Homework Expectations

What you can expect from 5th grade homework?

Math - approximately 15-20 minutes a night of skills practice due the next day (Monday-Thursday)
& weekly problem-solving assignments ~15-30 minutes (assigned Friday & due the following Thursday)

Grammar - 20 minutes a week (due Thursday) of IXL Grammar (language practice)

Word Work Practice - (assigned Monday & due Friday) word parts breakdown to help with understanding unknown vocabulary

5th Grade Homework Philosophy

Homework should be purposeful and meaningful, not busy work. 5th grade uses homework to practice repetition of skills, so that we can focus on deep levels of thinking and understanding here in class.

Students should be able to complete and manage homework independently.

We know that some students need a consistent parent teacher communication log to help with management. The planner can be used as that communication log. Some parents may feel the need to check for homework completion and/ or accuracy as needed, but homework should not need to be retaught by a parent at home. If a student is consistently struggling with homework assignments or management, please let the teacher know so that a plan can be devised. Unless your child has procrastinated all assignments for the last minute, he/ she should not spend more than 35 minutes on homework a night.

We are aware that many families have busy after school schedules, as well as the fact that our school day is longer. However, it can be assumed that students will have after school responsibilities that they will have to manage themselves in the upper grades. To not begin to train the kids on management and responsibility of at home work would do a disservice to our kids. Learning how to use a planner, how to study, and how to manage self-discipline are essential life skills. 5th grade does not want to overwhelm kids with work, but would like to offer opportunities to practice these skills.

In 5th grade we offer a variety of homework assignments. Some are nightly (due the next day), some are weekly, and some are incentive based. How your student and your family choose to chunk up assignments for the week is up to you.

Being prepared for class the next day-

• If reading assignments are not completed in class due to misuse of time, then they must be finished at home.

• If assignments are not completed in science/ social studies, then the teacher will ask the student to finish it for tomorrow.

• In reading, science and social studies, students are asked to study for various quizzes or tests. Usually, study guides, sheets, or note cards are started in class to study at home.