Homework
While driving home from school the other day (about 5:15 pm), we watched a group of MCES students get off a school bus. Thinking about our own children and the limited time we have with them to play after school, it made us sad to think that when they walked in their home they would only have time to eat, bathe and do homework before bed.
With that in mind, we have decided to change the way we typically do homework. We do think that homework has a place, as far as teaching responsibility and also reinforcing things taught in class. However, as parents we also feel that children need time to just be children and play with friends and family after a long day at school. So, we are going to try something new. We do expect that children read at least 30 minutes every night. The reason for this is that the only way one becomes a better reader is by reading. Also, we want them to realize that reading is not punishment. If you choose books that are interesting to you, it is actually very entertaining! Your child should be reading books on or around their lexile range. If the book is too hard, it will be frustrating. If it is too easy, it will not help them become stronger readers! In addition to reading 30 minutes each night, your child will be required to write in a Reading Response Journal at least one night every week. (see description of that journal below)
We will do SRI tests (reading tests that determine a person’s lexile level) every 9 weeks. If we see that a child is not growing in reading, we will start assigning that child reading homework to help them with skills needed to grow. Honestly though, if each child reads each night and is picking books close to their lexile level, each child will grow! In order for that to happen though, your child has to read each night.
Student Reading Response Journals
(The journal is the one subject notebook we had on the supply list)
- After lunch everyday, the students will have about 20 minutes to read a self selected reading book. (The book must be around their lexile level)
- In addition to the daily reading that will take place in class, the students are required to read every night for about 30 minutes. (Often, this will be the only reading homework your child will have)
- Students are also required to write in their journals about what they are reading at least one night each week.
- Students will turn in their journals Thursday morning for a grade.
- In your child’s response journal, you will see how your child should set up each entry, and the rubric I will use to score the entries.
We hope this change in homework helps you to have more time with your child. Math homework will vary based on the lesson that day. WCS adopted a new math program that often has homework. We will try to give some time in class to work on it.
On the 4th grade EOG, your child, ______showed a lexile of ______. During the first week of school, your child took an SRI test and showed a lexile of ______. Typically if a child doesn’t read everyday (as is most often the case over the summer) the lexile will drop. If that is the case, you will probably see a lot of growth once they start reading every night! Please help us by encouraging your child to read each night! Thanks so much!!!!
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