Homework: Students will have homework just about every night. Their homework will include but not limited to a math homelink, spelling list, and reading log. I do occasionally assign extra homework. This homework can come in forms of bonus assignments or challenges. If it is a bonus or challenge assignment that will be indicated in the assignment notebook. These types of assignments are NOT a requirement. I give those out to continue to challenge those students who want to be challenged. Students who take on an extra assignment will also be expected to share with the class their findings and will be rewarded with a small prize. These assignments will NEVER hurt the student’s grade. Other assignments may include activities that the student was unable to complete in class before the due date, a guided reading assignment, or an inquiry assignment that the student volunteered to do in order to benefit their group. Homelinks will be given as a packet at the start of a new unit. Along with the homelink packet a math family letter home will also be included. I assign one homelink a night. Students are not required to finish the entire packet in one night. The packet will be completed through out the math chapter. Homelinks should not take longer than 20 minutes. Please let me know if your child seems to be struggling with the math assignment or if it seems to be taking too long. Spelling lists will be given on Mondays. Students are expected to study their spelling words every night. Tests will be given on Fridays. Last but not least, students are challenged to read 40 books this school year ( books 300 pages or more count as 2 books, 600 pages is 4 books and so on.) This challenge can equate to 400 minutes per week or 20 minutes a day during the week. Please work with your child on how this can fit into their schedule. I understand that some nights 20 minutes are not possible. I do encourage students to manage their own time and we brainstorm how we can get reading minutes in or homework done on time when the evening is eventful. Also if your child has a guided reading assignment please use this as their 20 minutes of reading time as these books also count towards their 40 book challenge.
Late Homework: All homework is given a one day grace period. Meaning if an assignment was given on Monday due Tuesday, I would still accept it without late penalty on Wednesday. With the exception of guided reading assignments. Guided reading assignments do not get a grace period. During guided reading students discuss their after school schedules with their group and from there come to a decision on how many pages to read. All students must agree on the amount of pages to be read. Also students are allowed to read their guided reading book during the school day and groups do not typically meet daily.