Mrs. M's 5th Grade Class

HOMEWORK

At Founders, the expectation is for students to complete 10 minutes x the grade they are in, starting in kindergarten in addition to reading for thirty minutes. In fifth grade, students should have about 60 minutes of homework and 30 minutes of reading. Here's a typical daily homework breakdown:

30 minutes- reading, This will typically be a book of a student's choice, although it may be assigned reading from time to time. Books like Dog Man, Captain Underpants, and graphic novels will not count for the reading.

20 minutes- homework journal, written response log. After reading, students should spend 15-20 minutes completing their homework journal. On the left side, students will have their daily prompts. On the right side, students should record their responses. Example attached. *

20-30 minutes- math workbook. Students will have assigned problems to complete in their math workbook. Students are not expected to fully complete every page or do the challenge. Assigned problems will be highlighted during our math lesson.

20-30 minutes- TBD- depending on class pacing and subject matter, students may have additional homework in science, literature, grammar, or more.

DAILY HOMEWORK- Every day, students should read for 30 minutes, study their morphology list and poem, and complete the written response in their homework journal. Since this is the daily expectation, it will not be annotated on their homework planner.

If your child has worked diligently for the allotted time but has not finished an assignment, please highlight or mark where they stopped and write a note. A good effort means actively working during that time—for example, reading and rereading directions, showing and checking work, and annotating problems when appropriate. If a student has put forth a strong effort and still does not finish within the allotted time, that is okay. We will continue reviewing and practicing these concepts in class. I want students to build confidence through meaningful practice rather than become frustrated by spending multiple hours on homework.

Homework will be written daily in their homework planner, which is in their red folder. Parents should initial the behavior calendar, journal, and planner nightly.

Weekly Homework Planner

Student Expectation-

Bring red folder to/from school everyday.
Keep homework planner in their red folder.
Write down homework assignment daily.
Complete homework assignments.
Show parent homework and request signatures (planner, journal, behavior calendar).

Parent Expectation-

Provide a quiet space and opportunity for student to complete work daily.
Review homework assignments for neatness, effort, and completion.
Initial the homework planner and homework journal when assignments are complete.
Initial behavior calendar and support virtue learning if needed.

Teacher Expectation-

Provide weekly homework papers every week.
Write homework and share with students daily.
Sign behavior calendars daily.
Assign homework that is meaningful and provides students an opportunity to review/ practice concepts.
Grade and return homework in a timely manner.

HW Planner - Sheet1.pdf

Quick Questions

Where can I find the homework assignment?

Every Monday, students will receive a fresh copy of their weekly homework planner. This will stay in the second sheet protector in their red folder.

Why is there a homework journal and a planner?

The homework planner is a tool that is created to teach and practice executive functioning skills like organization and planning. The goal is to build habits that will help them become virtuous, responsible citizens! The homework journal serves as a record for written responses. It showcases their growth in reading comprehension and writing. Students can also use it as a tool to reflect on the annotations and become better writers.

Weekly Homework Journal

Students have a black homework journal. The first page is a title page, followed by this page and an example expectations prompt.

Students will always have a prompt page that looks like this for the week. It will always be adhered to the left-hand page. Each week's entry should be on the right-hand page. Students should write and underline the date. On the next line, they should write the title of the book and the pages read. On the next line, students should restate and answer the prompt. After each entry, they should skip a line.

EXAMPLE:

Monday, August 17, 2026

The Secret Garden, pages 1-15

The main character of the Secret Garden is Mary. Mary is six and she is an orphan. She is used to being waited on, so Mary does not have good manners. Mary seems unhappy and unsure of what is going on in the world.

Homework: Consequences, Absent Procedures

Forgotten, Incomplete or No Homework

Students who do not complete their homework or who leave their work at home will receive a consequence. Part of fifth grade is learning to take increasing responsibility for assignments, materials, and daily routines.

If homework is incomplete or forgotten at home:

The student will receive a Red Book signing.
The student will make up the work during earned free time.
Missing homework does not automatically result in a zero; students will still be expected to complete the assignment.

Red Book signings are intended to help students recognize patterns and develop stronger habits of responsibility and follow-through. Upon a student's fourth signing, the repeated concern will result in a formal discipline write-up in Skyward. My goal is not to punish students for an occasional mistake. Fifth grade is a year of growing independence, and mistakes will happen. At the same time, consistent expectations and consequences help students learn to manage their time, materials, and responsibilities.

Thank you for partnering with me as we help students develop strong academic habits while keeping homework focused, productive, and manageable.

Absences and Missing Work

Work missed because of an absence is handled differently. Students will not automatically receive a signing for homework missed while absent. The deadline and consequence depend on whether the absence was excused or unexcused and how much time has passed.

Excused Absences:
Students will be given time to complete work missed because of an excused absence. However, late or missing assignments will not be accepted once they are more than five days overdue. At that point, the assignment will receive a 50F and a Red Book signing. If a student has prior knowledge of an approved absence and is given work before leaving, that work is due on the day the student returns to school. Normal homework procedures and consequences apply from that point forward.

Unexcused Absences:
Work missed because of an unexcused absence may earn a maximum grade of 75%. If the student does not return the assignment by the following school day, the assignment will receive a 50F and a Red Book signing.

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