Estabrook Homework Guide
Excerpt from School Committee Policy:
Although it is impossible to predict the time necessary for all students to complete assignments because of different learning rates and age levels, the following is suggested:
Homework Assignments by Grade Level (excludes reading for pleasure):
Kindergarten and Grade 1 — homework not regularly assigned (exception: math curriculum requires regular Math Homelinks.in Grade 1).
Grade 2 - fifteen minutes each night.
Grades 3 and 4 - thirty minutes each night.
Grade 5 - forty-five minutes each night.
In addition, parents should continue to read to their children and encourage and support their child's recreational reading. Homework is generally assigned two to four times a week, generally Mondays to Thursdays. No homework will be given on legal and religious holidays or during vacations.
General Homework Guidelines:
- A primary purpose of homework in the elementary grades is to learn independence and organization. Praise your child for working independently and doing the best work he or she can do on his/her own. Send the message that homework is your child's responsibility (not yours).
- Ask your child to proofread and check his or her work. If you feel your child hasn't done his or her best, give the paper back with general feedback about what you expect to see.
- Do not expect your child to always turn in a perfect paper. Teachers need to see what students are able to do on their own.
- If your child is consistently having difficulty with homework or it is becoming a family issue, contact your child's teacher.
Proofreading Guidelines
- Ask your child to read what he or she has written aloud. Many mistakes will be identified by this step alone.
- Expect your child to "do everything you know how to do." This means spelling words that have been learned, using capitals and periods, etc. according to your child's grade. Send your child back to do his or her best work.
- Expect your child to use references, such as the high frequency word list (and dictionary for older students), but do not expect him or her to look up many words.
- If you wish to help your child improve spelling, count the number of misspellings and write the number on the bottom or put a dot on the line where there is a misspelling (for younger students) and ask the child to go back to find and fix them. Do not mark and write the correct spelling for every word yourself.
- Set expectations according to your child's capabilities. Young writers can be expected to find and fix at least three words, for example. Many 5th graders can be expected to spell all words correctly.
- Focus on correct spelling of high frequency words (see this guide) and personal high frequency words (e.g. words that your child uses often, such as "soccer," "grandma").
- Do NOT do the proofreading and editing work yourself.
Reading for Pleasure Guidelines
Reading for pleasure is associated with increased achievement, and is the single most important element of homework at the elementary level. To be most effective:
- Reading is part of a enjoyable family experience (e.g., bedtime ritual). Children who are told they must do their reading will not experience the same benefits as those who look forward to a positive family experience.
- It is an interactive experience. Books are discussed and enjoyed together. What will happen next? What does it remind you of? What does that word mean? Modeling a love of reading makes all the difference.
- Young children should primarily listen to you read and read aloud to you. As children become older, they should read silently more often, but also benefit greatly from hearing stories aloud.
- Allow your child to choose what interests him or her to read. Series books (e.g. Goosebumps, Babysitter's Club) are good practice. Nonfiction and comic books are fine.
- Children should read EASY books at home to develop comprehension and fluency. If your child struggles or doesn't readily know 3 or more words on a page, save this book to read aloud to your child.
- Repeated listening and readings of the same story is an excellent practice, especially for young readers. Young readers benefit from echo reading, in which you read a page and the child then reads the same page. Taking turns reading can reduce fatigue and keep children engaged as well.
- If your child is unsure about a word or misreads it, try the following prompts, "Does that look right?" "Does that sound right?" "Does that make sense?" "Let's try that sentence again."
Homework Challenges & Suggestions
If these initial suggestions are not successful, promptly contact the teacher.
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Problem
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Estabrook teachers say:
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Homework is repeatedly taking too long (longer than policy specifies)
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- Have child stop when the allotted time is over. Do not keep child up late.
- If child is not finished, have child bring in work incomplete experience school consequence.
- Avoid continual arguments, cajoling, etc. Remain matter-of-fact and calm.
- Write a note or call teacher to discuss problem.
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Child says he or she doesn't remember how to do homework.
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- Have child read directions aloud twice.
- Have child tell you what he or she does remember.
- Look at example, if provided.
- Have child call a friend to ask for help.
- Refer to Parent Reference materials.
- If none of these are successful, send homework in undone with note attached explaining problem.
- Do NOT guess if you are unsure.
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Child does not remember homework planner or papers to bring home
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- Make sure child really does not have it.
- Allow child to experience consequences at school.
- Have consequence for forgotten homework, such as requiring child to do alternative assignments.
- Contact teacher to discuss situation.
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Child forgets to bring homework done back to school
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- Have child to show you that he or she has put homework into backpack before going to bed.
- Contact the teacher to work out a behavior management system.
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Child only does homework if adult is constantly with child.
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- Help child with first problem and then ask him/her to check in with you when the section is done independently.
- Break homework into sections.
- Have child work in same room without sitting next to child.
- Give positive reinforcement for independent work, even if it is not perfect.
- Plan a special activity together for when homework is done.
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Child has difficulty getting started writing
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- Have child tell you what he or she wants to say orally. Write a few key words as child speaks to serve as prompts.
- Have child make a "web" of ideas to be included.
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Child says, "that's not how my teacher told me to do it."
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- Check parent letters and references.
- Write a note to teacher.
- Do NOT teach something you're not sure of.
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Child gets overwhelmed by long term assignment or puts it off
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- Help child to chunk project into parts and write "deadlines" on calendar
- Expect child to do a little every night as part of homework.
- Projects should be done by the child with only brainstorming and logistical support from parents.
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Unsure how to study spelling words
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- All words should be printed in a list. Child should: 1) Read and Look at Word, 2) Cover word up, visualize and write it, 3) Uncover original word and check.
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150 Most Frequently Used Words in Student Writing
(Focus proofreading on these words)
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a
about
after
again
all
also
an
and
another
any
are
around
as
at
away
back
be
because
been
but
by
called
came
can
come
could
day
did
different
do
does
down
each
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even
find
first
for
from
get
go
good
great
had
has
have
he
help
her
here
him
his
how
I
if
in
into
is
it
its
just
know
like
little
long
look
made
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make
man
many
may
me
men
more
most
much
must
my
new
no
not
now
number
of
off
old
on
one
only
or
other
our
out
over
part
people
place
put
right
said
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same
say
see
she
so
some
such
take
tell
than
that
the
their
them
then
there
these
they
think
this
three
through
time
to
too
two
up
use
very
was
water
way
we
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well
went
were
what
when
where
which
who
why
will
with
words
work
would
write
you
your
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