Homework is an important part of your child’s school experience. Supporting good work habits requires a joint effort. I will support your child and encourage good work habits at school. Your child will benefit greatly from your support and encouragement at home. On the Monday of each week, your child will receive a weekly homework calendar, which outlines the homework for the week, as well as the weekly spelling list and a quick note from me about the lessons for the week. Please read the homework policy below and discuss it with your child.
READING – Students are expected to read for at least 15 – 20 minutes each night. The book must be a “just right book”, that students can read independently. Students must be reading, not being read to. If parents / siblings would like to be involved, you may listen to your child read and ask questions to make sure he / she understands what is read. Do not be alarmed if your child continues to bring home the same book for a few days – continued rereading will help build your child’s fluency. Students must also record at least 10 books in their reading log, which is going to be checked at the end of each month.
SPELLING – Students must honor their spelling contract by saying, spelling and writing their spelling words each night. They are also to complete the activities on the spelling paper that is sent home in their spelling notebooks each Monday. Students will be tested each Friday.
MATH – Students are expected to practice their addition and subtraction facts to 20 for 10 – 15 minutes each night. Students are expected to master these facts by the end of the year. Starting in November, we will begin quizzing the students on these facts. You can help them master these facts by purchasing or making flash cards out of index cards. This activity can be done independently or with help from a family member. This is extremely important and will help students, as the math becomes more challenging.
The students will be given a worksheet based on a lesson from that day. This will occur about twice a week. The students will also receive a math activity every other week that is to be completed in their homework binder. They will receive the activity on a Monday and it must be completed by Thursday. This is a process that we will be working on throughout the year.
READING COMPREHENSION – Students will receive a reading comprehension activity every other week that is to be completed in their homework binder. They are to read the passage and answer the questions about the passage in complete sentences.
MONTHLY CALENDARS – Each month your child may receive a monthly calendar with a response journal. The calendars provide real life activity ideas for family members to do with their child. At least two activities are to be completed each week and the calendar is due on the last school day of the month.