Homework
According to Robert Marzano, Classroom Instruction That Works, (2001) homework in the elementary grades doesn't effect student achievement in the same way it does in high school. However, we know it is important for young learners to do some homework to develop good study skills and an excitement for learning. Creating home routines establishes the importance for home practice and allows you, as parents, to see the wonderful things your child knows.
Homework should be something that students are familiar with, and they should get very little help from parents other than setting routines and a place for work to be done. Hopefully, this will help avoid struggles at home so homework doesn't become a fight. It is important to remember that homework should be something your child calls "easy" and fun. The plan is to integrate the internet with traditional homework skills in order to make homework fun, independent and successful.
District recommendations and current research dictate about 10 minutes of homework per grade level each night, in addition to time spent reading (therefore, 1st graders should receive about 10 minutes per night, not including habitual reading). Homework should be reflective of what is being worked on in class and should be graded at home. If your child is spending significantly longer than this on a consistent basis, please discuss the situation with your child's teacher.
Homework should be something that students are familiar with, and they should get very little help from parents other than setting routines and a place for work to be done. Hopefully, this will help avoid struggles at home so homework doesn't become a fight. It is important to remember that homework should be something your child calls "easy" and fun. The plan is to integrate the internet with traditional homework skills in order to make homework fun, independent and successful.
District recommendations and current research dictate about 10 minutes of homework per grade level each night, in addition to time spent reading (therefore, 1st graders should receive about 10 minutes per night, not including habitual reading). Homework should be reflective of what is being worked on in class and should be graded at home. If your child is spending significantly longer than this on a consistent basis, please discuss the situation with your child's teacher.