Homework

•  Endeavour PTA generously donated a planner to each student at Endeavour this year. 

•  Keeping an up-to-date homework calendar will be a firm expectation everyday.

•  As a class, we will fill out our homework planners everyday. I will stamp each student's planner as I meet with them individually to check for organization.

•  Student planners are to be signed everyday by an adult at home.  This allows the parent to help the student double check his/her homework, as well as keep the parent up-to-date on the work to be done that night.

•  I will check student planners randomly for adult signatures. Students will be rewarded for keeping an up-to-date calendar and for turning in all work on time.

•  Please leave the planners in the binders all year!

What are the homework policies?

•  Homework is usually work that the student does not finish in class or during free time.

•  Expect 20-45 minutes each night.

•  Assignments are due first thing the next morning, excluding special projects.

What is a VIP?

Students will earn VIP (Very Impressive Person) tickets each week if they turn in all assignments on time and have a green card each day. Three VIP 's will earn the student a "No Homework" coupon. At the end of each grading period, students with the set number of VIP 's collected will earn a treat at lunch recess from me. YUM ! Each student knows that he/she is responsible to keep the VIP tickets . I do not keep track of how many each student earns.

What are some ways to help students with homework?

Families may find the following tips useful as they adjust to an increased amount of homework for their 4th grader:

•  Set a certain "homework routine" everyday for your child.

•  Find a special "homework place" (such as a desk, quiet room, the kitchen table) where your child can keep their supplies and work in an organized way.

•  Create a "homework kit" (a bag, box, or drawer) where the student can store the tools for homework, such as pens, pencils, crayons, a sharpener, ruler, paper, etc)

•  Turn off the TV and cut down on the distractions during homework time.

•  Encourage the whole family to study, read, or work at the same time. Perhaps you can pay bills or read.

•  Help is great (and sometimes necessary), but remember that overall, this should be the student's homework. Make sure the student is the one who does the work. (This also gives me a clearer picture of the student's true abilities.)

•  If a problem arises, take a break and come back to it or have the student write me a note about what the problem is. This will ultimately teach them how to work through a problem and increase his/her confidence, responsibility, and independence.

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