Homework, is important to any child's school success. It is a time for your child to review and practice important skills learned in the classroom. Not only does it reflect the concepts that students are learning, but it also gives additional practice to difficult skills while enriching their evening hours. Homework encourages responsibility and independence. I know you will agree that it is "the practice" that helps each of us become better at whatever we try to do. Unfortunately, our school day is not long enough for children to practice everything they learned each and every day. Homework, therefore, is a MUST! Homework is not a punishment and should be viewed as a way to practice strategies learned in school.
Homework will normally be assigned Monday through Thursday. On Monday a Homework Assignment Chart and Homework Packet will go home. The chart is stapled to the front of the packet and is used to let you know what is to be expected for each night. This chart will also have the specials schedule and High Frequency Words along with any reminders for our week. I usually don't like to assign homework on Friday. However, if your child needs extra practice in a certain area, homework will be assigned on a Friday. Homework assignments should take your child no more that 15 to 20 minutes to complete each night, not including reviewing for assessments. An additional 20 to 25 minutes should be set aside daily for reading, and/or finishing incomplete class work. Most homework assignments will involve reading and math (Home Links). I strongly suggest that your child does the assigned homework according to the assignment sheet. (Math home links are sent home to support your child's math lesson for that day and if done sooner it can quite often lead to some confusion.)
Your child is responsible for his or her daily homework assignment. He or she is expected to do their best job on the homework, for the homework to be neat, not sloppy, for each child to do their own work and ask for help after he/she has given his/her best effort, and for each assignment to be turned in on time.
No assignment will be given for material that has not been taught, only for material that has already been covered in class. I want to make sure the children feel comfortable with a certain skill or material before I assign it, therefore, parents should expect their child to complete all assignments given, since it will be a review to them. I keep a record of all assignments completed and not completed. Any missing assignment will be completed during recess and the missing assignment will be noted on the Daily Behavior Chart. ( Please note that missed assignments whether completed during recess or not, will affect their effort grade on the report card.)
Parents are the key to making homework a positive experience for their children. Therefore, I ask that parents make homework a top priority, provide necessary supplies, and a quiet learning environment for their child. Please check out Homework Tips for more information. By establishing a daily homework time, providing praise and support, your child is not only headed down the right path, but is also learning how to be successful and responsible from you. Please do not let your child avoid homework. Feel free to contact me either by email or letters if any problems should arise. In addition, if a skill or concept seems to difficult for your child and you are unsure how to handle it - please make a note on the Daily Behavior Chart and/or Homework and I will assist your child the following school day.
If for some reason (sickness, emergencies, etc.) a child is unable to complete their homework assignment, please write a note, and the assignment will be excused until the next day or longer if needed. However, please don't write a note asking for more time to complete the assignment if the reason is lack of materials, or because your child forgot the assignment. |
