My daughter is in the open classroom so she doesn't have homework, or not much. She had some yesterday. The teacher sent home a baggie and asked kids to find something that was "the color of the earth" so she went into the yard and collected leaves. I think that's the kind of homework a kindergartener should have. Her friend in one of the other classes has more traditional homework, he has to trace his name 5 times and trace the numbers 1-3.

I notice some of the parents getting antsy and worrying that the kids aren't learning in the open class. First, it's only week 2. TAKE A CHILL PILL, DUDE. Second, Frances brings home stuff she's done in class like pages with numbers on them (written all backwards and sideways but whatever) so I know that there's learning going on in there.

[edited for pronouns]

We did not get homeowrk until 2nd grade. I remember a big transition-- a "You are big kids now! You can do homework!". Until 7th grade or so, it would be just a little match worksheet, or memorizing multiplication tables or the state capitals.

Bitches, help me!

I'm putting together some open-ended questions to assess that my seniors actually did their summer reading. They are bringing the two books they chose to read to class tomorrow and will have the period to write about them. I want to get away from asking factual questions that could be gleaned from SparkNotes, and I need suggestions. I'm going to give them a list of question choices they will have to pick from. Some of my initial thoughts:

• Select the character that is most/least like you. Explain how you are similar/different.
• Cite a passage in the book that stands out for you. Describe the effect this passage had on you or why it was so memorable.
• If this book were made into a movie, what would its soundtrack be? Describe two songs you would use and why you chose them.
• Describe some aspect of this story that displays the author's craft as a writer.

Other ideas?

P.S. One of my cute little ninth graders just appeared in my classroom door: "M. T., would you like a piece of French toast?" Random and adorable. I love this job.

Medical-ma for your mom, Suzi.

Oh Suzi, ~ma for your mom and for you.

Kristin, I like questions 1 & 2, but I wonder if 3 really forces them to demonstrate that they read the whole book. Maybe ask who would they cast in it and how do those actors/actresses fit the part?

Since we're talking about slacking slackers who slack, and since you're trying to ensure they've read the book, I feel compelled to point out that a quick thinking student could probably take number two and run with it despite having never cracked the book. Um, or so I hear, anyway.

However, I think it's also a question that could be really fascinating (both to write and to read) if you have actually read and thought about the book.

Burrell, thank you. I'm not concerned that every question show me they've read the entire book; I'm hoping that I will get that picture from their responses as a whole. Still, that's a valid point. I had steered away from the actor questions because teachers overuse it at the high school level, but that's a good possibility.

Instead of actors, they could cast from their classmates?

Man it used to burn my toast when my best friend, who has a steeltrap memory, would read only ever read the Cliff notes for our summer reading would then do better than me on the multiple choice tests we'd have to take about the books. And I ALWAYS did the reading. So, in other words, YEAH Kristin!!! I love all of those questions!

eta hope whatever is going on with your mom is easily diagnosed and quickly treated, Suzi!