Math Homework Information

This information was emailed home before winter break and again today.  Homework checks are open notes/books and have 4 problems - 2 are exact homework problems (that we've already graded together) and two are just like those but with different numbers to check understanding.

Dear Rio Norte Parents,

In an effort to continually improve our teaching practice and give
meaningful feedback to our students, the math teachers at Rio Norte
will be making a slight change to the way in which we check homework.
We will still be assigning homework, but instead of checking for
completion, we will be informally assessing it with a homework
“knowledge check” instead.

Previously, we had included grades based on homework completion,
which did not always reflect student understanding of a concept.  The
purpose of homework is mastery of the concepts and to help students
prepare for their assessments, in order to advance to the next level of
mathematics.  Expectations for homework will still remain the same
(writing down the problems, showing work, checking answers and
reworking incorrect answers).    

The homework knowledge checks will give students immediate feedback
on how well they are understanding new concepts.  This gives students time,
if needed, before tests and quizzes to seek help or practice the concepts
more thoroughly.

We’re excited to see students take ownership of the task of doing their
homework for understanding, verses just getting it done.  We want the
students to be aware of their level of understanding while they are learning.  
This life skill will help improve learning and will carry over into other subjects
as well.

Sincerely,

Rio Norte Math Department