Homework Policy
Homework will be given nightly (Monday-Thursday).
Time: approximately 50 minutes
Students will always have math and Language Arts homework. Students may require additional time to adequately study and prepare for tests. If your child is spending longer than 50-60 minutes to complete homework, here are some things you can try:
- Make the time to supervise your child's homework/study sessions. Be involved!
- Make sure your child does not have any distractions (i.e. cell phones, television, younger siblings).
- Set a timer.
- Give your child timed brain breaks between assignments. Physical activity is a great way to help a child refocus!
- Be encouraging. Praise goes a long way!
- If your child is struggling with reading, take turns reading, or read to your child.
- Have your child sit on a yoga/exercise ball while doing homework. This will help your child stay centered and may help with attention issues.
- Instead of asking your child, "Did you finish your homework?"; say, "Show me your finished homework." Use this time as an opportunity to make sure your child understands the content and to teach your child a short cut you may have learned. Remember, you are your child's first and most important teacher! I am here to help support you and your child!
No Tears Policy
- If a homework assignment is incomplete because the student is having difficulty with it, simply have the student write me a note explaining the process he or she went through to try and understand the assignment (i.e. checked notes and online links) and get a parent signature. It should be evident that the student spent a reasonable amount of time trying to complete the assignment.
- You, the parent, should send me an email apprising me that your child will be asking for help.
- The next day at school, your child will add his or her questions in our classroom request for help log, along with the homework assignment, note, and parent signature.
- I will make sure to assist the student with the assignment the next day or as soon as possible.
- Once your child has been helped, your child will send you an email with notes from our intervention session that he or she can use for studying.
The purpose for this process is to teach your child to be reflective about the learning process, to have stamina in solving difficult problems, to seek answers and solutions first independently, and then with the support of a teacher.