Homework

Recently, there have been several studies done on the effectiveness of reading logs. I believe firmly in accountability; however, accountability for reading at home does not necessarily mean keeping up with a daily reading log. Some recent studies show that reading logs actually hinder young readers because it turns reading into "work" and not something that is done for pleasure.  Some studies suggest that this is a factor in why struggling early readers are reluctant life-long readers. With this in mind I've decided to tweak our homework routine. Instead of keeping up with a reading log (thank you to those who have been doing this!) I will send home a monthly sheet like the one below:

Have your child color one leaf for each (5-10 for kindergarten, 10-15 for 1st, and 15-20 for 2nd) minute block of reading. I will collect the sheets at the end of the month.

Hopefully this will help make the homework process more streamlined and painless as possible.  I hope you know that I am not a "worksheet teacher," and I certainly do NOT believe in the "drill and kill" method. I also believe that homework practice needs to be independent- Students practicing a skill incorrectly is simply reinforcing negative habits. The following is a quote from Dr. Jean Feldman's blog, "Dr. Jean & Friends."

"My daughter brought up the point that many parents WANT homework and are impressed with lengthy assignments because they think it will make their children smarter. In the book Battle Over Homework: Common Ground for Administrators,Teachers, and Parents, Harris Cooper put together a variety of research studies on homework. He found that in elementary school, homework has almost no impact on academic achievement. In middle school, the results are mixed. In high school, moderate levels of homework can help the learning process." -Dr. Jean Feldman

Homework should be meaningful and helpful. In the primary grades math facts practice, sight word practice and reading practice are really the only things that I recommend be practiced at home. To help with this I recommend the following for nightly homework:

• Xtramath for math fact practice (< 5 minutes)
• read aloud on-level text OR listen to good literature (5-20 minutes)
• Literacy skill practice - Reading Eggs (< 20 minutes)