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- This Month's Focus
- Parent's Role
- Student's Role
- Resources
"Setting the Stage for Homework."
Homework reinforces the learning that goes on every day in class. It also gives students the chance to practice without the pressure of time.
It teaches students to organize their time, to work independently, to use good study skills, and to develop self-discipline.
Educators know that homework can be the link between school and home that encourages parents to become involved with their child’s learning. It is recommended that in addition to daily homework assignments, that children participate in reading activities and practice math facts.
A guide for assigning homework is generally 10 minutes per grade level, i.e. Grade 4 – 40 minutes.
Parent's Role
Parents have a positive impact on the value of homework. Homework provides parents an opportunity to reinforce learning and be engaged in their child's education.
Provide a study area – your children need a quiet, well-lit comfortable study area with good work surfaces, good ventilation and good storage space.
Set aside a specific time – homework is a discipline effort. Make sure your children know that homework is the number one weeknight priority. Set and keep rules about using the phone and watching TV on school nights.
Show an interest – find out how homework relates to your children’s class work and take time to discuss homework with them. Provide encouragement and assistance where possible, but don’t do the homework for your child. Do make sure that it’s completed.
Monitor homework – look for homework every day. When your child doesn’t bring work home, find out if they’re completing it at school or forgetting to bring it home. If you find they actually have little or no homework on a given night, don’t be concerned. Assignments vary throughout the year, from course to course, and from teacher to teacher. Just make sure that whatever is assigned is understood and completed.
Student's Role
Homework has many benefits for children. It can foster many character traits such as independence, responsibility, and time management.
Student's Role:
Bring homework assignments home. This may include worksheets, textbooks, assignment notebooks, etc.
Do your homework independently and ask for guidance, but not for answers.
Pack your backpack and turn in your homework on time.
Additional Resources:
- United States Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/involve/homework/homeworktips.pdf
- National Association of Elementary School Principals
http://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Report_to_Parents/2008/rtp10-08.pdf