Homework
On Friday, August 24th, we will be starting our homework program. Weekly homework will be in addition to nightly reading. The focus of weekly homework is to reinforce skills previously taught in the classroom. A homework packet will come home each Friday, and is due back by Friday of the following week (completed homework packets may be turned in at any time during the week). Along with a weekly spelling list, there will typically be 2-3 pages, with a math and language arts focus. Please take time to review your child's work before it is turned in each week, to check for understanding.
Home Reading
On Monday August 27th, we will be starting our home reading program. Every night, Monday through Friday, your child’s book bag will be coming home. S/he will be expected to read at least 20 minutes every night. Please take this opportunity to read with your child and to spend some time discussing the story after reading; making sure that your child has good comprehension of the text.
This is an important piece to your child’s education; and for this reason, it will be part of his/her reading grade each trimester. To keep track of your child's reading, please sign the Reading Log sheet each night. When your child has read for 10 nights, s/he will get to choose a prize from my treasure chest. Please only record one book, regardless of how many books your child may read each night. If a book takes more than one night to read, you can record the pages or chapters read for that night.
We have also discussed as a class how to choose appropriate books for ourselves. If your child should bring home books that do not take about 20 minutes to read, s/he needs to reread that book again, that night, or choose a more appropriate book from your home to read. S/he will then need to choose a more challenging book the next time. If the book is too difficult or too long, you can break the book up into separate nights and have your child select a more appropriate book the following time. Choosing a book from home or the public library is always okay, as long as it is a “just right” book.
Also, if your child forgets his or her book bag, you can always select a book from your own personal library. If s/he forgets the reading log, you can simply write me a quick note with your signature letting me know what book was read. Students will need to turn in their Reading Logs DAILY, even if they are not finished with the book! It is my policy that if a child does not do his/her daily reading at home, s/he will need to spend recess time reading a book from the classroom.
**For those that expressed interest in the on-line reading option, we are still waiting on funding approval. We will notify you if/when this becomes available.
Thank you for your time and dedication to your child’s education! As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
