The answer is YES. And, NO.

There has been much debate about the value of homework over the years, particularly homework given to children at the elementary level. In our classroom, I take a flexible approach. While students will not have assigned homework papers sent home each night simply for the sake of having homework, their assignment is to read at home each night for at least 20 minutes and practice their spelling words in order to prepare for weekly tests. Spelling word lists are sent home on Fridays for the test that will be the following Friday. A list of fun ways to practice spelling words is sent home at the beginning of the year, and you can practice as much as your child needs.

In addition to these expectations, if a student needs more practice in a specific area, I will send home practice materials that will benefit their individual learning. I will also send home "Bonus" homework from time to time for students to complete for extra practice (and Bonus Dojo Points!) and of course if a student is not completing his or her classroom assignments on a daily basis, I may send those home to be finished and returned.

I want students to work hard at school to learn as much as possible, and at home I want them to read books that interest them, participate in family activities, actively play, pursue extracurricular interests, eat dinner with their family, and get a good night's sleep! Just like adults, children need a healthy balance of work and leisure activities to be a well-rounded individual and it's important to me that everything, including our homework practice, supports that goal.