My personal guidleines for homework on the middle school level differ from that of the high school level. I prefer to give students indivudal daily homework pertaining to the subject we are discussing in class. I also allow them to summarize the lesson plan and discussion for the day at the end of the last 15 minutes of class. The students use cornel not taking so the summary should be easy. I dont really allow for the students to do homework in class becuase I feel they should be refreshing their minds with the topics discusssed at home. In terms of in class collaboration, I do a quarter group project within one of the lesson plans and allow them time to collaborate in class. This also allows me to see who is particpating and where the group is heading in terms of assignment.
I find that if I allow them to do homework in class most of the studnets are not using the time wisely and are socializing. I also find that if they read over the notes and do the homework at night they can particpate better in the discussions. In general most do th ehomework, there are a few that I keep in for recess if they did not do the homework.