Homework Policies

I believe in the importance of parent involvement in every aspect of their child’s education. School work done at home is part of that process. It is important for children to have some work from school to do or at least share at home on a daily basis. Children should have plenty of books and read at home every day. Reading is the most important subject for a child’s success in education.

I also believe that school work done at home is under the direction of the parent as the teacher. Parents of students in my class have the right to adjust the school work done under home supervision to meet the needs of their child, their family. Simply sign homework and explain any adjustment to requirements and the work will be counted as complete or extra credit will be given to work beyond the original assignment.

Your student should devote around twenty minutes a day reading at home individually and or sharing with others. Parents may send a note delaying an assignment for a day to meet the needs of the family. Homework should not be excessive and should not compete with family activities. The maximum amount of time spent on homework would vary between families. I believe that the total required homework and reading time at home should not be over forty minutes a night and most often twenty minutes or less. However, many students love to read and are willing to spend hours with a good book or two. Some like to do extra credit math and individually pursue other subjects.

I like to structure my grading so that the grade will measure more the interest and effort that the child makes and not simply reflect their ability in relationship to the rest of the class. Any hard working child in my class has the ability to get top grades even if their current level of skill in the subject may be below many of the other students. Also, those students who come to the class with high level skills may not receive good grades if they are not applying themselves commensurate with their abilities.

I will not allow the grading process to interfere with effective education. I will evaluate and keep records on the abilities and efforts of the students in relationship to my needs to be aware of their work, effort, and progress. Records and class time will not be devoted to the process of creating a grade for the child.

Grades will be used only as a portion of the discussion and communication between us. Knowing, understanding, and appreciating each child as they struggle to learn and express themselves as individuals is important to parents and teachers. Let us emphasize learning and personal growth, not grades.