FAQ #1 - What do you expect will be assigned as homework?
It is my belief that homework should mainly consist of activities to extend and support learning in the classroom. Instruction and guided practice occur during the school day, and further application continues at home. The most important activity students should participate in at home is reading. Reading, reading, reading, and more reading!!! Reading is the foundation for success in EVERY subject, not just reading class. Students not only need to read in reading class, but also in math, social studies, science, music, art, health, and phy ed (did you notice that list includes every class students take?). As adults, we read reports, email, magazines, newspapers, programming on TV, text messages, Facebook posts, blogs, sale ads, recipes, nutrition labels, menus, and the list goes on and on. We cannot possibly prepare students for every job they may have as adults, but we can teach them the reading and thinking skills they will need to be successful in any career they choose. Therefore, the most important work completed at home should be reading all kinds of texts (fiction and nonfiction, magazines, recipe books, comic books, etc.). Students should read a MINIMUM of 30 minutes every day!!!
In addition to my mission to foster a love of reading in my students, I also strive to encourage healthy living habits. Encouraging healthy eating habits and regular exercise not only provide immediate benefits for student learning in the classroom, but also create lifelong habits that will lead to better health and overall wellness as an adult. I always encourage my students to participate in an extra-curricular activity, such as dance, hockey, swimming, Tae Kwon Do, soccer, baseball, etc. These activities provide the added benefits of building teamwork, self-confidence, and belonging. Since not all activities extend throughout the school year, I regularly encourage my students to have daily active time. In the fall and spring encourage your child to go for a walk, ride bike, play softball or kickball with the neighborhood kids, walk the dog, or in the winter encourage sledding, building a snow fort, or doing something physical inside. If you prefer to stay home, try a kids workout video or a game for Wi-Fit (or other system), do jumping jacks, stretches, or yoga. Please encourage your child to be physically active for a MINIMUM of 30 minutes each day. After all, kids need to be kids, and just playing outside will get their heartrate up, lungs working, and blood flowing!!!
A few times each week students may also have specific assignments or activities to complete at home. These activities will consist of things like reviewing for a test, working with word building (adding prefixes and suffixes), or finishing work not completed during class time. If students use their time wisely, they will rarely need to bring assignments home to complete!
FAQs #2... coming soon!
