Our Shared Responsibility Homework is defined as any work assigned to students during class and completed outside of the class it was assigned in or completed during non-school hours. For every statement in support of homework, an opposite one can be found. There are many variables and factors involved. For homework to be successful, many components must be addressed. Simply assigning homework is not enough. The purpose of homework is to enhance student achievement; help students become self-directed independent learners; and to develop good work habits. Parents can expect homework to be: • planned and organized by the teacher • consistent with the needs and abilities of students • purposeful to students • reviewed and returned to students in a timely manner • within the guidelines of 30-50 minutes a day (Mon.-Thurs) for 3rd to 5th graders Homework may be assigned outside of the students' day for: • Practice -- to help students master specific skills which have been presented in class; • Preparation -- to help students gain the maximum benefits from future lessons; • Extension -- to provide students with opportunities to transfer specific skills or concepts to new situations; and • Creativity -- to require students to integrate many skills and concepts in order to produce original responses.

Our Shared Responsibility

Homework is defined as any work assigned to students during class and completed outside of the class it was assigned in or completed during non-school hours. For every statement in support of homework, an opposite one can be found. There are many variables and factors involved. For homework to be successful, many components must be addressed. Simply assigning homework is not enough.

The purpose of homework is to enhance student achievement; help students become self-directed independent learners; and to develop good work habits.

Parents can expect homework to be:

•planned and organized by the teacher

•consistent with the needs and abilities of students

•purposeful to students

•reviewed and returned to students in a timely manner

•within the guidelines of 30-50 minutes a day (Mon.-Thurs) for 3rd to 5th graders

Homework may be assigned outside of the students' day for:

•Practice -- to help students master specific skills which have been presented in class;

•Preparation -- to help students gain the maximum benefits from future lessons;

•Extension -- to provide students with opportunities to transfer specific skills or concepts to new situations; and

•Creativity -- to require students to integrate many skills and concepts in order to produce original responses.

Teacher responsibilities:

•Carefully plan and organize homework assignments in accordance with time length guidelines.

•Assign homework consistent with the needs and abilities of students.

•Make clear to students at the time of the assignment the purposes of homework, the guidelines or rules, and the basis for evaluating the work performed.

•Monitor and check for student understanding of the assignment and skills necessary to successfully complete the homework.

•Review, acknowledge and return homework in a timely manner.

•Utilize homework to locate problems in student progress and to individualize instruction.

•Confer with parents regarding concerns as they arise.

Parent responsibilities:

•Provide encouragement and support. Show interest in your child's work.

•Assist students to develop good study habits by providing a comfortable, well-lit area free from distractions.

•Evaluate your child's activities to be sure they have sufficient time to study and participate in family or outside activities.

•Schedule a regular time for homework completion. Monitor homework completion and the efficient use of time.

•Encourage students to complete their own homework, unless otherwise specified.

•Confer with teachers regarding homework concerns and review student's planner.

• Acknowledge responsible homework habits and effort.

• Contact teachers for homework on extended absences from school

Student responsibilities:

•Understand the homework assignments before leaving school.

•Take home all necessary materials to complete assignments.

•Schedule and organize time for homework that is compatible with family and/or after school activities.

•Schedule time free from distractions.

•Complete and return homework on time.

•Confer with teachers regarding homework concerns.

•Record your assignments in your Daily Planner.

•Collect and turn in all work missed during absences from school.