Lower School
	Homework Policy

Homework in the Lower School

At LREI we value homework and consider it an important bridge between classroom experience and home. Homework provides an opportunity for students to deepen and extend their learning, to review concepts, consolidate skills and develop life-long habits of independent study and daily reading routines. In essence, it's the time when students digest new curriculum and make it their own.

Teachers assign many different types of homework. Sometimes it is a review of class work or a follow up activity related to a discussion or class trip. Other times homework is designed as preparation for an upcoming discussion or a new focus of study. But, no matter what type of assignment, there are consistent expectations. Students are always expected to take their time and do their best work. They are encouraged to review and proofread their work. Form (including ones name and date), neatness, punctuation, accuracy and conventional spelling are important goals regardless of grade level.

The work that is sent home is designed for students to approach independently. Teachers do not aim to challenge or stump students with regular homework assignments, though extension pages do demand more effort and thought. They prefer to challenge students in school where children can benefit from collaboration with their peers and the support of their teachers. That said, aspects of your childs learning profile, i.e. the individual differences that a student brings to a task, do affect the level of difficulty. These include not only their understanding and ability in a specific area, but also their fine motor, memory and organizational skills such as time management, content layout, and their organization of needed materials.

As students become more experienced at managing the challenges of homework, they develop and strengthen life skills such as: responsibility, accountability, independence, communication, time management, organization, self-reliance, perseverance. They build life-long habits of learning.

First Grade

In late September, we introduce homework to First Graders by assigning work one night a week. Assignments are designed to be manageable for First Graders, to extend classwork and to provide parents with a glimpse of the curriculum. Many assignments include a short statement or specific instructions for parents. We increase the number of assignments sent home each week as the year progresses and families become accustomed to the demands of homework. By the end of the year, First Graders have homework three times per week.

Second Grade

Homework begins the first week of school in Second Grade and is assigned three times per week. Stamina, independence and accountability are stressed as students begin to manage their assignments with less parental involvement. Students learn to put completed homework in their backpacks and then in the classroom homework box. In Second Grade, independent reading becomes a major component of homework. By the end of the year, Second Graders have homework four times per week. In addition to literacy, assignments include math, science, social studies and Spanish.

Third Grade

Homework begins the first week of school and is assigned four times per week. Third Graders have independent reading every night in addition to assignments in other subject areas. At times, students work on long-term assignments.

Fourth Grade

Homework begins on the first day of school and is assigned four times a week. Fourth Graders use a homework planner to manage their short and long-term assignments. When involved in Literature Circles or long-term research assignments, students read at home and prepare notes and questions to use in the following day's discussion or worktime.

Parent's Role

Generally, the goal for parents is to help children learn to help themselves. Adults can set children up for success by providing:

• A quiet space

• A consistent time each day

• A distraction-free period

• Materials, colored pencils, markers, tape, glue, scissors, highlighters, index cards, stapler, pencils, pens, erasers

• Help with directions, if necessary

• Questions, rather than answers

• A reminder to include name and date

• Reminders that echo the teacher's words and approach

• A reminder to review/proofread work

• An expectation that children do their best work

• Warm, supportive encouragement

Homework provides a wonderful opportunity for teachers and parents to work in partnership to support a child's learning. Homework assignments offer parents a view of the direction their child's class is taking. They are small pieces of a larger curriculum puzzle. Returned work with teacher comments allows parents to get a sense of teacher expectations, see how their child is faring and to assess the level of commitment and effort appropriate for a particular grade level and type of assignment. These indications add opportunities for meaningful dialogue between parents and children.