Handing Out Homework (Thick Description)

Table by table students were called up to the kidney table to collect homework.  This has been the routine in my classroom for the last three weeks.  The sheer joy and lack of guilt can be seen in the actions and faces of many students as they come up to my table to collect a stack of February book orders and decline the reading and spelling homework that is offered.  One student who is strong in math approaches the table, responds with a quick "nothing".  While taking a closer look at what is sitting next to me she asks for last week's math homework.  The next group of students slowly approaches the table to accept or deny the homework.  Those die hard homework fans approach with a confident "I'll take both" before they even scan the sheets on the table.  They are the students who know that they easy reward of a whapping two sticks awaits each sheet of paper they return tomorrow.  Meanwhile, others only take spelling homework because "everyone knows that is the easiest to do".

Half of the next summoned table comes at a slow pace while the remaining students from the table pop up out of their seat and prance like Peter Pan does through the sky on their way over.  "Could they be this excited for homework this week?"  I think to myself as I proudly perk myself up in my chair.  Of course not, I'm also giving out book orders... come on!  The eager spirit of the last table can be seen through every member of the next group to approach.  Now defeated by the last table, I expect this response is for the book orders, not the homework.  However, each student collects at least once assignment that is offered.

As the last table to be called approaches yet another student inquires about math homework.  This student is one that struggles with math.  My grin from ear to ear conveys "I'm so proud of him for asking" as I answer him.  I start to ponder how many more students would like to have seen math homework today?