Homework is any school-related assignment which is completed outside of the school setting and enhances the educational progress of students.  It reinforces what has been learned in class, prepares students for upcoming assignments, extends and generalizes concepts, builds responsibility, and develops essential study habits.  Assignments are adjusted as needed to meet the needs of individual learners and learning styles.  

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Homework is one vehicle for home-school communication, and parents can assist in making it a positive experience for their children.  Homework must be planned to strike a balance between academics, family life, and the child’s needs.

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Suggested Time Guidelines*

Grade Time/Days Per Week

Kindergarten/Grade 1                     0-15 minutes, 2 days/week

Grade 2                                         15-20 minutes, 2-4 days/week

Grade 3                                         15-30 minutes, 2-4 days/week

Grade 4                                         30-45 minutes, 3-4 days/week

Grade 5                                         30-60 minutes, 4 days/week

 

*  These time guidelines do not include the minimum of 15  minutes of at-home recreational reading, which is expected of all students in grades K-5.

 

General Types of Homework

Homework assignments may include the following:

• practice assignments that reinforce skills/concepts taught in class

• preparation  for future learning

• cumulative review on concepts already mastered

• study assignments to prepare students for tests or assessments

• long-term assignments or projects (these are not done entirely at home and increase as students move into higher grades)

• research projects

• assignments to foster critical thinking

• daily recreational reading

• assignments not completed in class

 

Student Responsibilities

1. Understand how your teacher’s homework system works.

2. Understand the purpose of your homework.  If you don’t understand, ask your teacher.

3. Keep your student planner with you (grades 5), and write down all homework so that you remember what to do.

4. Do homework at the same place and time each day, if possible.

5. Complete homework in a neat and timely manner.

6. Do your own work, but ask your parents for assistance if needed.

7. Ask your teacher for help the next day if you did not understand the assignment.  Ask your parent to send a note saying the assignment was too difficult.

8. Return assignments on the date due.

9. When you return from an absence, you are responsible for asking your teacher (at an appropriate time) any questions you have about missing work.

 

Parent Responsibilities

1. Review “Homework Guidelines” provided by Ventana Vista.

2. Explain the purposes of homework.

3. Assist your child in setting up a homework center and schedule by mutually agreeing upon the time and place to do homework.

4. Assist your student with assignments only if necessary.  If your student has trouble getting started on a homework assignment do the following:

    a.) Have your child read the directions and explain what he/she will do.  If your child is unable to proceed:

        •Read the directions to your child.

        •Ask questions concerning task completion.  Stress the order of steps in the task.

    b.) Have your child complete the first item.  If your child needs further help:

        MODEL:  Show your child how to do the first item.

        PROMPT:  Ask your child do the second item with you.  Guide your child as needed.

        MONITOR:  Watch your child complete the third item.  If correct, let your child work independently and check back later.  If your child’s response is incorrect on the third item, PROMPT and MONITOR again.

    c.) If it is clear that the assignment is too difficult, attach a note to the teacher.  Your child should not complete the assignment.

5. Expect ongoing communication.  Parents should feel free to initiate communication as needed (e.g., write a note, message via Remind, or call if an assignment is too difficult or surpasses the suggested time limit; parents should not modify due dates for long term assignments).

6. Recognize your child’s efforts in regularly completing homework.

 

Makeup Opportunities for Classwork and Homework

Attendance in school is essential to the academic progress of students; therefore, excessive absences, either excused or unexcused, disrupt the educational process.  It is understood that there are times when parents determine that other activities are vital to the student’s development and in some cases will need to be excused from school to participate in those activities.  When this occurs, the following guidelines should be followed:

1. Parents are responsible for contacting the school in writing at least one week in advance of a planned absence.

2. The classroom teacher is responsible for collecting copies of materials and assignments given to the class during the absence. Teachers are not expected to prepare these materials in advance of the absence.

3. The student and/or the parent is responsible for picking up all make-up work upon returning to school.

4. The student and/or the parent is responsible for arranging with the teacher an acceptable period of time for the return of the make-up work.

5. When a student has been absent for illness, reasonable time will be given for makeup work once the student returns to school.

 

 

Students who will be absent less than three days should work with a classmate to collect missing assignments or collect assignments after returning to school.  If a student is ill for three or more consecutive days, the parent may call the school and arrange to pick up missed assignments after 3:15 p.m.  Teachers are not expected to prepare these materials in advance.  Parents and teachers are reminded that Governing Board Policy JKD and A.R.S. 15-803 provides that students must be in attendance at least 90% of all class sessions or the students may be retained.