To begin, please review the 2007-2008 Parent-Student Handbook (see pages 44-45, 47 under “Team A,” and 48-50). Just as in 3rd grade, homework is assigned every night, Monday through Thursday, and 45 minutes are allotted September through June.
However, I often find that there are still questions and confusion regarding homework that can last well into the year. This note is our attempt to clarify our homework expectations so that we all start the year on the same page. Some of the information below is also stated in the Handbook, and some is our own addition.
1) Page 49 of the Handbook outlines how homework is graded (E, S, N, U). We began keeping track of assignments the first full week of school. Also, once a student has missed three assignments in any subject, we will send you a progress report letting you know.
2) When students do not complete their homework, there is only one way they may be excused: they must have a note from their parents. As the Handbook states, the reason given must be for an emergency; notes for non-emergencies will not excuse missed homework.
3) Students who miss homework due to absence are not held accountable. If your child is absent for a length of time and is able to do work, any effort to obtain class work, notes, and/or homework is appreciated. If a student is absent due to vacation, homework is not given before leaving. When the student returns, he or she will be given two weeks to make up the missed class work.
4) As stated above, students are allotted forty-five minutes to complete their homework, broken down by subject. Students are expected to work in a focused manner for this amount of time (in other words, doing homework while watching t.v. or talking with friends is not focused). While we strive to consistently assign this amount of homework, the allotted time should be thought of more as an average than an exact amount. There are many factors that will determine the exact amount of time a student takes to finish homework on any given night, including their understanding of the subject material.
5) Homework is meant to be an extension and reinforcement of work done in the classroom. It is a time for students to take the learning done in class and reinforce it through practice. We strive to assign homework that students are able to complete independently, assuming they paid attention and did their best in class. However, there will surely be times when your child will ask for help, which is of course appropriate. In class, we often encourage our students to ask questions and seek assistance when they are confused or curious. When they ask for help, we encourage you to assist them as you feel appropriate.
On the one hand, we want them to feel it is ok to seek help and ask questions; it is an important life lesson to know when you really need the assistance of others, and to ask for it. On the other hand, we do not want our students to think that they must always seek help from other people. The first person they should look to is themselves. However, if you find that your child is continually struggling to complete their homework, or needs significant assistance from you to understand it, please let us know! Otherwise, we may assume they are completing their homework independently and without difficulty.
6) We tell our students at the beginning of the year (and throughout if necessary), that homework is not just something they do at home. It begins at school and ends at school – it is a multi-step process! We emphasize that if students miss any of these steps, they likely will not be able to complete their homework
- Write down the homework in their Assignment Notebook (notebooks were given to them by the school). Students will be given two opportunities during the day to do this: at the end of each class, at which time we will write the assignment on the board (and which they should copy down exactly as we have it), and also at the end of the day in our homeroom, when we will review the homework assignments from the day.
2. Take home everything they will need in order to complete their homework.
3. Do their homework.
4. Bring the homework back to school to review and receive credit.
Thank you for your attention and support of these policies and suggestions!!
Sincerely,
Tim McAndrew
