Keeping Track of the Assignments

I penalized students for turning in homework or daily practice assignments late, which was after a short one class safety buffer.  If you didn't get a chance, you can read more by clicking here.

How did I keep track of what was turned in and when?  I would of loved to have one of those time stamp machine things, but alas there are two words to describe the problem...Teacher's Salary.

I kept track of all the incoming assignments by creating my own time stamp machine.  Here's what you need: A calendar, stamps, and ink pads.  I found a free printable calendar here at Hello, Cuteness!; stamps I purchased at Michael's (don't forget to use the weekly %-off coupons and your teacher discount); and the ink pads I picked up from a "free" bin from an outgoing teacher (these felt ink pads, found here, last longer, make less of a mess than the sponge kind, and are scented!).

Instructions:

1. Each day select a stamp and color and record it on the calendar.  Place only the stamp and color of the day out...or else students will get sneaky!  I have 23 different stamps and 7 different color inks...that's 23 x 7 = 161 possible combinations!
2. On the day an assignment is due (and you want to give a numerical grade for it) go around the room with a clipboard/tablet to record a grade for each student.  Any paper that is given full-credit is stamped with the corresponding stamp/color for the day.  These papers are not collected as the students were responsible for keeping them in their notebook/binder.  Incomplete papers are not stamped and also not collected (with the hopes that the student will make the attempt to complete it by the next class for full-credit).
3. If a student has an assignment to turn in that is not on time, then he or she should stamp the paper with the corresponding stamp/color for the day and physically place it in the proper basket. 
4. If any sheet of paper in the basket is missing a stamp or written detail of the assignment (i.e. Section 3.2 - p.342 #1-21odd), then it is returned to the student immediately without being recorded. (Do this consistently and they won't make the same mistake again).
5. If any sheet of paper in the basket is missing a name, it should be placed immediately on a "No Name" board.  (My "No Name" board consisted of a string with clothes pins).

Pros:

• Student's can't easily lie about when they turned in an assignment.
• You can fall behind with your grading and recording and still know when an assignment was turned in.
• Doesn't cost a ton.

Cons:

• Some students are slobs with ink.
• A desperate student can possibly acquire and use the same stamp/ink you used on a specific day and claim they turned in the assignment on time.

Tips:

• Keep a container of wet wipes in your room to clean the stamps.
• Put the stamp/ink out for the next day just before leaving, that way it's ready to go if you have an unexpected absence.
• Use felt ink pads.
• Give a mini lesson to the students on how to ink and stamp without making a mess.
• Display the stamped calendar for the students.
• Make sure you record the due date for each assignment in your gradebook.