Homework Information

     It is my belief that homework helps to build skills and provides students with a chance to practice skills from school at home.  I also think that homework can provide students with opportunities to build responsibility and good future work skills.  For these reasons, and others, I do assign homework. However, I feel that weekends are family time and I will do everything in my power not to invade that time with your child.
    

     Homework will usually consist of math, spelling practice, and reading.  Students’ math assignments come directly from the skill we are studying at school, or math fact practice.  I will work with the class to complete several of the problems, then have them work independently, while I check their answers to ensure accuracy.  Students will be asked to finish this work at home.   The spelling homework will consist of studying the spelling words for the weekly spelling test that will be given on Friday.   

      Any other work that students bring home is unfinished class work.  I give students ample time and opportunity to complete most of their work here at school, if excessive incomplete class work becomes a problem, it is usually for one of these reasons:
* Your child is not using his/her time wisely at school.
* Your child may need to have some adjustments made to his/her seating in the classroom, so as to limit distractions.
* Your child may be struggling with the content that is presented in the lessons.
If you are concerned about the amount of work your child is bringing home nightly, please contact me and we can discuss what to do about the situation.

 Mrs. Smith's Classroom Homework Policy

     Homework will be assigned by Ms. Smith on a weekly basis.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete, and return this work in a timely manner. Assignments are due to be turned in each Friday prior to the ringing of the bell, unless you were/are absent, or Mrs. Smith tells you otherwise. When homework is assigned, it should be placed in your backpack immediately.  Homework and classroom assignments will be checked off daily, to ensure student completion.  Consequences will be as follows:

**Consequences for not returning work:
Daily: Students will not receive a grade for the assignment, and will receive a zero until it is turned in, they will lose a portion of their recess for the day, and a note WILL be sent home to parents regarding the missing work. The note will be expected at school the next day, signed by a parent. Students will fill out a Missing Assignment Card for missing assignments. These cards will be kept on file in the classroom. Students are issued punch-cards upon the first missing assignment occurrence. For EACH missing assignment (homework and school work), students will receive a punch on the card. After 10 punches, students will be referred to Mr. Durham.

 
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT STUDENT GRADES WILL SUFFER IF WORK IS NOT RETURNED! LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED WITH A DEDUCTION OF 10 POINTS. PAPERS WITH NO NAMES WILL RECEIVE A DEDUCTION OF 5 POINTS FOR EACH OFFENSE.  MAKE-UP WORK IS EXPECTED TO BE RETURNED IN A TIMELY MANNER. IT WILL BE COUNTED AS ZEROS IF IT IS NOT COMPLETED AND TURNED IN WITH ACCORDANCE TO DISTRICT POLICY.

Rewards for turning in work in a timely manner:

* Positive self-image   * Full Recess Time (unless docked for behavior)   * Being smarter!  * No danger of being sent to the office for missing work.   * Reward punch-cards!! (For each DAY that you return ALL of your assignments, you get a punch on the card. When you have 10 punches, it turns into a 1/2 homework pass, so that you can do only half of an assignment (I get to choose which half.)  * STAR awards  * Extra recesses    * In-class rewards   * Positive notes/phone calls/emails home!!!