Suggestions given in these books were modified and adapted to other titles that were included in the collection. Six of the bags include projects or the recording of activities that are to be brought to school and shared during the Tuesday morning meeting. Children are given the opportunity to reflect on what they have done during group discussions. The homework program also gives children an opportunity to participate in a system of record keeping that fosters a sense of numberness, number recognition, an awareness of numerical order, and the recording and reading of information on a chart. Math bags are tagged with an individual number and this number is recorded on a chart next to the child's name on a weekly basis.
Children can refer to the chart to see what bags they have already borrowed.
There is also a system of tags that are placed in individual pockets so that children can see the number of the math bag they currently have at home. Parents are encouraged to relate verbally or in writing any activities that they and their child have initiated themselves after reading the books. Parent reaction is recorded as a reference for teacher and student reflection, and to guide revisions to the suggested activities at a later date. Child centered homework bags help foster a positive partnership between home and school, and parents have become more familiar with the content of the Kindergarten Mathematics program. Harrington School closed in June 1996, and this program is presently being adapted to a second grade level for use in another St. John's school.