Homework is an important part of learning for all Gainfield students. Completing your homework well and on time can
make you a better student! Homework assignments are given by your teachers so you can practice skills and understand concepts (big ideas) that have been taught in the classroom. Most of the time, your parents will not have to give you lots of help with your homework. They can help you complete your homework responsibility by doing the following:
1. Finding a quiet, comfortable place to do your homework.
2. Helping you decide the best time to complete your homework.
3. Checking your homework to make sure it’s complete and well done, and signing your assignment pad.
4. Letting your teacher know of any special problems you had with your homework.
How much time you spend on homework depends on your grade and how well you use your time! This chart shows how much time most students in your grade should spend on homework each day.
Gr. K – 1 No specific amount is specified at this level
Gr. 2 – 3 15 – 30 minutes
Gr. 4 – 5 30 – 45 minutes
In addition to these homework times, we expect you to spend 15-30 minutes reading one of your favorite books every night.
For some families, completing homework can be a very frustrating experience. It doesn’t have to be! Here are some suggestions that seem to make the experience more pleasant and productive for other families and, perhaps, they’ll work for yours. First of all, remember that the homework is your child’s responsibility!
You can provide encouragement and support by doing the following:
1. Identify a work space that is conducive to the completion of homework.
2. Keep younger siblings away.
3. Decide with your child, a specific time to complete homework. There is no “best time” to do one’s homework.
4. If requested by the teacher, help with occasional special projects.
5. Write a note to the teacher if your child is experiencing difficulty with an assignment or project.
If your child experiences difficulty completing homework within the suggested time frame on a consistent basis, please contact the classroom teacher. Also, if your child is being frustrated with a homework assignment, try one of the following strategies:
• have your child take a short break, then return to the assignment
• put the work away and have the teacher deal with it (a note from you will help the teacher understand the situation)