I LOVE HOMEWORK!!
We want to take this opportunity to explain our homework policy to help avoid any confusion and to make our expectations clear.
Homework should never take more than 20 minutes per subject per night. Most homework assignments will take between 5-10 minutes. Many will be started in class so we will know if there are questions on the assignment. In addition, our goal is that students not have more than two 20 minute homework assignments per night. Our policy is to keep homework minimal and meaningful.
Here's why:
Most recent studies have shown that homework that is overly elaborate and/or repetitive is detrimental, and in many cases squashes, the student’s love of learning and interest in the subject matter. This is especially true for gifted students. Specifically, studies have shown that any gains in achievement that homework may facilitate are undone if the student spends more than 1 hour per night on homework. Therefore, we assign two subjects per night for 20 minutes each. Thus, a maximum total of 40 minutes per night, Monday-Thursday. We rarely, if ever, give homework over the weekend.
The exception to weekend homework would be any long-term, ongoing projects, such as Science projects, book reports etc. which may or may not be included in the weekend or nightly assignments.
If your child is struggling or has confusion with a particular assignment, please let us know! Students often do not volunteer that they had trouble with the homework assignment. Therefore, if the assignment comes back completed and looking good, with no note from you, we can only assume all was well. If your Beacon is having difficulty with an assignment, please just draw a line on the homework paper after 20 minutes and initial it. There is no need to feel that the assignment "has to be completed no matter how long it takes." That is why drawing the 20 minute line and initialing it helps keep the communication between home and school strong and helps us help your child even more.
Our expectation is that your child consistently turn in his or her homework which is completed to the best of his or her ability within the honest effort of the 20 minute time frame. If your family has activities coming up on a particular night that you believe will preclude homework, then we need to hear it directly from you, the parent, preferably sooner rather than later. If something unexpected comes up and your child doesn't get a chance to do his or her homework, please send us an email or write us a note. Either way, we need to hear it from you.
One of our goals is to help build "Beacon Responsibility". Turning in the homework on time is an excellent life skill and a wonderful way in which a 2nd grader can develop responsibility.
We hope that this clears up any questions you might have about what homework will be like this year. If you have further questions, please let us know.
Here's to another great week in Beacons' World!
Betsy and Tiffany
