Why I Give Homework

Homework is an excellent way to reinforce classroom learning and to provideopportunities to teach students personal responsibility for that learning.Establishing good homework habits now will help your child throughout the rest oftheir academic career. 

What Kinds of Homework to Expect  

Nightly homework:

1.     Students need to read daily for 20 minutes. This may include your child reading silently or aloud.  You or another family member may also read to your child to complete their 20 minute time requirement.  Please write the title of the book or books read and initial the homework agenda page.

2.    Students need to study their spelling words for at least 10 minutes each night. Please select a spelling activity on the attached page. Complete the activity in your spelling notebook. Write the spelling activity selected on the homework agenda page and initial.

3.    ****Optional but really awesome***** 10 minutes of quick but effective math questions that get your child really thinking mathematically. A monthly math calendar will be included in your child’s homework folder. Each day of the calendar is filled with mathematical reasoning questions. The questions themselves should only take a few minutes but can generate a lot of mathematical discussion. So remember to talk to your kids about their answers and record those answers on the homework agenda page.

 Homework Procedures      Each day your child will bring home a homework folder and a spelling activities notebook. Inside this folder you will find a homework agenda page, a list of ideas for your child’s spelling activity homework, and the optional math calendar. I understand things come up and families get busy. If for some reason your child is unable to complete their nightly homework please send me a quick note and I will be happy to excuse them for the night.  Please initial the homework agenda every evening.  Your child is responsible for returning their homework and spelling notebook each day!  

The cardinal rule for helping with homework…Never work harder than your child!  

Help make homework a priority by scheduling time each day for your childto complete homework. Children need routine and structure to be successful. Helpyour child develop a good homework routine by asking to see their homework agenda and by making sure your child puts their homework folder in their backpack to return to school the next day. This will help keep your child organized andeliminates the frustration of losing a paper or assignment that is needed in class. Homework folders will be sent home on Tuesday September 7^th. If you have any questions, concerns, or problems with this policy, please let me know. I am very open to suggestions, and I want all parents to feel they can communicate with me. If the homework is ever too hard or confusing for your child, please do not finish it for him/her. Just send a note to me the next day explaining what you observed. Please, never do your child’s homework, or let an older sibling do it for your second grader; that defeats the whole point of giving and doing homework.

                                                                                      Spelling Activities  

 Please select one activity a night to help your child study their spelling words. Please complete activities in your child’s spelling notebook 

Fast and effective ideas (for those of you in a time crunch here are some quick and easy ideas!J) ·         Write your words three times each

.·         Write a sentence with each word.

·         Draw a picture of each word

.·         Rainbow write your spelling words.  (Write each word with a crayon in different colors.)

·         Quiz your child on their words.  Give them a practice spelling test.

·         Put some salt in a shoe box and have your child practice writing their words with their finger in salt.

More great ideas for helping kids to learn spelling words.

Kinesthetic learners

·         Use the salt bin to spell out your spelling words

.·         Write about your favorite physical activity.  Use at least 8 spellingwords.

·         For ten of your spelling words think of an action that represents it. Share this action with another person.

·         Think of a time when you have seen the spelling words “in action” inyour life.  Do this for at least five of them.    Write about it

.·         Use your body as a “pencil” and spell out the spelling words.

·         Write your words three times each.

Linguistic:

·         Write a short story using at least 5 spelling words.

·         Write 5 jokes using your spelling words.

·         Write down the spelling words and their definitions        using the glossary.

·         Choose 3 picture books.  Read them and find as many spelling words as you can.  Site the book title and pagenumber (if possible).

·         Write a poem using at least 8 spelling words.  Take notice of the rhyming words and patterns.

Spatial Intelligence

·         Draw one picture which contains at least 8 spelling wordsbeing used in the correct context

.·         Draw a map of any area you choose.  Use at least 5 spelling words to give directions on how to get to the destination.

·         Write about what you wish you were doing right now instead of spelling.  Use at least 9 spelling words. (Mrs. Shaw’s favorite)

·         Doodle your spelling words.  Make it creative.  Use a lot of detail on each word.

Musical Intelligence

·         Create a chorus to a song using at least 5 spelling words.Substitute your own words, using some spelling words, into the beat of a song you already know.  For example:“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.”  Take notice of the syllables in each line as well as the rhythm.

·         Write 10 sentences about how music makes you feel using your spelling words.

·         Write about a positive experience you have had with music using 10 spelling words.

·         Write about your favorite band/ singer using 10 spelling words.

·         Step outside the door, if you wish, and sing the spelling words in a melody.

·         Write a rap song using your spelling words.

Interpersonal Intelligence

·          Look around the room and describe one of your classmates or family members, using at least 5 spelling words.  Describe his/her actions, expressions and how you sense they are feeling today.

·          Describe your closest friend using 10 spelling words.

·          Think of a problem that some of your peers are having.  Write the problem down and then think of a solution.  Describe the solution using at least 5 spelling words.

·          Describe a situation, in writing, where you have helped another person or had a genuine concern for their happiness, health or safety. (Use at least 5 spelling words.)

·          Are you a leader?  Why?  What makes a good leader?  Who do you know that is a good leader?  Answer one of these questions using 5 spelling words.

·          Write a speech on something you believe in.  Use at least 5 spelling words.

Intrapersonal

·         Find somewhere quiet in the room and study your spelling words.

·         Describe a collection of personal items you have.  Why are they important to you?  What are you going to do with them someday?  Does anyone else know that you have them?  Where did you get them? (Use at least 8 spelling words in your description.)

·         Write about what you dreamt last night.  Be descriptive.  (Use at least 8 spelling words.

·         Describe a strength or weakness that you have.  How can you use your strength to make the world a better place.  How can you overcome your weakness?  Pick one topic and write a paragraph using at least 5 spelling words.·         Write a poem about how you are feeling this week, or about a certain topic.  Be specific.  Use at least 4 spelling words.·         In some form:  writing, poetry or drawing write about who you areas a person.  Show your strength and power. Find a way to incorporate 4 spelling words.

Naturalistic

·         Take a list of your spelling words.  Do a nature observation and write a record of what you saw.  Use 4 spelling words in writing your observation.

·         Write, in a short story, poem or paragraph, about what you want to be when you grow up.  Why?  Use at least 7 spelling words.

Or come up with your own spelling ideas!!!