Homework policy Birney 3rd Grade

Home Work Expectations
For 3rd Grade

At Birney Elementary School, teachers believe that the purpose of homework is to provide students with opportunities to extend classroom lessons and to transfer specific skills and concepts to new situations. In addition, homework is designed to develop personal responsibility, self-discipline and effective study skills and is a reinforcement or extension of class instruction. It is very important that all homework is completed as assigned. Homework is given nightly from Monday through Thursday. With the exception of studying for a quiz or a project, weekend homework is not given. Students will be responsible for writing their assignments, quizzes, and projects in the agenda books.

How much homework? A general rule is homework should be equal to the grade times ten. So, third graders should get an average of 30 minutes of homework nightly. Of course this does not include the constant breaks, or other interruptions. As with all instructional activities, homework assignments should be meaningful, relevant, and grade appropriate. Homework assignments will increase in both length and scope as student progress from grade-to-grade.

What happens if an assignment is not completed?
If an assignment is not turned in when it is due, a Missing Homework stamp will be included in the agenda book. The agenda is to be signed daily.

If your child has a missing homework, they will be given a walk the line slip.  They will walk the line during the first recess.  The missing homework stamp is to be signed, and the missing homework completed and returned the following school day.

Expectations for School Performance

Students, teachers, and parents share responsibility in the learning process. Each entity is valued and respected, and each works for the benefit of all in our community of learners. Birney School offers students and the school community opportunities to exercise responsibility, decision making and leadership as well as opportunities to participate in school and extra-curricular activities. Our mission will be realized when our students can begin to demonstrate awareness of the relationship between rights and responsibilities; acceptance of responsibility for their own actions; and begin to achieve the ultimate goal of becoming self-directed learners, who take responsibility, set high goals, and develop intellectual curiosity.

Birney School provides academic offerings necessary to meet the school's academic and social expectations and that meet the needs of students of different abilities, interests, motivations and educational goals. Students will meet appropriate levels of academic skills necessary to prepare for state assessment tests; demonstrate an ability to use all resources and tools available for learning and research, including information systems and computer technology; develop personal study skills to a level sufficient to discover, organize, interpret and evaluate information in order to make decisions and implement new ideas and solutions; demonstrate and effectively employ receptive and expressive communication skills including listening, reading, writing and speaking, allowing students to become literate individuals; and demonstrate the ability to become life-long learners through the use of critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, physical development skills and an understanding of the importance of personal wellness. Our mission will be realized when our students can begin to demonstrate inquisitiveness and productivity who view the acquisition of knowledge as a lifelong pursuit. A primary goal is to instill in students a life-long habit of inquiry and the confidence and skills to approach any learning situation with success.

Birney School engages in a partnership with students, faculty, families and community members. This partnership promotes academic and creative excellence encouraging the physical, social and emotional well being within a safe learning environment. Together as a community, we respect and celebrate the individuality and diversity of all people. During this unique period of early adolescence, we provide opportunity for the continued pursuit of knowledge and support each individual in the process of becoming a life long learner.
 

Types of Homework Assignments

Generally, Birney School teachers assign any of four types of daily homework assignments. These are preparation, practice, extension, and creative/enrichment assignments. Examples of these types of assignments are:

• Preparation- This type of assignment is intended to help students get ready for the next day's classroom lesson. For instance, a reading assignment may be given prior to a social studies lesson. Students might be asked to write their own discussion questions based on the reading assignment. Or, the student may be asked to complete answers to reading review questions from the text.

• Practice- By successfully completing practice assignments, students have the opportunity to review and reinforce skills, knowledge, and information presented in a previous lesson. An example might be, after a grammar lesson students would be asked to write their own sentence and label the specific grammatical elements presented in the most recent classroom lesson.

• Extension -Extension assignments ask students to expand on skills and/or concepts taught during a previous class. For example, after studying an historical period, a student might be asked to read an article or book pertaining to that period and report their findings to the class.

• Creative/Enrichment -This assignment includes analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating concept or skills already taught. Students have an opportunity to develop and apply their own ideas about a topic and prepare a presentation for the teachers or class. One example would be to assign students the task of creating an invention that would solve a problem.
 

A student's ability to read is strengthened by reading each day at home. Birney School strongly urges each student to spend time reading for pleasure or interest each day, in addition to homework time. In addition to books of interest, newspapers, magazines and journals can be included. A minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of daily reading will significantly enhance students' reading skills.

Students, Parents & Teachers Together on Homework!

Students -

·         Record all assignments in Agenda Book.

·         Include related directions with assignments.

·         Ask questions of your teacher to clarify homework.

·         Ask for help to successfully complete difficult assignments.

·         Establish a schedule/plan for short and long term assignments.

·         Get organized!

·         Turn in work that is neat, accurate, and on time.

·         Do NOT forget daily reading!

Parents -

• Provide your child with a designated place for homework.
• Assist in developing a routine including a scheduled time.
• Assist in plans for long and short term assignments.
• Check and assist on a daily basis.
• Encourage your child to contact teacher with problems or questions.
• Support the daily reading!

Teachers -

·         Present homework assignments orally and in writing.

·         Assist students in recording assignments in their Agenda Books.

·         Communicate the relationship of assignment to class work.

·         Provide examples of how the assignment is to be done.

·         Collect and correct homework and specify the value of homework in students' final grades

·         Assist students in developing plans for long & short term assignments.

·         Coordinate with other teachers to minimize conflicts.

Mrs. Pollard's Third Grade Stars!
Birney Elementary - Redondo Beach USD
1600 Green Ln, Redondo Beach CA 90278

Teacher Websites © 2009 SchoolWorld