3rd grade homework policy

Many teachers and parents believe that homework helps students build study skills and review concepts learned in class. Others see homework as disruptive and unnecessary, leading to burnout and turning kids off to school. Decades of research show that the issue is more nuanced and complex than most people think: Homework is beneficial, but only to a degree. Students in high school gain the most, while younger kids benefit much less. In class, teachers can make adjustments to support struggling students, but at home, an assignment that takes one student 30 minutes to complete may take another twice as much time—often for reasons beyond their control. And homework can widen the achievement gap, putting students from low-income households and students with learning disabilities at a disadvantage.

What’s the Right Amount of Homework?

Many teachers and parents believe that homework helps students build study skills and review concepts learned in class. Others see homework as disruptive and unnecessary, leading to burnout and turning kids off to school. Decades of research show that the issue is more nuanced and complex than most people think: Homework is beneficial, but only to a degree.

Students in high school gain the most, while younger kids benefit much less. In class, teachers can make adjustments to support struggling students, but at home, an assignment that takes one student 30 minutes to complete may take another twice as much time—often for reasons beyond their control.

And homework can widen the achievement gap, putting students from low-income households and students with learning disabilities at a disadvantage. However, the minute guideline is useful in setting a limit: When kids spend too much time on homework, there are real consequences to consider. As young children begin school, the focus should be on cultivating a love of learning, and assigning too much homework can undermine that goal.

A more effective activity may be nightly reading, especially if parents are involved. For second-grade teacher Jacqueline Fiorentino, the minor benefits of homework did not outweigh the potential drawback of turning young children against school at an early age, so she experimented with dropping mandatory homework. As students mature and develop the study skills necessary to delve deeply into a topic—and to retain what they learn—they also benefit more from homework.

Nightly assignments can help prepare them for scholarly work, and research shows that homework can have moderate benefits for middle school students Cooper et al. Crossing that upper limit can drain student motivation and focus. Brian Sztabnik, a veteran middle and high school English teacher, suggests that teachers take a step back and ask themselves these five questions :.

When students spend too much time on homework—more than two hours each night—it takes up valuable time to rest and spend time with family and friends. Teachers should also keep in mind that not all students have equal opportunities to finish their homework at home, so incomplete homework may not be a true reflection of their learning—it may be more a result of issues they face outside of school.

They may be hindered by issues such as lack of a quiet space at home, resources such as a computer or broadband connectivity, or parental support OECD, In such cases, giving low homework scores may be unfair. Since the quantities of time discussed here are totals, teachers in middle and high school should be aware of how much homework other teachers are assigning. Psychologist Maurice Elias sees this as a common mistake: Individual teachers create homework policies that in aggregate can overwhelm students.

He suggests that teachers work together to develop a school-wide homework policy and make it a key topic of back-to-school night and the first parent-teacher conferences of the school year. If a parent has positive attitudes toward homework, their children are more likely to share those same values, promoting academic success. Small Benefits for Elementary Students As young children begin school, the focus should be on cultivating a love of learning, and assigning too much homework can undermine that goal.

Moderate Benefits for Middle School Students As students mature and develop the study skills necessary to delve deeply into a topic—and to retain what they learn—they also benefit more from homework.

Brian Sztabnik, a veteran middle and high school English teacher, suggests that teachers take a step back and ask themselves these five questions : How long will it take to complete? Have all learners been considered? Will an assignment encourage future success?

Will an assignment place material in a context the classroom cannot? Does an assignment offer support when a teacher is not there? Get the best of Edutopia in your inbox each week.

Homework Policy. A list of homework assignments will be sent home the first day of each week. Students should read for at least 15 minutes every night. Third Grade Homework Policy. Dear Parents,. In compliance with Greenbrier's homework policy, third grade students will be assigned 30 minutes of homework​.

Grade 3. Homework Policy. Homework is an important part of learning. Not only does it reinforce skills that have been covered in class, but it also serves as a way for children to practice responsibility and independence. Third grade students are assigned 20 minutes of reading and approximately 30 minutes of additional homework each night.

Third graders should expect on average minutes of homework each night. This may be less or slightly more at times due to preparation for assessments and tests, absences, or unfinished work from the school day.

P: F: 0. The purpose of homework in 4 th grade is to help students develop good study habits, promote responsibility, and enhance understanding of concepts taught that school day. Homework provides a significant opportunity for parents to show their interest and give their support.

Homework Policy

Homework Policy. Why I assign homework:. I believe homework is important because it is a valuable aid in helping students to make the most of their school experience. Homework reinforces previously taught skills and prepares students for upcoming lessons. Overall, homework teaches responsibility and helps students to develop positive study habits. When homework will be assigned:.

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The purpose of homework is to reinforce the concepts taught during the school day, and may be differentiated at the discretion of the teacher at times. In addition, parents will be notified when homework is not being completed on a consistent basis. Students may benefit from the use of personal planners to learn organizational skills, especially in the older grades. The GCS guideline for homework is 10 minutes per numeric grade per night i. Generally, working on assignments in a quiet environment in the same place each day yields the best results. If an assignment is requiring an unreasonable amount of time a parent should get involved and write a note to the teacher indicating the amount of time already spent and progress made. Should concerns arise, a parent may contact the teacher. If a student is out for a prolonged period of time generally for more than a day due to illness or other excused reason, a parent must contact the school before noon as allowance is made in order to arrange to pick up the work your student has missed. All work needs to be made up within a reasonable length of time as determined by the situation and teacher.