I have watched my son struggle with homework that didn't seem relevant or took too long to complete. I will do my best to ensure that you do not face the same struggles. I suggest you set aside a regular time to do homework. Any students who see me after school (parents, I work with students after school so you don't have to help them unless you want to. Sttudent have no excuse for not understanding the homework) have an advantage because I make certain they are doing the homework correctly.

Math

Homework is not graded. Why should I grade something you are expected to do? If you put forth the effort to complete 100% of your homework assignments you have developed two good habits - self discipline and initiative. Read the below table to see what kind of job you do on your homework:

Homework Preparation

Language Arts or Self Contained Classes Only (not math)

In traditional, self contained classrooms I give students classroom dollars that are used to buy sports equipment, books, art work and other products at an auction (I usually hold the auctions on the last Friday of the month and based on past auctions they should be fairly loud) I hold every two months. Details about this nationally recognized method (developed by Rafe Esquith - American Teacher Award winner and he is the only teacher in history to win the National Medal of Arts) to help your child develop inner discipline can be found in the Choices program.

Reading is assigned every day of the week! Monday thru Thursday night and consists of two things:

• 30 minutes reading - any book. If your child has difficulty reading (they should be able to read at least 95% of the words to an ideal 99%) they should read aloud (okay to read in another language) to you a book where they can read most of the words. If there is a word your child cannot sound out then help them with the sounds of the word before telling them the word. If your child cannot read then please read to them. I am including mathematical proof why 20 and 30 minutes reading every day is so important.
• Math and Grammar practice assignments will for the most part reinforce newly acquired skills or knowledge. At times students will have assignments intended to provide background information and will require the gathering or organization of information. Other assignments will require students to apply previous learning. The amount of time to complete this homework will take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. If it is taking longer please contact me so that we can make appropriate adjustments.

Homework assignments for the entire week are given on Monday. Homework is checked every day and periodically we review selected problems during class time. Homework is due every day unless your child was sick, celebrating a religious observance, it was their birthday or there was an unforeseen family emergency. Your child will be expected to complete homework (typically within a few days unless we mutually agree to something different) they missed when they return to school.

Additional Ways to Improve in Language Arts

If you finish class work early or do additional work you can earn additional points.

• Write a book report.
• Pass a Freedom Writer's Vocabulary Test (high school level).
• Check out a movie from the classroom library and write a film review on the classroom website . If you do not return the movie you will lose further movie privileges. Reviews must be written over the weekend.

Leaders In Training

Any other work that students bring home is unfinished class work. I give students ample time and opportunity to complete most of their work at school (except for math classes), if excessive incomplete class work becomes a problem, it is usually for one of these reasons:

* Your child is not using his/her time wisely at school.

* Your child may be struggling with the content that is presented in the lessons. If your child is working hard in the classroom and on homework we will come up with another way that we mutually agree upon to ensure the academic success of your child.

Student textbooks are kept in the class. Students have the option to check out a textbook whenever they wish. Workbooks are handed out to all students. Students will follow the checkout process. The checkout process includes a form which students will fill out in Google Classroom.

Any other work that students bring home is unfinished class work. I give students ample time and opportunity to complete most of their work at school (except for math classes), if excessive incomplete class work becomes a problem, it is usually for one of these reasons:

* Your child is not using his/her time wisely at school.

* Your child may be struggling with the content that is presented in the lessons. If your child is working hard in the classroom and on homework we will come up with another way that we mutually agree upon to ensure the academic success of your child.