HomeworkReading at home is practice, but should not be too hard. Our goal at home is reading engagement (finding pleasure in reading). The challenging stuff will be given in school. Students can read books, magazines, informational websites (not miniclip.com), etc. For suggestions on good books, go to the Links to fun stuff page and look under the Reading section.
Monday Grammar - Paragraph Edit "All Creatures Great and Small" Math - AIMS Practice And extra credit to those who want it. Reading - Read for 20 minutes - have parents sign agenda Tuesday - Grammar - Paragraph Edit "All Creatures Great and Small" Math - AIMS Practice Reading - Read for 20 minutes - have parents sign agenda Wednesday - Grammar - Paragraph Edit "All Creatures Great and Small" Math - AIMS Practice Reading - Read for 20 minutes - have parents sign agenda Thursday - Grammar - Paragraph Edit "All Creatures Great and Small" Reading - Read for 20 minutes - have parents sign agenda Math - AIMS Practice There will be a Quiz every Friday to measure how students are doing in the Unit. Friday - No homework |
Homework PolicyFifth graders should have about 50 - 60 minutes of homework each night (not including Fridays and weekends). Half of that should be reading. If your child spends more than 20 minutes on an assignment, they may be frustrated or confused. In some cases, certain students work slower than others. If you suspect your child is frustrated or confused (or looks the same as the boy pictured here), keep reading.
The only reason I will give homework is for students to get extra practice on a given lesson. In some cases, students will not fully understand a concept or will not remember what needed to be done. If your son or daughter is unable to complete a given worksheet, DO NOT HELP THEM. I know this sounds backwards, but hear me out. Once again, homework is practicing something we've already learned. If a student did not get the concept, that means I need to reteach that concept. A student who does 10 problems they don't understand has just practiced doing something the wrong way 10 times. We don't want that. This is not to say you are not qualified to help, I know you are. Having students come back and ask me questions gives me important feedback so I can plan lessons according to the needs of the students. (AND, let's face it, you already passed 5th grade. You shouldn't have to do it again.) So here's what you do: 1. If your son or daughter is crying, tell them it's OK and hand them a tissue (for boys, a shirtsleeve will do just fine). 2. Ask them to tell you, or write out, what steps or parts of the homework they remember. - in some cases, this well help them remember how to complete the assignment. 3. Ask them to write down what they are not sure about or a question they want to ask. Have them write it on the homework sheet so they remember it the next day. 4. Give them a hug and tell them you love them. They will be given time in class to ask their question and an opportunity to complete the work without penalty. |