!! Thanks SO much for sharing this awesome resource with us.

    Kimberly

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  22. I am amazed that you continue to share your hard work with us ( for FREE!) when you have so much on your plate. My admiration for you continues. Wishing you the best.
    jennifer

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  23. I'm sorry you are having to deal with that. Your baby is so cute:) Thanks for the freebies!

    learnplayandhavefun.blogspot.com

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  24. Wow! I have been looking for some meaningful homework without feeling like I am re-creating the wheel each week or month. I feel like I just hit the jackpot! Thanks once again for your generosity in sharing!

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  25. Wow...love the Homework Calendars and Family Projects. Great way to get the family involved!

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  26. thank you for always being generous and sharing your wonderful ideas! Thinking of you and your family :)

    Jessica

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  27. Thank you for all the wonderful homework ideas. I didn't care for the homework we did this year as a grade level and want to present this to them instead. I think they'll love it!

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  28. Thanks friend! Already in the process of tweaking this for myself :)

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  29. Thanks so much for all your wonderful ideas and for sharing them. I aways return to your blog and I am pleasantly surprised to find new ideas to use in my classroom. Although in Canada our PLO are not as intense as yours in the US, I still find ways of using your units. So thanks!

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  30. Great ideas as always! These will be very helpful when I start planning for the year! Thank you so much!

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  31. Thank you so much for this homework! Praying for you and your family!

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  32. I love all of the stuff that you post! I find it very useful and productive! Thank you for taking the time to create it and share it!

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