• Homework

    We believe homework is an important tool in helping students to make the most of their educational experience in school. Homework reinforces what has been learned at school, prepares students for upcoming lessons, helps students develop positive study habits for the future and teaches responsibility. Homework is also an excellent opportunity for you to observe and assess your child’s abilities.

    A homework assignment sheet and folder will be sent home each Monday. The folder should be completed and returned each Friday. Also, a book bag may be coming home with your student about every other day, or when a new book has become familiar. Please read the books with your students and bring it back in the bag the very next day. I use these during my centers. The students should only be bringing familiar books, which have already been introduced in class. The purpose is to reinforce the learning from that day, build fluency and confidence in reading, and practice our comprehension skills. Fluency is an important skill, however, understanding the text is even more important. It is ok if it appears as though the student has memorized the book.

    If you feel additional resources are needed, please utilize the public library for students to pick out books, check out the Student Links and our Homework Extension Ideas.

    Expectations: The written homework assignments should not take any more than 15-20 minutes nightly. (Please inform me if it is taking longer). Students are expected to take pride and do their best work on each homework assignment. Homework should be neat and written work should be done in pencil. The homework should be completed in full and returned on time. Please encourage your child to complete a portion of the homework each night. Saving homework to complete all in one night is strongly discouraged as it is difficult on the child. 

    Parents are a key part of the team in the homework experience. Creating a quiet time everyday for homework to be done, and providing praise and support will help to make the most out of your child’s experience. During the 15 minutes of reading, please listen to your child read the assignment. For greater benefit, have your child re-read the story for high fluency and expression. Follow it up with comprehension questions, or asking them to retell the story. In addition, reading a literature story aloud to your child will increase their comprehension.

    If you find that any work that is sent home is confusing or too difficult for your child to do on his/her own, please let me know. Homework is not meant to be frustrating. It is meant to reinforce the learning at school. It will benefit your child for me to stay informed.


    Unfinished Classwork:

    In the event that classwork is not being completed in a timely fashion, it may be sent home. At school, there will be a “Fix and Finish” time provided. However, all unfinished work that is not done in this time may be sent home to be completed.  

     

    Want Something More?

     

    For extra homework ideas please feel free to pick a suggestion from the list. Remember that these are optional. 

    1. Check out Lakeshore Learning. Look for workbooks that focus on phonics, reading comprehension, printing practice and math facts.

    2. Make a journal and write in it EVERYDAY for 20-30 minutes. Check with the grade level rubric for guidelines. They need a clear focus, related sentences, description and detail, using the word “because” or “and” in every sentence, and correct capitals, periods and syntax.

    3. Have your student read out loud to you EVERYDAY. Encourage inflection and fluency.

    • To follow up the reading, 1 comprehension choice is to have your students use a Reading Response Notebook. They can write a summary of the story/chapter (3 sentences telling what happened 1st, Next, Last), tell what was their favorite part, list words they don’t know the meaning of and find it in the dictionary, or ask questions.

    • Another follow up to reading is for you, THE PARENT, to ask open ended questions for a book discussion. Use the provided question suggestions in the book bag for ideas. 

    4. From extra math workbooks, attach completed pages and turn in with homework. Focus on problem solving and math facts.