Maximize learning by making grades more meaningful and motivating to students. With the support of this practical guide, professional learning communities (PLCs) will discover a clear road map for implementing a standards-based grading system at the secondary level. The authors provide all of the actionable ideas and tools needed to not only…

Gaming, an integral part of many students' lives outside school, can provide an engaging platform for focusing students on important disciplinary core concepts as an entry into developing students' understanding of these concepts through science practices. This article highlights how S'cape can be used to support student learning aligned with the…

To encourage students to do routine homework assignments, teachers might occasionally assign silly homework assignments (such as "Brush your teeth with the hand you usually don't use"). Class discussions and parent reactions provide feedback. A list of suggestions and a reproducible page are offered. (JL)

Relates how serendipity led the author to discover the power of Polaroid pictures to motivate her first-grade students and their parents to do homework. Notes that the technique works for many in-class activities and projects (many of them relating to families). (SR)

For homework assignments to be effective, they must serve to develop skills and help students gain a sense of accomplishment. Suggestions for developing interesting, positive homework assignments that use contracts and skill cards are offered. (DF)

Discusses how to use homework as an effective teaching method and offers creative sample assignments. (SRT)

Four essential steps toward effective mathematics teaching are presented, concerning enthusiasm, discussion and questioning, homework, and evaluation. (MNS)

Encouraging interactive learning and motivating K-5 students, this book presents step-by-step directions, drawings, black line masters, and photographs for 48 thematic classroom projects that use everyday items. The first chapter discusses the history of the "bag ladies." The second chapter describes how to gather, make, and store classroom…

Two methods to facilitate classroom management and initiate student responsibilities are presented. The first describes student responsibilities for making up missed tests or assignments. The second describes a student scorecard to help students keep track of their grades and act as a motivational technique. (MDH)

Offers suggestions to make homework more beneficial to students and teachers. Discusses motivating students, planning assignments, grading, communicating teacher expectations, and maintaining consistency with respect to homework. (MDH)

This book provides practical, commonsense strategies successfully used by teachers to help students become active, responsible learners. In general, these strategies are centered on mutual respect, not bossiness; collaboration, not isolation; commitment to learning, not fear of failure; and the dignity of all, not praise or rewards for a few. Each…