Let's Work Together With this fun activity, students learn how to work with others and take responsibility for their part of a finished product. I organize my students into a small-group assembly line. Then I challenge them to make a product using materials I provide. Each student has the responsibility of adding a pArcticular part of the spider. Once groups have created their products, a designated, impartial student inspector determines if the groups' products pass muster.
Parents post the page on the refrigerator and students note each completed assignment.
At the end of the month, students bring the page back to class for a special certificate. I have my students purchase spiral notebooks in which they record all of the assignments given in class and check off when each is completed. Anything unchecked becomes homework, and kids take their organizers home to let parents know exactly what's on tap. When homework is done, both child and parents initial the list in the organizer so that the next day I know at a glance that the work is complete. To help students understand budgets, I give them a play money allowance and ask them to create a list of their needs and wants.