Miss Levin's Homework Policy
On the first day of each week (usually Monday), students will come home with their homework folder. Inside will be: their homework packet, the Weekly News page, their new AR book, their My Shared Readings (MSR book)/Activity Calendar, and their rainbow words. The completed packet, book, and practiced rainbow words should be returned in the folder on the last day of the week (usually Friday).
Please make sure to follow the directions in the homework packet and only do the day's assigned work (don't finish the packet in 2 days). Each day's work is designed so students won't be working too long. They will practice skills we have been learning in class, and then should read for 15 minutes with a parent and practice their rainbow words.
Rainbow words are high frequency words that students will see most often in texts they read. They are usually easily recognizable words and often can't be sounded out (think: the). Therefore, daily practice is the best way to achieve automaticity in learning to recognize the words. Students should know the words in any order, and immediately upon seeing them- they shouldn't have to stop and think.
Homework is important for many reasons:
1.) It teaches responsibility and time management. This is an essential skill that must be taught, modeled, and practiced.
2.) It helps your child practice skills that were introduced at school, reinforcing their knowledge.
3.) It allows parents to keep up with what is being taught in class.
HOMEWORK SUGGESTIONS
1.) Pick a study place - Designate a special area for your child to do homework daily - a quiet environment and routine are key.
2.) Set up a homework schedule - Some children have after-school activities and therefore may prefer doing homework after dinner. I find it preferable however to encourage students to do homework immediately after school - concepts are fresher in the mind, if it gets completed at school I myself or other students are there to assist, it fosters the notion that work comes before play, and then the rest of the evening is free for family or play time.
3.) Remove distractions - Some students do well with a little background music-many, however, are simply distracted and can't fully concentrate on the task at hand. Turn off the television, computer, music, etc. and discourage getting up, wandering around, or avoiding work during homework time. (A call to a classmate about an assignment may, however, be helpful.)
4.) Provide supplies and resources - An effective study place might include resources such as: pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, a pencil sharpener, glue stick, ruler, lined paper, scissors, construction paper, stapler, dictionary, atlas, and your child's backpack/binder/books.
5.) Provide guidance- Talk about the assignments. Ask your child questions. Talking can help him/her think through an assignment and break it down into small, workable parts. Here are some sample questions: What materials do you need to do the assignment? Have you ever done an assignment like the one you're supposed to do right now? What resources can you use to help you? Is there a classmate you can call for help? What do you need to do to finish the assignment? Now that you've finished all your homework and we checked off everything on your list, where can you put your assignments?
6.) Avoid doing or finishing assignments for your child - Some parents will complete an entire assignment for their children. Though the motivation is to get the assignment completed, the end result may be very destructive. Your child will not feel they CAN complete assignments and will rely on you to do so, and will not DESIRE to do the work themselves because it is easier for you to do it for them! In addition, I am unable to see where your child is struggling if all their work is without error all the time. Perhaps this is another reason to do homework immediately after school-if assignments seem arduous, you might wish to break down their work into small time increments (5-10 minutes at a time), allow short breaks, and then have your child return to the assignment. As always, our goal is to nurture independent thinkers who take responsibility for their own learning.
7.) Give encouragement and praise- Everyone responds to praise - it helps us keep going when we're struggling. And children need encouragement from the people whose opinions they value most - their parents. "I like how focused you are on your work" or "Great job! Now we can check off that assignment!" or "Your teacher will love how neatly you've done this assignment" can go a long way toward motivating your child to complete assignments. Praise your child's EFFORT rather than saying how good he/she is at a subject.
Questions About Homework
Please feel free to send any homework questions or concerns in a note or stop by the classroom.
Please make sure to follow the directions in the homework packet and only do the day's assigned work (don't finish the packet in 2 days). Each day's work is designed so students won't be working too long. They will practice skills we have been learning in class, and then should read for 15 minutes with a parent and practice their rainbow words.
Rainbow words are high frequency words that students will see most often in texts they read. They are usually easily recognizable words and often can't be sounded out (think: the). Therefore, daily practice is the best way to achieve automaticity in learning to recognize the words. Students should know the words in any order, and immediately upon seeing them- they shouldn't have to stop and think.
Homework is important for many reasons:
1.) It teaches responsibility and time management. This is an essential skill that must be taught, modeled, and practiced.
2.) It helps your child practice skills that were introduced at school, reinforcing their knowledge.
3.) It allows parents to keep up with what is being taught in class.
HOMEWORK SUGGESTIONS
1.) Pick a study place - Designate a special area for your child to do homework daily - a quiet environment and routine are key.
2.) Set up a homework schedule - Some children have after-school activities and therefore may prefer doing homework after dinner. I find it preferable however to encourage students to do homework immediately after school - concepts are fresher in the mind, if it gets completed at school I myself or other students are there to assist, it fosters the notion that work comes before play, and then the rest of the evening is free for family or play time.
3.) Remove distractions - Some students do well with a little background music-many, however, are simply distracted and can't fully concentrate on the task at hand. Turn off the television, computer, music, etc. and discourage getting up, wandering around, or avoiding work during homework time. (A call to a classmate about an assignment may, however, be helpful.)
4.) Provide supplies and resources - An effective study place might include resources such as: pencils, pens, highlighters, erasers, a pencil sharpener, glue stick, ruler, lined paper, scissors, construction paper, stapler, dictionary, atlas, and your child's backpack/binder/books.
5.) Provide guidance- Talk about the assignments. Ask your child questions. Talking can help him/her think through an assignment and break it down into small, workable parts. Here are some sample questions: What materials do you need to do the assignment? Have you ever done an assignment like the one you're supposed to do right now? What resources can you use to help you? Is there a classmate you can call for help? What do you need to do to finish the assignment? Now that you've finished all your homework and we checked off everything on your list, where can you put your assignments?
6.) Avoid doing or finishing assignments for your child - Some parents will complete an entire assignment for their children. Though the motivation is to get the assignment completed, the end result may be very destructive. Your child will not feel they CAN complete assignments and will rely on you to do so, and will not DESIRE to do the work themselves because it is easier for you to do it for them! In addition, I am unable to see where your child is struggling if all their work is without error all the time. Perhaps this is another reason to do homework immediately after school-if assignments seem arduous, you might wish to break down their work into small time increments (5-10 minutes at a time), allow short breaks, and then have your child return to the assignment. As always, our goal is to nurture independent thinkers who take responsibility for their own learning.
7.) Give encouragement and praise- Everyone responds to praise - it helps us keep going when we're struggling. And children need encouragement from the people whose opinions they value most - their parents. "I like how focused you are on your work" or "Great job! Now we can check off that assignment!" or "Your teacher will love how neatly you've done this assignment" can go a long way toward motivating your child to complete assignments. Praise your child's EFFORT rather than saying how good he/she is at a subject.
Questions About Homework
Please feel free to send any homework questions or concerns in a note or stop by the classroom.