Mrs Marshalls 3rd Grade Marvels

 

I believe that homework is a valuable part of the educational process because it involves school and home communications, reinforcement of skills learned in class, and extra practice on key concepts.

 

Please expect about 20 minutes of homework per night, in addition to 25 minutes per night (or 125 minutes per week) reading practice.  Reading is to be recorded and signed in the weekly Reading Log.

 

Monday will usually be a writing exercise.  Tuesday and Thursday will usually be spelling/vocab/word work practice.  Wednesday will usually be math practice.  Fridays and weekend work will usually only be reading and corrections or assignment redos.  Occassionally, there will be special projects that require additional work.

 

Homework will be sent home every Friday in the FRIDAY FOLDER.  It is to be returned in the FRIDAY FOLDER every Thursday.  Watch for this folder as it includes our weekly newsletter, Reading Log, and homework packets.  Students who fail to complete their homework or return their FRIDAY FOLDER on Thursday will be excluded from Friday's POWER HOUR and will complete the missing work during that time.  Please help your child be responsible for this practice. 

 

Please let me know if you have a concern with the amount of homework your child is doing. 

 

MRS. MARSHALL’S HOMEWORK POLICY

 

I believe that homework serves the purpose of reinforcing things that your child has already learned in class.  It should ALWAYS be review, practice, or reinforcing materials.  I will not introduce new material for homework.  If your child has material for homework that he or she does not understand, you can give them guidance, or have them speak to me for additional instruction.  My standard will be no more than 20 minutes a night for homework plus additional reading. 

 

During the first week of school, homework will be to read for 25 minutes, complete the Reading Log, and have a parent sign it.  Beginning on the second week of school, students will begin the regular homework program outlined below.  The assignments for the week will go home every FRIDAY in the FRIDAY FOLDER and are to be returned every THURSDAY.   While you will only receive one weekly packet, the intention is for it to be completed on a day to day basis, rather than cramming it all in on Wednesday night.

Late homework for reasons other than an excused absence cannot be accepted.   Most parents choose to have their children turn in assignments if they are late even though no credit will be awarded, simply so the child gains the academic benefits from the work.   I will “grade” homework in terms of COMPLETE, INCOMPLETE, or MISSING.   This grade will be reflected on the WEEKLY EVALUATION, and at each grading period.  Students who do not turn in their completed FRIDAY FOLDERS on Thursday will not get to participate in Friday’s POWER HOUR, and will instead use this time to complete missing assignments.

Parental signatures are REQUIRED !  Due to work schedules and other conflicts, it can sometimes be difficult for parents to check their children’s homework each night.   Grandparents, babysitters, adult siblings, and anyone else who can communicate regularly with the parent about the child’s work when the parent is unable to supervise it may sign as needed, upon the parent’s request with the teacher.

 

Homework assignments will follow the following format all year long.  Exceptions might be made for special projects:

 

 

Homework Hints

• Assume that your children will have studying to do every night.

• Ask your children if they understand their homework. If they do not, work a few examples together.

• Ask your children to show you their homework after the teacher returns it, to learn where they're having trouble and where they're doing well. See if your children did the work correctly.

• Stay in touch with your children's teachers. Ask about their classes and what they are studying. Ask their teachers how you can support what they are studying (flash cards, spelling, etc.).

• Remember, you and their teachers want the same thing — to help your children learn.

• Don't be afraid to get in touch with the teacher if you and your child don't understand an assignment or if your child is having a great deal of trouble. Almost all parents run into these problems, and teachers are glad to help.

• Don't do your children's work for them. Help them learn how to do it themselves.

• Show your children that you think homework is important. If you are at work during homework time, ask to see their work when you get home.

• Praise your children for doing well. Make praise a habit.

• Maintain a portfolio of "best pieces."

• Ask your school about tips or guides for helping your children develop good study habits.

• Help older students organize their assignments by recording them on calendars or planners, along with due dates, dates turned in, etc.

 

 

 

HOMEWORK HELPER SITES for students:

 

http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/bjpinchbeck/

 

http://www.homeworkspot.com/

 

HOMEWORK HELP SITES for parents:

 

http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/homework.html

 

http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/homework/index.html

 

http://www.nea.org/parents/homework.html

 

 

 

Tips for developing good study habits:

 

Tips for Easing Angst
Whether the kitchen table is Homework Central or your child works better in the quiet of his own room, there are several things you can do to ensure that assignments are completed with maximum efficiency and minimum angst.

• Understand your child's physical needs, and make sure they are met before homework starts. Most kids will need a healthy snack, for example; and many will need to blow off some steam with physical exercise. Let them run — but set a time limit.
  
• Set a regular homework schedule. With myriad extracurricular activities and sports schedules, it may not always be possible for your child to do homework at the same time every day. Still, a regular routine works best, whether it's right after school or immediately after dinner. Don't wait until just before bedtime, when he may be too tired to concentrate.
  
• Have your child track daily assignments in a notebook or planner. Many schools provide a homework "agenda book" or something similar. If not, buy your own. If it's there in black and white, your child is less apt to forget an assignment.
  
• Designate a homework area and make sure your child has all the supplies she needs. Small, clear, plastic stacking boxes are perfect for holding — and keeping visible — sharpened pencils, markers, staplers, paper clips, rulers, calculators, etc.
  
• Use a sticker chart if your child needs a little additional incentive. Every day his homework is completed, put up a sticker. After a week, get him his favorite candy bar or rent his favorite movie over the weekend. After a month, take him on a special outing.
  
• Come up with a system to ensure that homework is not only completed, but turned in. Peters recommends using two clear pocket folders, one marked "homework to be done" and the other "completed homework." If the completed homework is visible in the same place every day, it's more likely to end up in the backpack the next morning.

 

"There's a fine line between helping and doing too much for kids, so they're not learning," says teacher Betsy Rogers. Walking that line may take some adjustment, but finding the right balance will result in less chaos and more self-sufficient kids in the long run.

http://www.scholastic.com/schoolage/grade5/homework/independence.htm