Teacher Resource Page for Mathematics

100 Club
Homework Strategy

Please direct questions to Amy Lauderdale.

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Homework Strategy from Amy Lauderdale.  Amy says:

     I have tried every trick in the book to motivate students to attempt their assignments.   (I teach 10-12 mathematics.)  During the last half of the second semester I tried this strategy:

     I put up a "100 Club" sign and printed out the names in BIG letters for all students who had no grade less than a 100 on homework (I grade homework based on effort, not accuracy).  Those in the "100 Club" could choose one problem on tests to skip without losing points.

     I have been simply amazed at the attention this got from high school juniors and seniors.  I select one student each week for my:

  • Mathematician of the Week - for top students
  • Scott Patterson Improvement Award - for students showing long-term ("significant and sustained") improvements.  Named after a murdered student.  This award is prominently displayed.
  • Attitude Award - for students who are giving me their best all the time, who wouldn't qualify for "Improvement" and whose grades are not very good.

     I told them I would start over this 9-weeks.  They have been pestering me every day about when I would put it up.  Yesterday I handed them a 4x6 index card and let them design it however they wanted and put it up.  I thought some of these big, "bad" boys wouldn't want to participate in anything so "childish".   They loved it most of all.

     I have some really "lazy" ones who have done little homework, doing all homework now.  In fact, there are no more than 2 or 3 in each class who DIDN'T get in the 100 club yesterday.

     As soon as they have a single homework less than 100 their name comes down.  I have never had students this motivated to at least get the 100 on the homework. 

     My point is simply...any kind of recognition like this is very motivational.  They love seeing their name up there.  I also give certificates and "award pencils" for these awards (not the  "100 Club" ... they get to skip a problem on tests for that).  Even some of those tough high school boys won't use their pencil, but save it as a souvenir.  We sometimes forget that high school students are still kids at heart and need this kind of self-esteem booster.

     Now, I have to find some trick to get them motivated to try to "understand", not just complete it.