Hi Parents,
This is a friendly and gentle reminder about homework and take-home folders. We have been discussing this with kids in class as well.
Your child has a clear plastic folder which should travel between home and school each day. This folder is where we put papers that you need to see as well as completed work.
Our homework is very simple and very predictable. The routine has remained the same from the 2nd week of school and will remain the same for the remainder of the year.
Every Monday, your child receives an organizer. He/she writes his/her name and the date along with reminders or events for the coming week. The paper stays in your child’s take home folder and is returned to school each morning. Parents initial or sign if the reading and/or dream box practice has been completed each night. Your child should write down the title(s) of books he/she reads. On Fridays, we check for completion and look for parent signatures from the week.
During morning recess and booster hut time, we have provided students with some time to complete unfinished homework from the week. Ask your child if he/she needed the time for the last few weeks. Spending time with family and having an active healthy balanced lifestyle is important and this is why our homework routine is minimal, predictable, and consistent. Developing responsible habits and self ownership of learning is important for children this age.
Tips/Recommended Homework Practices:
- If this has been a challenge for your child or you’re saying to yourself, “what homework routine?” consider helping your child establish a routine. Decide on a time and place for your child to complete the reading and math practice each afternoon or evening
- Make homework your child’s responsibility instead of yours. Make homework part of what you expect from your child and clearly define incentives or consequences when homework is not completed
- Be a role model – you can read to your child or with your child. Consider doing this and enjoying literature and quality time together each night.
- Develop a checklist – some families have a simple checklist of responsibilities that their children refer to each night or morning
- Never sign unless the homework has been completed and never retroactively sign for nights where homework was not completed
Supporting the development of healthy habits and responsibility now will provide the necessary foundation for future academic success when the complexity and volume of academics increases.
Thanks so much for your help with this. Let us know if you have questions or concerns.
