SchoolWide Homework Policy

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School-Wide Homework Policy

• Curriculum Night Presentation
• Brier Elementary School
• September, 2003

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Homework Policy Goals

• Increase regular independent reading
• Increase parent participation in reading
• Increase consistency of expectations
• Facilitate parent homework support
• Ensure that all students are challenged to meet
  rigorous academic standards, that includes daily
  homework.

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Why a homework Policy?

• Benefits to students
• Consistent expectations school-wide
• Repeated practice of skills
• Minimize focus on structure of homework
• Maximize focus on content of homework

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Why a homework Policy?

• Benefits to parents
• Clear and consistent expectations
• Expectations at home are well-defined with weekly
  feedback on childs progress
• Homework is easily understood and manageable

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History of Policy

• Math Team- homework suggestion
• Research Review Decision that all staff will
  assign homework
• Committee to Develop Policy
• Review/Revision by all Faculty
• Review December, 2003

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What is in the Policy

• Tips for making homework successful
• Reasonable/Rigorous Time Expectations
• Policy about late work
• Consistent Reading Log
• Consistent Assignment Schedule
• Consistent Scoring Guide

FOR MORE INFO...

• See letter in 9/23 Brier Bulletin regarding our
  Homework Policy and a copy of the documents

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Time Expectations
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What is oral reading?

• If child cant read, adult reads to them with
  questioning
• If child can read, alternate every other minute.
  Child reads to adult, and adult reads to child.
• Important to practice oral fluency, and hear oral
  fluency.

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What is Silent Reading

• Reading text not too easy, not too hard- use the
  5 finger test.
• At end of reading, simple follow-up questions are
  important
• Complete bobcat reading log

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What is additional homework?

• Assigned by teacher
• Completion of work not completed during the
  school day
• Homework packets
• Individual assignments
• Variations on time projects

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Assessing Homework...

• Not included in grade of subject
  standards-referenced education
• Might appear in effort and LLLS independent work
  habits
• Weekly feedback on performance
• Slip included with report card
• No late homework accepted

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Bobcat Reading Log

• Reflective reading...
• Keep a reading log
• Record book title
• Create reading time (recording total minutes)
• Record author notes (room for that)
• Confer with other readers (parent initials)

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Weekly Assignment Schedule

• Includes score from last week, and notes about
  incomplete work
• Room for every day and notes
• Room at bottom for any challenges completing work
• Intermediate students compare to planner

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Homework Scoring Guide

• Scored on 1,2,3,4
• 3- meets standard
• All work completed
• Few mistakes
• Neatly done

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Hows Your Homework Habit?

• Included in trimester report cards
• Indicates whether assignments are being modified
  in any way
• Opportunity for parent feedback

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What should homework look like?

• Primary grades- strong support
• Intermediate grades- decreasing support,
  increasing independence,
• If intermediate students are having difficulty
  with independence critical time to hold them
  accountable
• Preparing for middle school

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Next steps...

• Teachers will start implementing
• We will review feedback from parents and staff in
  December and make any necessary changes

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Questions?