BMS 5^th Grade

Homework Policy

Dear Parents,
This letter was written to explain the homework policy for the BMS 5th Grade. Your child’s teacher has explained the policy to the class. Please review the policy with your child so that you understand the expectations of students and parents with regard to homework. The purpose of homework is to practice skills (accuracy or speed), prepare students for a new topic or to elaborate on introduced material. The following guidelines can help reduce the tension associated with homework and increase your child’s learning.

1. We recommend that your child has a place to do homework. If possible, your child should do his/her homework in the same place. Choose a location that is uncluttered and quiet. Assigned work is written in the agenda. Assignments should be kept in the Assignment Folder.

2. Develop a schedule for completing homework. Set a homework schedule that fits in with each week’s particular activities. If possible, meet with your child on Sunday evening to discuss family events (For example: piano lessons, ball practice, ball games) that might impact your child’s ability to complete assigned work. Help him/her find a time before or after the event to complete assigned work.

3. Please encourage or prompt your child to do their homework and then check for knowledge. It is not a good idea to sit with your child and do homework with him/her. Your child needs to practice independently and to apply what he/she has learned in class. When your child is practicing a skill, ask which step he/she finds difficult or easy, and how he/she plans to improve speed and accuracy with the skill. If your child is working on a project, ask what knowledge is needed to complete the work. If your child consistently cannot complete homework assignments alone or answer questions about assignments, please contact me. Please write a note in your child’s agenda or I can be reached at school (886-6833).

4. Homework should be completed in a reasonable amount of time. If your child seems to be spending too much time each night on homework, please contact me. Research suggests that most fifth graders should not spend more that 50 minutes a night on homework.

5. Please establish a bedtime. When it is time to go to bed, please stop your child, even if he/she has not finished the homework. Please write a note in the agenda. There is time before lunch or after school that your child may work on incomplete assignments.

Grading: I will grade homework assignments for content and timeliness. If your child turns in an assignment late, 20% will be taken off the score. Your child’s graded papers are sent home each week in Friday Folders. Please look over his/her papers, keep the graded papers, sign and return the Friday Folder. Every three weeks your child will be given a Progress Report so that you are aware of his/her grades in every subject. The information from the three week grading period will be used to place students in Owl Time groups to work on skills that your child needs.

Please return this policy with the appropriate signatures, acknowledging that you have read and discussed the policy with your child. If you have any questions about homework expectations, please contact me.

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Parent’s (or Guardian’s) Signature

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Student’s Signature