Hopping Homework Information

Why does m y child have homework? He/she is in first grade!!! First grade provides a foundation for future learning for your child. Throughout the year, your child will establish habits that foster positive learning situations. Homework provides additional practice with skills that we are studying at school. It teaches your child responsibility, and also provides a connection between school and home, allowing you insight into what your son or daughter is learning. What regular hom ework will m y child have? Nightly Reading: Each night your child will be bringing home a leveled book at their instructional reading level. They will be required to read the story to an ADULT each night. Please see the Nightly Reading Information sheet for information regarding your role during each session. Homework Menu: Keeping in mind that there are a variety of things that affect your childs ability to complete their homework each night (i.e., schedules, attitude, etc.) Ive created a menu of daily homework options. The activities are broken into four categories, reading, writing, spelling, and math. due on Friday. Every quarter your child will be receiving a new homework menu, which will have a variety of new and modified activities on it. For more information regarding homework menus, please check your childs homework section of their F.R.O.G. binder. Sight Word Notebook: Each Friday your child will bring home their Star Word Notebook. This notebook contains their sight words and their spelling words for the week. They should return this book to school each Friday as they will be required to read the sight words to me each week. This notebook will be a resource for you and your child when working on the activities in the homework menu. How much time will it take for my child to do their homework? Homework should not take all night long to complete! Ive designed a homework system that should take between 30-35 minutes a night (that includes their nightly reading time), depending on the rate that your child reads/works, and the assignment that your child selects. Your child will have to pick one item from the daily menu to complete, Monday through Thursday. All homework will then be

Do you have any tips to help make homework time run smoothly? 1. Relax First- Your child has been in a structured school environment for the entire

day. For best homework results, allow your child to relax a little bit, either by playing outside or resting indoors. After they have had a little down time, then you can schedule their homework time! 2. A Com fortable Place- Children differ when it comes to the type of environment they learn best in. While some may work best sitting at a table, with no distractions whatsoever, others may work better with a clipboard, on a beanbag chair, listening to jazz music. 3. Help Them Become Independent- If your child comes home and is eager to get started on their homework, be sure to encourage them. Having them develop a drive to complete their work is wonderful! If you notice that they are working well, yet making errors, allow them to continue. They will eventually notice their error. If they ask for assistance, you can offer guidance, but avoid giving them correct answers. Sometimes your child may need some encouragement to get started with their work. If that is the case, feel free to help them organize and get into a structured schedule. 4. Avoid Punishm ent- There are occasions where a child may make it difficult to get their homework done. If you find that you are faced with a situation that will most likely proceed to an argument, avoid yelling and punishing. Instead, create a reward system that encourages your child to want to complete their homework. It is amazing how powerful a sticker chart can be! Simple rewards are easy to find and can encourage students to make the correct decision. Extra outdoor time, computer time (educational game website), or extra story at night, are all great rewards! Also, consider getting your child items they may use at school, (i.e., a small dry erase board & marker) which may assist with homework. The children LOVE teacher supplies and always ask me where they can buy similar items! It may be the extra push they need. 5. Be Positive- If you express the importance of homework, your child will realize the importance. Your positive attitude helps shape your childs attitude. Homework is a great opportunity for you to share how important school is.