"Nine times? I don't remember him being sick nine times."

It doesn't take long to notice where the priorities are when it comes to catching up from a missed day of school - of course they only want to know if there was any homework. After all, mine wasn't the only class they missed, they've got plenty of catching up to do in other classes as well. So when I stop and think about it, the usefulness of a content and skills summary only exists if yesterday's lesson somehow carries over into today, in which case the kid will have another chance to see the concepts and put them into action.

Was there homework? Nope. Did I miss anything? Sure, but that doesn't mean you're going to fall behind. Pay close attention today, ask the right questions and you'll be back on track.

As long as the things I teach are meaningful and rigorous enough to revisit multiple times throughout the week, an absent student shouldn't have a lot to worry about.

Except maybe some homework.