THIRD GRADE HOMEWORK POLICY

EXPECTATIONS

·       Students will work independently on homework for approximately 45 minutes a day in a quiet, non-distracting setting.  The 45 minutes must be focused, productive time, including independent reading

·       Homework expectations will be reviewed at Back to School Night, during Parent Conferences, and on the classroom website.

·       Students will write homework in their agendas on a daily basis in class.

·       Homework is skill practice; it is included in the Work Habit/Effort grade.  Homework can be graded, reviewed for accuracy, or used as a tool to guide classroom instruction.

LENGTH AND DURATION

·       Approximately 45 minutes per night, Monday - Thursday.  This includes 20 minutes reading of a chapter book per night (read to self, read with parent, and/or parent reads with child.) Homework is sent home daily to be returned the following day.

·       No homework or projects assigned over the weekend or breaks. Some long-term projects, such as dioramas, may span over the weekends, but not over breaks.  Student may reasonably complete these projects during weekdays.  When special projects are given, other homework is reduced.

OBJECTIVES

·       Homework provides students with the opportunity to independently apply information they have learned and complete unfinished assignments.

            Math:

·       Review skills and practice already learned concepts with Practice Book pages.  

·       Increase fluency in multiplication & division facts with the use of flash cards or online games.

·       Develop problem-solving strategies and the ability to explain their mathematical reasoning.

Language Arts:

·       Improve reading fluency by reading aloud and silent independent reading.

·       Increase comprehension through AR quizzes, reading logs, and RAZ Kids.

·       Practice using student’s preferred strategies. (SpellingCity.com, practice tests, etc.).

·       Spelling reflects phonics skills learned and integrates writing and grammar curriculum. Students turn in a spelling contract packet weekly.

Science/ Social Studies:

·       Review skills and practice concepts already introduced in class.

DIFFERENTIATION

·       Independent reading is at the child’s reading level.

·       Student will progress at their own pace learning Spelling Words and Math Facts.

·       Extension or review of skills can be done at home through www.raz-kids.com or www.firstinmath.com.   Completing portions of assignments (i.e., only odds), asking students to go deeper with the knowledge/apply skill (i.e., completing additional higher-level questions not originally assigned, leveled-projects), or seeking out additional online-resources (i.e., Khan Academy, etc.).

COMPLETION

·       Students should stop working once a frustration level is met.  Parent has the right to discontinue homework 45 minutes.  If homework is not completed within this time frame, parent may initial the work on the line, indicating that it was modified, and turn in.  Full credit will be earned since the child met the time requirement.  Teachers understand that each child is different and that the parent knows the child best.