Homework Routines
It’s helpful for children and their families to begin to get into a practice of planning for weekly homework at the beginning of the school year.
It’s important for all children to get outside and play after school and also to have some relaxing time. At first grade, homework should be take on the average ten minutes a night and should serve as reinforcement for concepts already learned in the classroom.
I like to have a pretty predictable routine for homework, so that we all know what to expect. Families can then make plans around their household schedules.
Here’s the routine that I’d like to follow:
Whenever possible, please read to your child every night.
Beginning around the end of September, children will be bringing home a book each day to read to you. This book should be at an independent level and should not be a struggle. You’ll have a quick form to check off to let me know how this level was. Some nights, your child may bring home his or her writing to read to you.
Other Homework:
I’ll plan to send other homework home on Tuesday, with the expectations that it is returned to school by the following Monday (or earlier). As a family, you can schedule the homework for the times that best fit your schedule.
Math: Children will have two or three math games or other math assignments a week.
Science, Social Studies, or Health:
From time to time there will also be Science, Social Studies, or Health assignments sent home. You’ll usually have a week to do them with your child and get them back to school.
Library Book
I’d also like your child to share his library book with you at a time when you can both enjoy it.
* This is VERY IMPORTANT!
If homework time is ever a struggle, please let us know. It’s essential that you and your child feel positive about working on school work together. So, if children are having trouble with homework, we want to make sure that we address it before they develop negative attitudes about themselves or about school.
Thank you,
Sally Brooks