... I Do Homework Too!

I don't know about you, but I don't give tons of homework! Perhaps I'm crazy, perhaps this is brilliant -- I have no idea.

I've posted about homework before, but in case you haven't read that past post (though you should!) if I assign homework, I typically portion out part of the following day to go over the homework together especially if it is a math intensive homework like many of the chemistry ones are. 

When this is the case, I get to do homework too! Hooray! 

Practicing Stoichiometry

I'm not sure if this is because I'm a newbie teacher still, but when I assign several problems, I work through them, showing my work, just like I would expect my students to do. Why?

1. Easy Reference

I can easily see how to work through the problem so when I go to write it on the board, I can make sure its easy-to-read and organized. 

2. Pinpoint Trouble Problems

There always seems to be a tricky problem hidden within an otherwise straight forward assignment. The only way to remember and spot them is to do them yourself. If I'm spot checking homework, or looking for practice problems, I choose these problems first to see if students were able to handle them. 

3. Answer Keys for Students

During certain units, I will give students multiple sheets of practice problems to work on in class at their own pace, with a partner, or in groups. Since they can start and work on whichever problems they wish, I like to have an answer key available for them to check their work. I always show my work the way I expect students to show their work. When they check their answer and have the incorrect answer, they know to go back and find what they did wrong. I feel like this is silently reinforcing the reason for why they have to show their work (even though I mention it continuously). 

4. Extra Practice!

Some concepts get rusty when you wait an entire year between teaching them (gas laws anyone?). Doing the homework helps to remind my brain of how to work out the problems. I will be the first to admit that I have  made many mistakes while working through practice problems in front of class, but doing the homework ahead of time at least minimizes some of them. It's always good to brush up on skills! 

Do my other fellow teachers also do homework? How to you brush up on your skills and target tricky problems?