Grandview Elementary School

GrandviewElementary School

Homework and Practice Guidelines

Purpose of Homework:

It is the intention of the Grandview Elementary staff to assign relevant, challenging and meaningful homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives.
Homework contributes toward building responsibility, self-discipline and lifelong learning habits.
Students need time to adapt and shape what they are learning as they practice. As they practice, given time, they will incorporate the new skill into a knowledge base of their own, deepening understanding.

Research indicates that schools in which homework is routinely assigned and assessed tend to have higher achieving students.

Time:

Actual time required to complete assignments will vary with each student’s grade, study habits, and academic skills.
Regardless of student ability or prior coursework, the amount of time they devote to homework and practice increases their achievement.
A rule of thumb is 10 minutes per grade level per day.
The following time scale is approximate:

Kindergarten- 0-10 minutes; 1st grade- 10 minutes; 2nd grade- 20 minutes; 3rd grade- 30 minutes; 4th grade- 40 minutes; 5th grade- 50 minutes

Students at all grade levels should work on homework each day- Students should also devote some time to reading at home every day
If your child is spending an inordinate amount of time doing homework, you should contact your child’s teachers.

Responsibility of Teachers:

Assign relevant, challenging and meaningful homework that reinforces classroom learning
Give clear instructions and make sure students understand the purpose
Provide timely and appropriate feedback beyond grading
Provide consistent reinforcement- positive recognition for homework completion, and appropriate consequences for lack of completion
Involve parents and contact them if a pattern of late or incomplete homework develops
Teachers typically do not assign homework (other than reading) over holiday and long weekend periods or on weekends that typically involve family gatherings, such as Mother’s Day-Students who have been absent or have fallen behind may be required to do homework during holidays and special-event weekends

Responsibility of Parents/Caregivers:

Set a regular, uninterrupted study time each day
Establish a quiet, well-lit study area
Monitor student’s organization and daily assignments
Be supportive when the student gets frustrated with difficult assignments
Contact teacher to stay well informed about the student’s learning process- If your student is struggling with content and cannot successfully complete the homework, contact the teacher by phone call, e-mail or note

Responsibility of Students:

Consequences for not doing homework:

The teacher will inform the parent by phone or in writing
Students who have not completed homework (grades 1-5)may be kept in for recess to do the work unless other arrangements have been made-Each grade level will determine it’s own late work procedures and consequences and share with grade level parents in writing

Homework for absent students:

Students who miss homework because of an absence will receive the opportunity to make up missed work
When students are absent due to illness, teachers try to limit make-up work to essential concepts covered
Students are typically given one calendar day for each day absent plus one extra day to turn in their work
This work will be assessed without any deduction in grade
If parents know ahead of time that a student will be absent for more than two days, they should contact the office one week in advance to request work that will be missed during the absence
One complete day is required for teachers to put together work packets for current student work missed during an absence
Long-term absences will each be addressed on an individual basis

Drafted 5/12/10; Approved by Board of Education 6/17/10