Why so little homework?
The goal of homework at this age should be to help kids develop good study habits and feel successful. It is to reinforce skills learned at school. Not teach it.
Experts in the field recommend (link is external) children have no more than ten minutes of homework per day per grade level. Therefore at 3rd grade we are looking at 30 minutes each night.
Included in that should be 10 – 15 minutes of independent reading. Let them read whatever they want! A comic book, a cookbook – just READ!
Third grade readers should be able to:
- Read fluently and enjoy reading
- Use a range of strategies when drawing meaning from the text
- Use word identification strategies appropriately and automatically when encountering unknown words
- Recognize and discuss elements of different text structures
- Make critical connections between texts
This all helps to improve writing skills, as well as, help them develop critical thinking skills.
Each night they should also practice their spelling/vocabulary words for about 10 minutes. A study guide is sent home on Monday’s with the words and definitions they need to know for the test – usually on Friday.
Finally XTRA MATH (link on my webpage) 10 minutes of Xtra math practice is perfect right now to help build a strong foundation for the multiplication lessons upcoming.
In addition the SIMPLE SOLUTIONS (workbook/homework) will be starting next week.
Occasionally, I will send home a worksheet to complete (or finish) that supports the learning done in class, however, for the most part those assignments are done in class.
I believe play is a crucial component of healthy child development. It affects children's creativity, their social skills, and even their brain development. The absence of play, physical exercise, and free-form social interaction takes a serious toll on many children. It can also have significant health implications as is evidenced by our current epidemic of childhood obesity, sleep deprivation, low self- esteem, and depression.
A far stronger predictor than homework of academic achievement for kids aged three to twelve is having regular family meals. Family meals allow parents to check in, to demonstrate caring and involvement, to provide supervision, and to offer support.
**So, get them OUT OF THE HOUSE, running around, riding bikes, playing tag (etc) and try (whenever possible) to eat together. These activities will go farther to help your child’s growth and development than an hour of written, pen to paper “homework.” ; )