Math Homework format
How to approach and format your homework for maximum learning
full credit, accuracy, and speed when you need to figure out why you got a problem wrong
Your homework should look like the page below.
How to do your math homework for the week effectively
Remember this is 5 DAYS of math work!
Make a plan to practice your multiplication facts most weeks and get your parent signature that you studied for at least 4 days. Occasionally you will be assigned to study for a test and I’ll lay how techniques for studying.
Get organized:
Make a plan for when you will do which sections- write the day of the week you will do each thing next to it on the check list.
Gather all the worksheets (Bluey pages if any, Class handouts if any,) put them in order
Get lined paper and make headings for any textbook work you’ll need to do this week.
Put it all in order and staple the HW Checklist on top. Put all the worksheets (Bluey/class handouts) & lined paper for textbook worksheets in order. Staple the HW Checklist on top. Now you have your week’s HW organized. Store that either in the pocket of your binder OR on a clipboard until you finish it. This should be in the order that it is listed on the checklist.
Read assigned pages in the textbook to review what we learned in class
Watch and sometimes take notes to review (main videos are hyperlinked to the HW checklist. Additional videos are down below in the Chp Resources section of this page. They are organized by chapter.)
Do=Practice: Divide your work into 4-5 days. Do about 10-15 problems on those days. Check off work that is done. (Some prefer to highlight finished work) You are doing a combination of
HW handouts (papers usually given in class, occasionally linked in the drop down menu and Chp Resource section. This is mostly Math 7)
Textbook problems (format using the example below. ALWAYS SHOW ALL YOUR STEPS!!!
Bluey (M7) /Greenie (M8) workbook pages - this is what we call the “Homework and Practice Workbook” for Math 7 and Math 8
Sometimes write definitions and formulas in your spiral notebook
Check your answers (in back of book for odd problems and even problems are posted on the resource page for each chapter). Redo missed problems (review classwork/KIN/Notes or watch a video on the resource page)
Staple all your work with your HW Checklist on top. Put it in order that it is listed on the checklist.
Self-assess your homework using the checklist. Write in the point values you have earned. If you want help with specific problems during tutoring, right those problems in the box near the self-assessment checklist.
Turn it in at the beginning of class the following week.
Formatting Instructions for Homework
SHOW YOUR WORK!!
Paper - Use wide ruled lined paper unless we are doing graphing.
Heading- In the upper right hand corner write
Your first and last name: “Monica Garcias”
Class title: “Pre-algebra + M8” or “Math 7”
Week Number and Date: “Wk 1, August 30, 2023”
Title - Chp and Section, page number: “Chp 6.1, pg 300-305”
In this example photo, the assignment is before any of the chapters so it’s called “Pre-Course Test” and the page numbers are Roman numerals “p. xxvii-xxviii” Optional, you can list the problems you’re doing on this page
In the corrections section I’ve handwritten instructions on how to format your homework.
Work Page(s) - this is thend photo labeled “Sample Work Page” - This is what your homework is going to look like every week. I wrote my name at the top of my work page as if I were a student in the class. You use your name— first and last.
Fold your second sheet of paper vertically so that the right edge touches the red margin or a slightly smaller area on the right for correcting problems. This leaves a little space on the right for corrections when you get a problem wrong.
You’ll need multiple pieces of paper to do your HW.
Pencil- do math ONLY in pencil. Use a dark enough lead that it is easy to read.
Problems - copy the problem accurately from the textbook and write it on the line next to the red margin. (You do not need to copy the directions or all of a word problem. For word problems write down the main facts.)
Work - show your work! Don’t do calculations in your head or with a calculator unless I tell you to do so.
Answers - draw a box around the answer or highlight your answer.
Spacing - skip a line between each problem.
Correct your work - use the answers in the back of the textbook to see if you got the problem right. Put a slash mark through the problem number of the problem you miss. Use a different color for that slash mark. Then re-attempt the problems you missed on the right side of the paper. Once you get it correct, put a star by that problem.
Self-assess your homework using the “Self-Assessment Form” We’ll do this in class the first time.
Look at my sample work sheet to the right. See how I write the problem, show my work, box my answer or high light it, correct my work in a different color (I used a blue pencil) then redo the problem on the right-hand side and put a star by it if I got it right that time. Then I skip a line before writing another problem.
How to get 100% on HW assignments
Homework is for learning from our mistakes! Figuring out what was happening in our thought process that didn’t work and then correcting that error is when we grow. You HW point system prioritizes learning from mistakes.
Your homework is worth 25 points for each assignment.
2 pts - Correct heading (Name, date, HW WK 1, Chp, section 1.2 & prob number at top of pages)
10pts - all problems attempted (not including SQUARE or PENTAGON bonus problems)
5 pts -all problems written down, steps shown, answer boxed
5 pts — all problems corrected in different color, and reattempted if wrong
3 pts took multiplication quiz at home & practiced multiplication
How to get extra credit on your homework
1 bonus point for doing SQUARE problems too (SQUARE problems are for a standard pre-algebra class.) 1 extra point = 5% extra credit
Another bonus point for doing PENTAGON problems as well for a total of 2 bonus points. (PENTAGON problems are for honors-prealgebra.)
2 bonus points = 10% extra credit