Interesting Websites

Now that the end of the year is approaching, I thought you might want to look at some interesting websites.The first one is for those of you that work with ESL or beginner readers. You can get a free list of the 300 instant words everyone needs to know.

drfrysreading.com

2. This is to help you teach life skills and character in middle school:

goodcharacter.com

3. This website has some interesting suggestions for some fun projects for the last weeks of school. Look for the Grades 6-8 tab.

ReadWriteThink.org

4. The last one is a site where educators can create, edit, and share classroom resources and lesson content. This one is a scholastic site.

http://teachershare.scholastic.com

I hope these websites will help you. 

Homeworkopoly

I walked into Ralph Carnesi's room, one of our language arts teachers, and notice a "monopoly board" posted on his wall. I asked him what it was for and he wrote the following: 

In my classroom, Homeworkopoly is used as an incentive for my students to do their homework.  I usually bring the game out after winter break when my students' interest in doing their homework assignments starts to wain.  It is a totally positive experience with no negatives, except not being allowed to play. 

To qualify, my students must do their homework for the week which includes completing their Accelerated  Reader log.  Not completing any assignments in a week's time disqualifies them from Homeworkopoly.  

I have my students make their own game pieces by having them make their own personalized characters.

As my students roll the dice they move around the board.  At each space I have an activity the student can choose to do if he or she wishes.  Attached to each activity is a reward for free soda, chocolate bars, free homework coupons, etc.  The students have one full week to complete the activity assigned to each space.  If the student completes the activity and turns it in, they are eligible for the prize.  

We play Homeworkopoly every Friday.  The whole game takes about 15 minutes and the kids love it.

These are some sites that will help you create your own Homeworkopoly. 

• Download HWopoly Game tokens 
• These are examples of Mr. Carnesi's homeworkopoly characters: Download Characters 
• This is the official website: http://www.teachnet.com/homeworkopoly/

Here are photos of Mr. Carnesi and his homeworkopoly boards:

Scholastic-My Homework Friend

All of the teacher advisors recently submitted their views on their homework policy.  If you would like to read our ideas, please take look at the following article:

The Homework Dilemma