Homework Info
My philosophy on homework is that its purpose is to reinforce what I am teaching the kids in the classroom and should not be anything brand new that will be frustrating for them. It is always review work. Homework also teaches time management and study skills that the children need as they progress through the various grade levels. It teaches responsibility as well, for there is a clear consequence if the work is not completed. The students are aware that if they do not complete all their homework, they will have to complete their work during Morning Work time or during their free choice on Fridays. Homework this year will include a mixture of: reading, online math facts, a math workbook, and corrections. You also have access to many optional online homework supplements if you'd like to add additional homework to your child's routine. Here's what's expected: Reading: This is the most important homework your child will do! 30 minutes of reading a day, 7 days a week is expected. The required minutes of reading can be done together or independently. You can read to your child, your child can read to you, you may read together, or your child can read independently. We will be using a monthly reading log. Math Facts: Each day after school, log on to Reflex Math and complete 50 math facts correctly. This should take just about 5 minutes. How does your child log on?
Math Workbook: For each lesson we complete, your child may bring home their math workbook. It will be related to our learning in the classroom that day and it is due the next day. This homework should be able to be done independently in about 10 minutes. However, if your child is becoming frustrated, please tell him/her to do what he/she can and write me a quick note on the paper to explain what was too hard. We'll work on it the next day. Kids who do not return this work will spend a portion of their morning recess completing it. |
Here are some extra choices: Optional Online Homework Supplements Prodigy- "is a free, adaptive math game for grades 1-7 that integrates Common Core math into a role-playing game using a Pokemon-style wizardry theme. Students complete math questions to level up (become more powerful) and ultimately defeat Crios, Prodigy’s main antagonist." FrontRow- "Students automatically work on the Math, ELA, Social Studies and Science lessons that are perfect for them. That way, they are always engaged and challenged, never facing material that is too difficult or easy for them." Epic- "Epic! is the world's leading online children's subscription book service offering immediate, on-demand access to over 25,000 high-quality illustrated books and chapter books for children ages 12 and under. Epic!'s ever-expanding library also includes thousands of Read-to-Me books, audio books, educational videos, and fun educational quizzes. Partnerships with leading publishers, including HarperCollins and National Geographic, bring age-appropriate, award-winning fiction and non-fiction books to your child's fingertips." -Dreambox is an excellent math focused website we will use this year. It is engaging, rigorous and aligned with the Common Core State Standards. -XtraMath is an optional website kids can visit to practice math facts. We'll be using XtraMath mainly at school. However, kids needing extra math fact practice would certainly benefit from visiting XtraMath at home as well. XtraMath is not required homework. -Lexia is an optional website that kids can use to practice their reading skills. This website adapts to your child's level and alerts me when your child needs help with a concept. It even provides a quick lesson for me too so it provides a great bridge between computer practice and the human interaction. We'll be using Lexia mainly at school but you're welcome to use it at home too. More practice will definitely mean more learning. Please contact me if you are concerned about computer access. There are programs available to provide low-cost computers and internet service to those who qualify for free or reduced school lunches. If your child should get frustrated or confused with something, simply write me a note so I will understand how to help him or her. Please let me know if you have ANY concerns or questions regarding homework. My number here at school is (425) 831-8078 |