1) Homework Assignments
2) Due dates for Lab Reports
3) Dates of Tests or Quizzes
4) Other announcements important to the students
This aided both student and teacher to keep up with the regular day-to-day demands , as well as to communicate any changes in the schedule. For example, if the teacher chose to edit Class Objectives (either adding or deleting), or if a quiz date has been changed.
Students who had been absent missed these announcements and would usually ask me what the homework assignment was for the specific date. These daily announcements were eventually hand-written in a notebook I kept in the classroom -- a student who had missed the class could easily look it up.
The students could earn extra credit by writing the announcements every day. To be fair, this extra credit option needs to be shared -- there's always one student who would do it every day if he/she could.
Years later, I worked at a school that had its own website, and each teacher had a page with the expectation of posting announcements and correspond by email with students and parents. When I had this opportunity, I would repeat the Daily Announcements (which I had written in my Plan Book).
Today, many teachers have websites as the majority of students have Internet access. If you're starting a new website, here is some information to help you:
Here is a 2011 article that lists several website options:
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2011/02/10-ways-for-teachers-and-students-to.html
Here are a few other options not listed in the 2011 article:
http://classjump.com/
http://www.educatorpages.com/
http://teacherweb.com/
And here is a 2014 web page providing website reviews:
http://www.educationworld.com/awards/
If you develop a website (or already have one), I'd love to see it! Send me the address so I can check it out. To write me, click on the "Contact" button at the top of this page.
I hope your summer is going well! During this time, you can purchase my lab book "Chemistry on a Budget" at amazon.com -- it contains 13 labs that require consumable materials you can purchase at local stores -- and it's only $20!
http://www.amazon.com/Chemistry-Budget-Marjorie-R-Heesemann/dp/0578129159/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389410170&sr=1-1&keywords=chemistry+on+a+budget
Each lab is presented with two possible report formats -- both labs use the same procedure but each has a different conclusion -- one with 10 questions to be answered as a conclusion, the other with a full laboratory report required. This gives the teacher the option of what type of report is desired, and each version is designed to be just two pages. This way the teacher can photocopy just one 2-sided page per student (saves paper).
It will take a little time to get to you, so order it and enjoy your summer vacation!
Have a good week!