HOMEWORK
Daily Routine
The homework expectation is 4-5 days a week for 30-40 minutes each day. Struggling students may require more time.
Here's a routine that's been used by many of my students' parents over the years:
20 min - Reading
5 min - Math
5 min - Spelling
5-10 min - Other
Here's a routine that's been used by many of my students' parents over the years:
20 min - Reading
5 min - Math
5 min - Spelling
5-10 min - Other
Reading (20+ min)
“The most important single activity to promote reading is reading.”
-Mike Schmoker, educational researcher
Students should read 20+ minutes every day (preferably from one text, without breaks) to build stamina.
Students who rank in the...
98th percentile read, on average, 140 minutes PER DAY.
90th percentile = 55 min
80th percentile = 40 min
50th percentile = 15 min
30th percentile = 6 min
This is time spent reading “just right” texts.
Should my child read aloud or silently? It depends. If your child is reading below grade level, then it’s recommended that your child read aloud to an adult.
How do I know if it’s a good fit book for my child? See the "Choosing Books" section on our website for more info.
Students who rank in the...
98th percentile read, on average, 140 minutes PER DAY.
90th percentile = 55 min
80th percentile = 40 min
50th percentile = 15 min
30th percentile = 6 min
This is time spent reading “just right” texts.
Should my child read aloud or silently? It depends. If your child is reading below grade level, then it’s recommended that your child read aloud to an adult.
How do I know if it’s a good fit book for my child? See the "Choosing Books" section on our website for more info.
Math (5 min)
"Calculation fluency [answering facts quickly and accurately] is important for measuring future math ability, enabling performance on advanced arithmetic,
and reducing processing time in order to maintain meaningfulness in the problem."
-Adela Korn, Cognitive Scientist
Math instruction is two fold:
We'll begin the year by reviewing multiplication facts. It's recommended that students practice facts using strategies that require speed and accuracy, such as flashcards, timed online games, and timed paper/pencil practice tests.
- Build conceptual understanding (relationships among facts, procedures & ideas)
- Increase skill efficiency (quick recall of math procedures).
We'll begin the year by reviewing multiplication facts. It's recommended that students practice facts using strategies that require speed and accuracy, such as flashcards, timed online games, and timed paper/pencil practice tests.
Spelling (5 min)
English requires an understanding of three systems to spell correctly: alphabet [sounding out], pattern, and meaning.
-Bear, Invermizzi, Templeton, and Johnston, spelling researchers
When practicing words at home, it's important for students to:
In addition to writing the words on paper, some students may benefit from writing on a whiteboard or in sand that's been placed onto a cookie sheet, writing in shaving cream or pudding on top of a cookie sheet or waxed paper, or constructing words using letter tiles from Scrabble or Bananagrams.
See www.spellingcity.com/Mrs_D_Johnson for lists, handwriting sheets, games, etc. For an online practice test, have your child click on, "Spelling TestMe."
- sound out words
- identify spelling patterns
- understand meanings
In addition to writing the words on paper, some students may benefit from writing on a whiteboard or in sand that's been placed onto a cookie sheet, writing in shaving cream or pudding on top of a cookie sheet or waxed paper, or constructing words using letter tiles from Scrabble or Bananagrams.
See www.spellingcity.com/Mrs_D_Johnson for lists, handwriting sheets, games, etc. For an online practice test, have your child click on, "Spelling TestMe."
Other (5-10 min)
Classwork becomes homework if not finished by the end of the school day. Students should complete the work and submit it first thing the next morning. In addition to finishing work, students may:
- fix errors on any corrected papers that were brought home
- review for upcoming tests
- engage in extension activities such as cooking, building, reading aloud to a younger sibling, taking a nature walk, writing in a journal, etc.
- review/explore concepts found in the Students section on our classroom’s website
Benefits of Homework
Some benefits of homework include:
- establish/strengthen daily homework habits
- finish classwork
- improve reading skills
- review concepts
- correct mistakes on previous assignments
Why So Much Review?
"...a good deal of practice (overlearning) is needed in order to become fluent and automatic in a skill. When material is overlearned, it can be recalled automatically and doesn't take up any space in working memory. When students become automatic in an area, they can then devote more of their attention to comprehension and application."
-Barak Rosenshine, professor and educational researcher
Parent's Role
Tips:
- Plan for 30-40 minutes of homework, 4-5 days a week.
- Read & sign the planner daily.
- Create a quiet, distraction-free place to work with good lighting and a supply of pencils, erasers, paper, and a dictionary.
- Establish a routine by having your child work in the same place, at the same time, each day.
- Praise your child. Positive comments on accuracy, neatness, and working independently are beneficial to all students.
- Offer support, as needed. Most students will be able to work independently on most, if not all, unfinished classwork from the day.
- If your child is reading below grade level, then it's recommended that he/she read aloud the entire 20+ minutes of reading.
Late Work
Unfinished paperwork should be completed at home and then submitted at the beginning of the next school day. If homework is not returned, then it will be completed in the classroom and/or the RTC during breaks/recesses. Five percent may be deducted from the late work, and it will be noted in the grade book.