Are you looking for a motivating, differentiated homework system to help kids review the skills they've learned all year? Ready for a change of pace after standardized testing is done? Try something new this spring!
Fun Folder homework is a system I created several years ago by writing open-ended activities on file folders. Students pick out a different folder to take home each night. They complete the folder’s activity on a sheet of notebook paper and fill out the tracking form reflection on the front of the chart so they know which folders they’ve completed.
Download the free Fun Folder Tracking Sheet and Fun Folder Explanation Letter For Parents here. You'll also find:
- Suggestions for types of homework activities you can use in fun folders
- 9 reasons to convince parents and principals that fun folders work
- Tips for integrating fun folders into your existing homework routine
- Ideas for collecting, assessing, organizing, and leveling fun folders
This is a fantastic system that will get kids excited about practicing their skills at home, and saves you time (no more standing over the photocopier running off boring worksheets.) I also love thatit allows for distributed practice, meaning that students must retain their knowledge of skills and concepts all year, rather than completing homework only the current chapter, testing, and forgetting! Fun folders is the perfect way to revisit the skills you've been teaching and help students retain and extend what they've learned.
Enjoy!
Angela Watson
