I have been reading some wonderful blog posts for the last couple of years.  Actually lurking might be a better description.  I'm a little leery about starting my own blog.  Can I stand up to all your awesome blogs?

I've been teaching since 1999 and I always feel like there is more I can learn, better ways to teach.  I have recently been bitten by the Interactive Notebook bug.  I watch my students open up their bookbags or binders and papers go everywhere.  Like a big burp!  I love organization; binders, containers, color coding, thinking outside the box.  So this is right up my alley.

I am also teaching out of a new textbook for our district.  It is my third semester teaching out of College Prep Math, Core Connections Algebra 2.  I really like it but it is a new way of thinking for my students.  They are so use to being spoon-fed, skill-n-drill, that they are resisting talking about math, and forget about organizing their thoughts.  So I feel these books are part of the solution.

But my biggest dilemma is HOMEWORK!  If anyone has a solution for getting kids to do homework then I need to know.  My definition of doing homework is a student's own work and they take the time to check their answers.  If they still don't understand a problem after working the problem and checking their answer then they ask questions in class the next day.  I know Utopia, right?  But a girl can dream.  Their definition of doing homework is slapping some stuff on paper and turning it in.  Or they copy from another classmate.  Don't get me wrong, I have alot of students who actually do their homework.  But I am trying to change the habits of those that don't see the purpose in it.  Any suggestions are gladly accepted.