Fifth Grade Homework Policy

The following Homework Policy is based on our belief that homework is an essential part of every student's education. It is assigned for review, for practice, to prepare for tests, and for mastery of material. Homework and studying also teach a student that practice does lead to improvement.

Spending time helping with homework, quizzing your youngster about material being studied, or discussing a difficult problem provides valuable personal time together. Your support shows that you believe education is important. If you place your child's education high on your priority list, your child will follow your example. Please make sure that school work comes before extra-curricular activities. Soccer practice, dance lessons, and shopping trips are not excuses for not completing homework. Homework is assigned Monday through Thursday.

Homework is not an option. It is a requirement and is averaged in with other grades. Turning in homework on time is a lesson in responsibility. It is expected that all the homework will be done neatly and completely. Any assignment not completed at the time the class meets is considered late. If it is turned in one day late, 10 percent will be deducted from the earned grade. Homework more than one day late will be given a zero. We will not accept late homework for full credit, unless a parent sends a note on the due date explaining the extraordinary circumstances which prevented the completion of the homework. Adjustment will be made on daily assignments when a student is making up work due to absence. If there is a pattern of missing assignments, the teacher will contact the parents.

Students returning after an absence should refer to the daily master assignment notebook to ensure that they are aware of all assignments. Please request by 9 A.M. for makeup work if the absence exceeds one day. A homework buddy will prepare a homework sheet, along with necessary worksheets, texts, and workbooks, and place it in the student's locker. Each student is ultimately responsible for his own assignments.

All student work, except for math, should be done in blue or black ink using erasable pens. Math should be done in pencil. Cursive will be required for all written assignments. All papers should be properly headed with first and last name, room number, date, subject, and page number.

All students are expected to record assignments in their Assignment Notebook. Pages cannot be altered or removed from the log. Reviewing this notebook nightly is the best way for parents to know what has been assigned. A parent is required to sign log nightly. We will consider the Assignment Notebooks our first line of communication with parents. If a problem with homework becomes evident, the teacher will indicate this in the assignment log.