Homework and Computer Support

Yesterday, you received a letter from Ms. Kargas regarding homework and computer programs to use at home. Grades 2-8 take the NWEA test every fall, winter, and spring. Compass Learning is a program that uses that data to provide appropriate learning activities for the students in those grades. RAZ Kids will be available to all students in grades K-1 very soon, and I will send home the login information as soon as I have it.

In the meantime, please make sure that your child is doing his or her homework each night. The packet we send home each Monday includes some reading, math, and writing activities to work on, but it is most important that your child spend 10 minutes every night reading, 10 minutes every night on math, and 10 minutes every night on writing.

Reading:

Your child needs to spend at least 10 minutes each night reading. You must record the books they read on the reading log that is attached to the homework packet. I expect to see at least one entry for every day of assigned homework. This is how I know what they are reading!

Math:

There is usually a math page included in the packet, and sometimes there are additional math pages sent home from our workbooks. These can be used for math practice. If your child finishes these pages early in the week, they still need to be practicing math for 10 minutes every night. Making addition flash cards to use at home would be a great way to spend this time.

Writing:

Each week the homework packet includes a book report. They may use one of the books they took home from school or a book from home. As this is a writing activity, please encourage them to write the report. Help them by asking what they want to write, and repeat it back to them if necessary. Help them say difficult words slowly to hear the sounds, and then they can write down the letters for the sounds they hear. Sometimes the homework packet also includes other worksheets that involve writing. If your child completes all the writing work early in the week, they still need to practice writing for 10 minutes every day. Keeping a home journal is a great way to spend this time.

Spelling:

The spelling test is the last day of each week. Please make sure that your child is practicing the words throughout the week. Please also review old words so your child does not forget them. The week of December 16^th will be a review week, so no new words will be introduced and students will be tested on words from previous weeks.

The homework packets are always due the last day of each week. If your child is absent, he or she must hand it in the next day they come to school. I look for three things as I check homework: that initials are in every box on the cover page, that the activities are complete, and that there is at least one reading log entry for every day.

As Ms. Kargas said, we want to work together to help your child succeed! Please ensure that reading, math, and writing are being done every night and that homework packets are being returned complete and on time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.