Homework Assignments

Parent Information

Homework Assignments

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Reading: Read a Reading Counts book each night for 30 minutes.

Writing: One night each week, write a summary paragraph of a book or chapter in the Super Hero Homework Journal. IVF sentence + supporting detail sentences.

IVF stands for I = Identify the subject; V = Verb (what action the subject took); F= Finish the thought.

Example from Charlotte's Web:

I V F

Wilbur escapes from the pen and Lurvey chases him (This, along with the title of the book or chapter number, creates the topic sentence for the summary.)

An additional sentence for each trimester should give information that supports or elaborates on the topic sentence. (1st trimester -1 supporting sentence; 2nd trimester - 2 supporting sentences; 3rd trimester -3 supporting sentences ).

A well written paragraph might look like this:

In chapter 3 of Charlotte's Web, Wilbur escapes from his pig pen and Lurvey, the farm hand, chases him around the farm. The other animals laugh at the funny sight. Wilbur finally realizes he would not be happy running free and returns to his pen.

Students must complete 1 entry per week which may be done any night but MUST be done by Friday a.m. to earn "Fun Friday."
Please refer to student's examples in their homework journal completed in class using the books Stuart Goes to School and Wayside School.

* Students must bring their "Reading is Our Super Power" book bag, Reading Counts book, and Homework Journals to class everyday.

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Math:

Daily assignments texted to parents via Remind.

To be completed at home if not completed in class:

Reflex Math: 3 - 5 times per week/ 10 minutes per visit or until green light achieved

Ten Marks: 2 new assignments/week + re-do's on any assignment < 70%.

How can families help at home?

Moving Forward with Math

How can families help at home?

Nightly Homework

First, let your child work on their own.

DO NOT walk them through each problem.

Suggest that they refer to the examples done in class.

Next, review their work and circle their errors.
Instead of solving the problem for them, ask these questions:
- Did you read the question carefully?
- Did you underline/circle keywords and numbers?
- Did you draw a picture/model?
- What operation are you using? (Add, subtract, multiply, divide)
- What strategy are you using? (Repeated addition, equal groups, arrays, etc…)
- You used the correct operation, did you check your math?

Help your child feel successful by returning homework that is thoughtfully completed. Parents can seek help at http://www.hmhco.com/GoMathHelp/Help/Math-Help-Tips-Home

IT IS YOUR CHILD’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT THEIR MATH IN THE FOLDER AND THEIR FOLDER IN THEIR BACKPACK. THIS IS THE YEAR TO BUILD INDEPENDENCE.

Reflex Math

Students need to “play to the green” at least three times each week. If your student is still working on addition/subtraction, they should be playing on a daily basis, as fluency in addition and subtraction was a 2nd grade standard. The 3rd grade report card will reflect students' fluency in multiplication and division only.

After October, most of the math instruction will depend heavily on fluency in addition/subtraction as well as in multiplication/division.

General Homework Expectations

Daily homework assignments focus primarily on reading and math. Students are expected to:

Read for 30 minutes at least 5 days/week

Write a summary paragraph about what was read in homework journal 1x/week
Complete 1 math page 4 days/week
Work online on Reflex Math for 15 minutes, 3 days/week

Students who do not complete assignments in class due to inattention, lack of effort, or absences may be asked to complete work at home or at recess.

Students who are not making progress towards their reading goals (as determined by Reading Counts data and journal entries) will be asked to read every night, including weekends and holidays, or at recess, until they meet their goals.

Students may choose to practice Typing Agent at home - however, please be sure they are using correct keyboarding skills (hands consistently stay on home base keys; no "hunting and pecking").

Late homework will receive partial credit. Homework will be due the day after an absence. Family members may ask to pick up homework assignments for absent students.

Reading Homework

Read every day for 30 minutes. Students should be reading outside of class every day for about 30 minutes. Especially to begin with, as students build up stamina and endurance, they may choose to break their 30 minutes up into 2 periods of 15 minutes or 3 periods of 10 minutes. The books students read should be within a 100 point range of their lexile and must be in the Reading Counts program in order for students to take a quiz.

Reading Counts

Students choose library books in the program (denoted by a red label).
Students will be directed to choose books within their lexile range.
Quizzes (10 questions) are taken on a school computer.
3 chances to pass with a 70% score or better,
Words read are calculated for each quiz passed.

Progress in Reading Counts is one way for the teacher to gauge the amount of time your child is independently reading. Students must take at least one test per week. Students may take tests during computer lab time (at least twice per week), during free time in class (on tablets), at recess, and before and after school.

Homework Journal

Students write a summary paragraph one time per week. Guidelines and examples can be found in the "Wild

About Reading" Homework Journal. Journals, Reading Counts book, and book bag must accompany child every day.

Online work:

Students can access a variety of online programs from home. Some programs will be assigned as actual assignments, others are resources and practice they may use.

Reflex Math

Reflex is an adaptive online system that develops math fluency through practice and engaging games. Parents can keep track of their own child's progress in Reflex by signing up for a free parent account at www.reflexmath.com/parents. Information about setting up an account has been sent home and you can simply ask your child for his or her log-on information. You may access your child's individual reports at any time to monitor usage and progress.

Typing Agent:

This program replaces TypingPal from last year. Students may practice at home but this is not a requirement. Students must be sure to use the correct finger placement while practicing.