Painless
Homework
Geraldine
Luvfluffer writes my kids' homework every night....in authentic,
cross-curriculum fun! Students get her letter on Monday. One
night they rewrite it correcting spelling (that Geraldine
embeds selectively in the letter) and grammar. Tuesday night
they might answer math questions that are embedded. Wednesday
night they might be asked to answer her letter using standard
English. One Thursday night they might be asked to write a
math problem for her...and answer it. It's funny how she always
seems to reflect the current schoolwork. No more homework
than that is required every week!
Here's
an example of her letter:
deer
boyz and gurls. i am so glad you have miz red for yer
teachr this year she is relly fun and she is my freind
she done says that i can rite yer homework for you? my
cousin jethro Sneezelouder brung 30 marbles over to play
with me he say i could have half and he give me 12. is
that right. i shore wish i could come to yer class sumtime
but i has to wash dishes for my mom i lick you as much
as a perty flower. please right bak geraldine
Monday
Night: Rewrite Geraldine's letter in standard English.
Tuesday:
Answer her math question and explain to her why it is
correct.
Wednesday:
Write a math question for Geraldine. Answer it on another
piece of paper. Be ready to challenge the class with it
before you send it go Geraldine.
Thursday:
Write a one-page letter to Geraldine.
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You'd be surprised how involved the class gets with Geraldine!
One of my students even brought a care package of food for her
at Christmas. They love writing to her and helping her grow,
and they rejoice when they see she is making progress!
But, I do admit that Geraldine has trouble keeping up with answering,
so sometimes she gets an older (or former) class to help out!
More
Geraldine Letters:
Letter
# 1
Letter
#2
Letter
#3
Letter
#4
Letter
#5
Ideas
for Debriefing Geraldine's Homework
(Geraldine
is a fictional student created by Suzy Red.) |