Make-up Work

Last year my homeroom was one of those wonderful groups where there were very, very few students absent all year long, but I could almost always count on a few students being absent from my other group each day, which has a tendency to create a real challenge for make-up work.  I don't have a really strict make-up work policy, because there are a lot of things we do that can't be made up (work stations, whole group projects, experiments, etc.)  However,  I also have assignments that I really need my students to complete for assessment and grading purposes.  It took me a while, but I've finally found a system that I love, because it's super easy to keep organized!

I bought these magnetic folder bins from Lakeshore Learning.  (I have two since I have two groups of students.)  I labeled both bins with the homeroom teacher's name, and those bins are where I keep each group's make-up work.  The bins are always in the same place and are very accessible to students.

I also made these return address labels on Vista Print, and I stick them on any assignments my students miss while they are out.  I write their name and date they were absent on the label and circle where I want them to complete the make-up work.  I personally don't like to send work home that I will record a grade on just because I want to make sure the student does it independently.

Once the label is on the paper, I place the paper in the make-up work bin for students to collect when they return to school.  It's super quick and easy, and once your routines are established it is almost seamless.