Fifth Grade Homework Guidelines for Parents

Why Homework? Fifth grade continues to be a pivotal year for promoting independence and strong work
habits as your child transitions into upper elementary/middle school. Homework helps reinforce these
dispositions. It reinforces what has been learned in class and prepares students for upcoming lessons and
activities. Homework also keeps you informed on whats going on at school.

Homework Assignments: All homework should be transported to and from school in your childs
homework binder. Every effort will be made to assign homework that is relevant and worthwhile. Students will
be required to record their daily homework assignments in their student agendas. Students will need to take the
time to record their homework assignments in their agenda before packing up for the school day. As the year
progresses, there will be other longer-term assignments that will require your child to budget his/her time - he/she
will probably need help with this.

How Much Homework? I expect students to work hard during the day. I believe that after school time should
be spent playing and exercising, spending time with family, and getting to bed early. I do not believe that
homework should dominate after-school time. Therefore, I am careful not to assign a heavy load of homework.
Homework should usually take no more than an hour to an hour and a half depending on how quickly your child
works (including 30 minutes of home reading). Please be aware that homework may take longer for a number of
reasons - if your child is resistant or unaccustomed to homework, the homework environment is distracting, your
child is hungry, etc. (see the How Parents Can Help section). If homework is taking longer than an hour and a
half, and you cant identify home factors, please contact me so we can problem solve and explore options.

How Often? I will assign some homework Monday-Thursday. Students are expected to read for 30 minutes a
night, Monday-Thursday. Students are also expected to work on assigned spelling and study their weekly words
each night (about 10 minutes). The remainder of homework should take about 30 minutes. There is no weekend
homework (unless your child has make-up work or spends time working on special school projects during this
time).

Due Dates: Most assignments are due on the day after they are assigned, but some will require several days to
complete. If there is a legitimate reason why your child is unable to finish a homework assignment, I ask that
you send a note to me on the day the homework is due, stating the reason it was not competed. It is expected
that such homework will be handed in on the following day.

Consequences for Incomplete or Missed Homework: I design homework to build upon what we are doing
in class. What we do in class the next day often relates to the prior nights homework. When a student does
not do his/her homework, he/she is out of the loop in terms of what we are doing in class. The greatest cost of
missing homework, therefore, is to your childs education and overall sense of security in class. Missed
homework will also negatively affect a students grades. If the assignment is crucial to something we are doing in
class that day, or missed homework becomes chronic, he/she will need to attend the lunchtime homework club in
the intervention room (which serves fifth to eighth grade students) instead of playing.

Homework Quality: I expect students to do their best work on all homework assignments. Homework should
be neat and completed in pencil. Homework should reflect the learning that has occurred in class.

Absences and Make-Up Homework: Homework and classwork that needs to be made up will be given to
your child. Please help them to finish and TURN IN this work by the following Monday.

Homework and Grades: I will check all the homework. Sometimes students will be asked to re-do homework
if they failed to follow the directions, did not do a thorough job, or missed a concept.
How Parents Can Help: Make homework a priority by providing the necessary homework supplies and a
quiet environment in which to study. I recommend that a specific time each day be set aside for homework to be
completed. Provide praise and encouragement for all homework efforts. Check your childs homework each night.
Parents should help only after their child has tried his/her best to do the assignments independently. Be aware that
there is a fine line between helping and taking over. Please resist the temptation to do your childs homework for
them, on any level. Help your child pace him/herself on assignments which take more than one night to complete.
Help your child study for tests by helping them develop good study habits. Please let me know if your child is
having problems with the homework-write a note on the homework, send a note, drop by or email me.

Writing assignments: As students transition into the upper grades, writing will become more embedded in all parts
of the curriculum. While the emphasis continues to be on fluency and expression, fifth graders are also working
on being concise and articulate in their writing. Mechanics (spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation) are
becoming more important. Respond to writing with praise and encouragement. If something is unclear of if the
writing is brief, ask clarifying questions and encourage your child to expand upon his/her writing. Some writing
assignments will require a parent edit. This means that your child should edit their paper first, followed by your
edits for spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation. Please use a different color pencil or pen to do this so
I can see where your child needed help. I will stipulate whether I want all drafts or just a final draft to be handed
in.

Reading assignments: If a reading assignment is too difficult for your child, feel free to take turns reading, or even
to read the piece to your child. Use this time to help your child strengthen his/her reading. Please keep me
informed regarding these modifications

Math assignments: Our approach to math at this school is consistent with the tenets of the Common Core
Curriculum Standards, which emphasize strong conceptual understanding. Your child will be encouraged to
become a better problem solver while being able to talk about and explain their process. This method, different
than the way we were taught, promotes a deeper understanding of mathematical principles and a deeper sense of
number. Please resist the temptation to teach algorithms, or short cuts, to your child.

Spelling Homework: I will continue with the spelling program Words Their Way (currently used in the third
through fifth grades). Students will be placed into spelling groups based on common spelling patterns they
havent yet mastered. Students will do nightly spelling homework: a word-sort, a practice page, a spelling strategy
and a pre-test that you need to sign on Thursdays. All spelling homework will be collected on Friday mornings.

Home Reading: In addition to their nightly homework, students are expected to read for thirty minutes a night
according to the guidelines outlined in the home reading contract. As they did in third and fourth grades, students
are also expected to record their reading according to the guidelines outlined in the home reading contract and
write a short reflection about something they have read that week. A genre book project will be assigned for each
unit. These projects tend to involve some kind of presentation and are intended to be a fun way to share a good
book with peers.

Thank you for your cooperation!