Now that our class is full swing, I wanted to explain my expectations for homework and ensure everyone is on the same page.

**I strive to keep the nightly homework to a minimum!  I want the students to work hard during class and play and love hard at home. **

Monday-Thursday Homework

Reading – Read for 40 minutes and get the weekly homework chart / reading log signed.  I do not believe in nightly reading reflections/summaries.  The students are analyzing text, writing reflections, and discussing what they read in class all day.  I want the nightly reading to be relaxed and enjoyable to promote a love for reading.  I encourage the students to read text that challenges them, but I also want them to read what they enjoy.  Your signature on the nightly log is my “proof” that reading for 40 minutes took place each night.  Students should be reading 1 book from beginning to end… the same book that is read for homework should then be brought to class and read during the day.  If a student wants to spend 40 minutes on Achieve 3000, that is fine also.  However, any activities completed after 3pm will automatically not be factored into Lexile adjustment.

Math – 5 problems are assigned each night.  The assignment is called “Fresh 5” because it covers all standards taught from the beginning of the year to the most current lessons, so it keeps everything fresh in their memory.  If a student doesn’t understand a question, I ask that he/she at least TRY.  This might just be rewriting the key information or starting to draw a number line.  Every day during class, we go over all 5 problems together, so any questions will be answered and addressed.

Other HW – Sometimes classwork becomes homework.  This might be a writing assignment on Google classroom, an ongoing project, or math classwork assignments.  If class time is used wisely, these extra homework assignments should be rare.

Friday “Homework”

Every Friday, we record all current test scores, late homework assignments, and progress on Achieve 3000 for the week.  (The goal is to do 4 or more activities with a score of 88% or higher each week.)  Please sign this Friday report (the back of the homework chart / reading log) before Monday morning.

A note on communication

Each morning, student homework checkers look at the homework chart / reading log and math assignments.  I do not necessarily see these items each day.  If you have anything you need to communicate with me about, please do not write me on these papers as I may not see it.  Or, make sure your child shows me what you wrote!  A better way to get in touch with me is always email.