Homework Policy

Lyme School Handbook 

Homework Guidelines

Of all the questions families ask school personnel, those about homework rank near the top in frequency. This guideline has been created in hopes of putting forward some clear answers. A mixture of philosophy and classroom/grade level procedures and expectations follows. All times are merely suggested guidelines.

Beliefs:

The Lyme School recognizes:

• Homework (home learning activities) as an integral part of the school curriculum. The purposes of homework are to enhance learning, aid in skill mastery, stimulate student interest, exploration, problem solving, and promote successful, independent study habits.

• The importance of developing good study habits and responsibility for assignments, beginning at an early age.

• The amount of time spent on homework should increase gradually through the grades.

• The need for children to have free time at home to engage in play and other activities. Important learning can take place in many varied settings.

  • The need to inform parents or guardians of homework guidelines related to their child's grade. The guidelines should be clear and reasonable for students and families.

Homework Guidelines

• • Grades K-8: To encourage reading, our school encourages students to read, or be read to, for pleasure 30 minutes nightly.

  • Kindergarten: Home/school generated "assignments". These would be of the show and tell variety. Home learning activities are encouraged with an emphasis on parents or older siblings reading to the child.

    • Grades 1 and 2 (10-20 minutes, 1-2 times per week): Occasional school-related assignments will be given to students in grades 1 and 2. It is important for children to be encouraged to follow through. While assignments related to skill practice are not intended to extend beyond 15 minutes, occasional projects may engage children for longer periods of time. Longer-term assignments completed in school in segments are introduced.

Grades 3 and 4 (30-40 minutes, 3-4 times per week): In grades 3-4, more emphasis is placed onhomework related to reading, math, language arts, science and social studies. Homework begins to be expected as part of the overall educational program and the responsibility for noting and completing assignments shifts to students. Long-term assignments with structured assistance for planning time and tasks begins in grade 4.

Grades 5 and 6 (30-60 minutes, 3-4 times per week): In grades 5 and 6, homework expands from a focus on developing the habit and routine of school-related home activity to homework as an extension of the school curriculum. Expectations for quality increase. Students experience an increase in long-term assignments with an emphasis on teacher assisted and student planning.

Grades 7 and 8 (60-90 minutes, 5 times a week, with occasional weekend assignments): In grades 7 and 8 the emphasis is on organizational and independent learning skills. Responsibility, self-discipline and quality issues are expanded. Long-term projects with an interdisciplinary focus become more frequent with emphasis on student generated planning and follow-through.

Students taking Algebra should expect to have an additional 30 minutes of homework a night.

• • Notes:

    • Both the type and length of the assignment and the student's rate of work vary from student to student. Some students may need more time for homework on certain nights. More than the suggested time spent on homework per night is not intended. A note from home will excuse the child for that evening, but the student will still need to complete the assignment. Work habits, planning, use of class and study hall time and school absences can have a dramatic effect on the amount of time a student spends on homework.

    • Although homework is never used as a means of punishment, students who do not complete in-school assignments may be asked to complete these at home.

The Lyme Education Association offers an afterschool study hour once a week, on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00 pm, for students in grades 4-8. Pick up time is 4:00 pm. If students stay after school for study hall, transportation will be the responsibility of the parents.

Parents or students who find that homework directions are unclear should feel free to contact the teacher or another student. Middle School homework assignments are also posted on our website: https://sites.google.com/a/lymeschool.org/lyme-school-homework/Home