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Homework Guidelines
Wilson Elementary School has developed guidelines for a schoolwide homework policy in order to clarify general expectations for students, parents, and teachers. Each teacher will develop a classroom homework policy based on the following guidelines in the fall.
Homework is an important part of each student's educational program. It provides a means of teaching necessary skills of independent study and learning outside the classroom. It helps to promote good study habits and encourages students to share classroom experiences with parents.
Other reasons for homework:
- To build interest in reading and learning.
- To increase learning.
- To establish self-discipline and independent study skills.
- To encourage parent awareness of student learning.
- To make up work due to an absence.
- To provide an opportunity to pursue special interest of ability areas.
- To complete work started in class.
- To expand and/or enrich regular class work.
For Students
It is important to develop good study habits at school and at home.
- Be sure you understand the assignment, and ask your teacher if you need help understanding the assignment.
- Set aside a regular time to do homework.
- Study in a quiet place.
- Complete your work and hand it in when it is due.
- Do your best on each assignment.
For Parents
Parents can support a child's interest in lifelong learning by providing an environment at home in which homework is a high priority:
- Provide a quiet, well-lighted place for the student to do homework.
- Help the student budget time so that a regular schedule for study is set up. Take an active interest in what the student is doing at school. Ask for an explanation of a particular assignment. Make constructive suggestions, but avoid severe criticism and undue pressure. A positive attitude by parents will encourage the student to do the best work possible.
- Encourage and guide your child with assigned homework. Under no circumstances should you actually do the work for your child.
- Regular school attendance is important for your child's continued academic growth.
- Consult your child's teacher as soon as problems arise.
- Let your child take full responsibility for doing his/her homework and getting it to school on time, including accepting the consequences of not getting it to school on time.
Homework is an important part of the instructional program at Wilson School. The Wilson School Teachers have met and determined these guidelines for homework, and share them with you so that parents can anticipate expectations, as well as understand their role in this part of their child's learning.
| Grade Level | Nightly Reading | Other Homework | Total Time Each Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool | 3 year olds: 10 Minutes 4 year olds: 15 Minutes | Approximately five minutes of "activie" folow-up activities | 3 year olds: 15 minutes 4 year olds: 20 minutes |
| Kindergarten | 20 minutes | Approximately ten minutes of "activie" folow-up activities | 30 minutes |
| 1st Grade | 20 minutes | A mathematics assignment form the day's lesson (up to 20 minutes) | Up to 40 minutes |
| 2nd Grade | 20 minutes with a short reading log entry | One spelling paper One math paper | 40-60 minutes |
| 3rd Grade | 30 minutes with a reading log entry | One spelling or language arts paper One math paper | 60 minutes |
| 4th Grade | 30 minutes with a reading log | Language Arts Homework Math Homework | 70 minutes |
| 5th Grade | 30 minutes with a reading log | Language Arts (spelling, vocabulary, etc.) Math Homework | 80 minutes |
| 6th Grade | 30 minutes with a reading log | Language Arts (grammar, spelling, etc.) Math Homework | 90 minutes |
In general, you can expect that ...
- Homework is a "follow up" of what was taught in class that day or recently
- These times are estimated for work done in a quiet location, with minimal distractions
- If your child's homework isn't completed in a reasonable amount of time, please write a note to your child's teacher on the paper and send it in.
- Homework is done at home. Some time is given in class for independent practice, but you can expect your child to have homework Monday through Thursday evenings.
- Nightly Reading is either time an adult reads to a child, time the child reads to an adult, or time the child reads independently.
