Math/Science Homework Tips

Homework

Students should be bringing home math homework most every night. They are allowed to bring home their math notebooks and math folders to help with homework.

If students do not finish classwork, sometimes it will be sent home for homework.

According to district expectations, all students are expected to pass 2 iReady math lessons and get 3 green lights in Reflex (to practice their math facts) each week.

Some days, if time allows, I do allow students to begin homework during the day. This way they can ask for help if needed.

Click image above to get to copies of worksheets and what we have for homework each week in case your child left it at school or was absent. I can't always provide a link to the worksheet, but when I can, I will. Please do not have your child work ahead as the homework enforces what we learn in class that day.

It is important to establish a homework routine. To help with that, here are the homework policies for our class.

Math homework will be done most nights and turned in the next morning. We will review the homework problems at the start of each math class, so it is important to make sure your child has done the homework. If there is a question that you are unable to explain, please have your child show their attempt at answering the question and initial next to the effort made so your child may receive credit for the homework. I typically post notes on our class website with what we did in math that day to help your child with the homework. Students should also bring home their math notebook nightly to use for help. Students are given time in class to work on iReady, however if a student has not completed the iReady math expectation for the week of passing 2 lessons with at least a 67% average, they will need to find time at home to do this before Sunday night.

Science homework may be given every once in a while. This is usually to help study for a test or quiz. Science homework may be given prior to quizzes/tests in each subject. It will consist of completing a study guide to help your child study for the quizzes. Your child should save the study guides and class notes to help them study.

I also assign optional reviews in Quizziz to help prepare for tests and quizzes in class. Students earn extra points in Bloomz for completing these.

Unfinished Class Work will be sent home to be completed if your child was unable to finish in class due to attendance or behavior. If a child doesn't finish an assignment because they are struggling with it, they might choose to take it home to finish or they can ask for extra help in class.

Unfinished Tests, Quizzes, Graded Assignments will NEVER be sent home. If you see your child doing a test or quiz at home, please STOP them and remind them it must be done at school.

Projects will be given throughout the year. Projects will involve work at home and in class. Please help your child set up a schedule for reasonable completion so they don't procrastinate and try to finish the entire project right before the due date.

Having trouble with homework?

Some children may need a "break" before doing homework. A suggestion is to set a timer for 30 minutes to an hour to give your child time to rest, play, and unwind from school. They might need a healthy snack also. If your child fights over doing homework, try setting timers for that also. You will work for 30 minutes straight through, then you may have a 5 minute break. If homework is not finished, give another 30 minutes. Homework at 4th grade should take no longer than one hour, not including AR time. If it is consistently taking more than an hour for your child to do their homework look at the reasons:

*Are they distracted? (watching TV, listening to music, texting, talking to their siblings)

*Is it a way to get out of doing homework?

*Are they having difficulty understanding the concept? If so, provide assistance, but do not GIVE answers; if it is continual, arrange a conference so we can discuss the difficulty

*Does your child have a special place to complete homework with all tools necessary?

*Have their brought home their notebooks needed to help with the homework?

*Have they checked out any online help provided for the homework?

If you are still having difficulty with homework completion, please send me a note.

If a child doesn't understand a problem - I ask them to show me their attempt and have a parent initial next to the problem so I know you have discussed it. They will then receive credit for completing their homework. If they simply leave the problem blank, they will not get credit.

I request that parents please sign any N/U papers coming home after going over them with your child.