Homework Guidelines
Check Your Child's Work
How closely you watch over homework will depend on the age of your child, how independent s/he is, and how well your child does in school.
Ask what the teacher expects. Find out what kinds of assignments will be given and how the teacher wants you involved.
Check to see that assignments are started and finished on time.
Monitor TV viewing, the use of digital devices and other activities.
Homework Guidelines
Assigning homework serves various educational needs. It serves as an intellectual discipline, establishes study habits, and eases time constraints on the amount of curricular material that can be covered in class, and supplements as well as reinforces work done in school. In addition, homework fosters +student initiative, independence, and responsibility and brings home and school closer together.
Homework Principles:
Homework will be assigned when it serves a purpose and reinforces learning.
Homework will relate directly to class work.
Homework assignments must be understood by the children.
Homework may serve as an enrichment or supplementary experience if given on an individual or on a small group basis.
Homework assignments will be given with careful consideration to the physical and emotional needs of students.
Homework assignments must be planned in relationship to the supply of books, reference materials, etc. needed to complete the assignments (materials available in the schools, homes, or local libraries).
Homework assignments give parents insight into the school curriculum and offer a greater opportunity for student learning to occur.
Teachers are encouraged to be sensitive and make allowances when scheduling tests, exams, and assignments on religious holidays and days immediately following religious holidays. When parents reinforce the completion of homework tasks, students benefit by improved achievement, better study habits, and a more positive attitude.
How Can Parents Get Involved?
Show you think education and homework are important. Children are more eager to do homework if they know their parents care.
Set a regular time for homework. The best time is one that works for your child and your family.
Pick a place to study that is quiet and has lots of light.
Help your child concentrate by turning off the TV and digital devices during homework time.
Supply papers, books, pencils, and other items your child needs.
Set a good example yourself by reading and writing. Your child learns what things are important by watching what you do.
Read with your young child. This activity stimulates interest in reading and language and lays the foundation for your child to become a lifelong reader.
Discuss school and learning activities.
How Much Time Should a Student Spend on Homework?
The following are guidelines for time homework assignments should take. Since each student works at a different pace, parents should use discretion as to how much time should be allotted to an assignment. If a child consistently has a difficult time finishing assignments, parents or students are encouraged to call or meet with the teacher.
Independent reading is an important component of a complete education for every student. The following guidelines do not include independent reading unless specifically assigned.
Grades 1-2 approximately 20 minutes per night Grades 3-5 approximately 30-45 minutes per night
Provide Guidance
The basic rule in helping with homework is: "Don't do the assignment yourself. It's not your homework--it's your child's."
Here are some things you can do to give guidance:
Figure out how your child learns best. Knowing this makes it easier for you to help your child.
For example, if your child learns things best when s/he can see things, draw a picture or a chart to help with some assignments. However, if your child learns best when s/he can handle things, an apple cut four ways can help in learning fractions.
Encourage good study habits. See that your child schedules enough time for assignments.
Talk about assignments and ask questions. This helps your child think through an assignment and break it into small, workable parts.
Give praise. People of all ages like to be told when they have done a good job. In addition, give helpful criticism when your child has not done her/his best work so that s/he can improve.
The Roles of Teachers and Students
Because teachers recognize that broad ranges of achievement levels exist in any student population, each homework activity is assigned in keeping with individual needs. It is the responsibility of the teacher to:
Identify individual and group needs.
Prescribe appropriate homework activities.
Evaluate the quality of student responses.
Students must be helped to share responsibility for their own academic progress. It is the responsibility of the student to:
Keep a record of all homework assignments.
Obtain the assignment from a friend in the event of absence.
Complete all homework assignments on time.
Communicate to teachers any problems encountered with homework.
Read, study, or work on ongoing projects every weeknight when no other homework assignments are given.
If Problems Arise...
If homework problems do arise, everyone needs to work together to resolve them -- administration, teachers, parents, and students.
Call or meet with the teacher. For example, get in touch with the teacher if your child refuses to do assignments, or if you or your child cannot understand the instructions.
Believe that the school and the teacher want to help you and your child. Work together to fix or alleviate the homework problem. Different problems require different solutions, such as:
Does your child have a hard time finishing assignments on time? Perhaps the need help getting organized.
Is the homework too hard?
Maybe your child has fallen behind and needs support.
What Is Homework?
Homework is defined as out-of-class tasks assigned to students as an extension or elaboration of classroom work. There are three types of homework: practice, preparation, and extension. Practice assignments reinforce newly acquired skills. For example, students who have just learned a new method of solving a mathematical problem should be given sample problems to complete on their own. Preparation assignments help students get ready for activities that will occur in the classroom. Students may, for example, be required to do background research on a topic to be discussed later in class. Extension assignments are frequently long-term continuing projects that parallel class work. Students must apply previous learning to complete these assignments, which include science fair projects and term papers.
The purpose of homework is:
To strengthen skills.
To extend classroom learning.
To stimulate and further interests.
To develop initiative, self-direction and responsibility.