2017 Homework Policy
Hello, Students!
Friday, December 23, 2016
When we return to school from winter break, our class will be implementing the following new 2017 Homework Policy:
*In 1988, experts studied the relationship between the amount of reading done and reading achievement. They found that the amount of time reading was the best predictor of reading achievement. This means the more you read the better you will get at reading! I am so lucky to have a class of AWESOME readers. Please continue to read as much as you can at home!
I know that each of you is capable of doing amazing things. Working hard to complete meaningful homework is going to make you a stronger learner, and help you be successful in your future. If you feel that any of the homework is not meaningful for you, please let me know so that we can work together to come up with some different ideas! I want you to feel supported in your learning journey.
Thank you, students, for your hard work and dedication to your studies so far this school year.
Friday, December 23, 2016
When we return to school from winter break, our class will be implementing the following new 2017 Homework Policy:
- Spelling - You will receive individualized spelling lists and a spelling activities packet to take home on Mondays. You are responsible for completing the packet and studying the spelling words at home. Spelling quizzes will still take place on Fridays.
- Reading - In school, you are independently reading between 30-40 minutes daily. All of you should be reading every night (minimum of 20 minutes) and keeping a consistent log that documents your reading. The policy has been that you keep your reading log on your desk each morning for me to check on what you are reading and details of your times; however, many students have not been doing this accurately and consistently. The new policy is that you will take home a new reading log every Monday, and submit it every Friday.To help you be successful with this new policy, you will continue to bring your reading folders home nightly. The folder will hold your reading logs, two just-right books, and your reading response notebook.*
- Reading Responses - You will complete a reading response two times a week. Each week, you will choose to complete your reading responses on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will be discussing the expectations for reading responses as a class. Please look at the Reading Response Rubric at the back of this packet to get a sense of what I expect from your responses. The Rubric is what I will be using to grade your reading responses on a weekly basis. Remember to R.A.C.E. your answers! An example of how to R.A.C.E. is attached.
- Math - In order to strengthen your problem solving skills and practice the math concepts you learn in school, you are going to start bringing home a challenging math word problem on Mondays. You will have the entire week to complete the problem, which will be due on Fridays. If you finish early and would like another math problem for the week, that will be available to you. Please look at the Problem Solving Rubric at the back of this packet to get a sense of what I expect from your solutions. The Rubric is what I will be using to grade your math homework on a weekly basis. We have practiced this five-step approach to problem solving a few times as a whole class, so I expect the organizer to be used each time. It is highly recommended you bring your math notebook home as well, when working on problem solving.
- Lexia - The amount of Lexia homework you will have depends on your personal weekly usage goal. I will make sure that you know your weekly goal on Monday mornings so that you know how often you will have Lexia homework (if your weekly goal is 20 minutes, you will do one night of Lexia for 20 minutes; if your weekly goal is 40 minutes, you will do two nights of Lexia for 20 minutes each, etc.).
*In 1988, experts studied the relationship between the amount of reading done and reading achievement. They found that the amount of time reading was the best predictor of reading achievement. This means the more you read the better you will get at reading! I am so lucky to have a class of AWESOME readers. Please continue to read as much as you can at home!
I know that each of you is capable of doing amazing things. Working hard to complete meaningful homework is going to make you a stronger learner, and help you be successful in your future. If you feel that any of the homework is not meaningful for you, please let me know so that we can work together to come up with some different ideas! I want you to feel supported in your learning journey.
Thank you, students, for your hard work and dedication to your studies so far this school year.