These are two sheets I hand out at the beginning of the year as well. I think they give a pretty good feel for how I feel about writing assignments in math AND organized notebooks...

"Mathematical Reflections" Writing Assignments

As part of your homework grade, you will be expected to write a reflection of the current lesson: 1/3 of your homework grade will be these writing assignments. (Which works out to he a total of 13-1/3% of your total grade!) In your notebook section labeled "Reflections", you will write no fewer than 8 lines on any or all of the following topics:

• what was today's lesson about?
  
• what did or didn't make sense to me (questions I have about the assignment).
  
• definitions of terms I'm struggling with and/or formulas I need to commit to memory (in semi- complete sentences).
  
• what my study plan is for the upcoming test or what areas I need to studv more before the test.
  
• what Mrs. Rust needs to explain better in her lecture.
  
• profound thoughts I've had ("a-ha" moments).

As part of your test grade (after the tests are handed back) you will write no fewer than 6 lines on any or all of the following:

• problems I missed and what I did wrong.
• my study plan and how it did or did not work, how I can improve my plan for next test.
• What areas I did not study well enough.

Notebook Requirements

Every student must keep an organized notebook. There will be 6 sections, each clearly labeled with dividers.

1. Introductory Paperwork -- syllabus, gradesheet. assignment sheet(s), "notebook" sheet
2. Notes/Handouts
• --must have all notes for quarter/semester.
• --notes will be checked for content
• --all notes must be clearly labeled with dates and section headings.
3. Homework --must have all homeworks for current chapter.
4. "Reflections"
• --must have all reflections for quarter/semester.
• --must be clearly labeled with dates & section headings.
5. Tests/Quizzes --must have all tests/quizzes for quarter/semester.
6. Miscellaneous --anything else I tell you to keep that is not obviously in any other category... I will pick up your notebooks on a regular basis. Please keep your notebook organized at all times so you may recieve full credit for your notebook.