Homework

 

Why I Give Homework

Homework is an excellent way to reinforce classroom learning and to provide opportunities to teach students personal responsibility for that learning.  Establishing good homework habits now will help your child throughout the rest of their academic career.

For more information about why homework is beneficial, please visit these links:

 

What Kinds of Homework to Expect

Homework is usually reinforcement or practice for a concept or skill previously learned in class. Less often, homework is assigned as an introductory activity for a new concept or skill. A few assignments each month may be designed to encourage parent/child interaction. Other at-home activities may also be assigned, such as spelling word and multiplication table study, as well as daily reading. In addition, extremely rare special projects may involve weekend homework. Written assignments include all of the subjects with reading, spelling, writing and math taking precedence. I do attempt to strike a balance among worksheets and other higher level homework activities such as graphing, charting, observing and mapping depending on the needs of the class.

Written homework is usually assigned four times each week, on Monday through Thursday evenings. At times, especially toward the end of the year, there may be two or more assignments on some evenings. Homework should be completed and returned the next day. Usually, homework will consist of completing one short assignment, studying spelling words, and reading for at least 20 minutes each night. Occasionally, your child may need to study for a science or social studies test. Your child will also have one Sunshine Math paper to complete by Friday. Additionally, any work that is not completed in class will be sent home to be completed. Class work should be turned in the next day, or points will be deducted from the grade.

Along with the assignments, your third grader should be reading for at least 20 minutes each day. This can include your child reading to you, you reading to your child,  and/or shared reading. Find out why your child should read 20 minutes every night.

Daily homework should take no longer than 15 to 20 minutes to complete, not including reading for 20 minutes. Because homework will usually be a reinforcement of what we have done in class that day,  the skills and concepts needed to complete the homework should be familiar to your child. If your child is confused, or is consistently taking longer than 20 minutes to complete the assignment, please let me know.

 

Homework Procedures

The Rockets will be given an opportunity daily to write the homework assignments down in their Planner. I will check each day to ensure they have written it down correctly. They will also be given an opportunity at the beginning of the week to copy their spelling words into the Planner. In addition, I always go over the homework assignment at the end of each day to remind students what they need to bring home. There is no excuse for a student not knowing the homework assignment, or for not having the proper materials to complete it. I am asking that, for at least the first nine weeks, you initial the Planner every day to signify that you are aware of the homework assignments your child was expected to complete.

If, for some reason (sickness or emergency), a student is unable to complete homework, please send me a not so the assignment can be turned in late without penalty. However, please do not write me a note asking for more time to complete homework if the reason is due to lack of materials, or because your child did not write down the assignment. Making exceptions for these circumstances will hurt your child in the long run because it sends the message that it is okay to not pay attention when we are going over homework. When students face consequences for their actions, it helps to prepare them to become more responsible, independent workers in the future. I know this is hard. Please work with me on this one.

All homework must be done neatly and have the correct heading. Homework that is turned in without a name will not be accepted.Written homework is usually graded only for being returned on time and for being completed according to directions. I do grade one or two homework assignments each week for academic content, but the students don't know which ones. Please check the Planner daily to ensure you are aware of the homework assignments.

Help make homework a priority by scheduling time each day for your child to complete homework. Children need routine and structure to be successful. Help your child develop a good homework routine by asking to see the Planner, and by making sure your child puts the Planner and the homework back in their bookbag to return to school the next day. This will help keep your child organized and eliminates the frustration of losing a paper or assignment that is needed in class.