First Grade Homework FAQ's
A: YES!! Please help your child read and understand directions and guide them as needed to complete each night's assignment. If they make a mistake, please leave the mistake for me to see. It helps to guide my instruction!
Q: Can we go ahead and complete more than 1 page each night?
A: NO!! To reinforce routine, sustain attention, and to ensure I have gotten to teaching the content, please complete ONLY the assigned page each night.
Q: My child is a challenger...what does this mean?
A: If your child spelled all of his/her spelling words correctly on the pretest they are issued "challenge" words; a supplemental list featuring words with our same featured vowel, and with more complicated spelling patterns. The assignments are different for challengers, too. Challengers get to choose 3 of 5 given assignments, found on the cover sheet. Your child should complete ONE ACTIVITY EACH NIGHT, in addition to the math page, poem, and reading log.
Q: My child is NOT a challenger...should I be worried?
A: NO!! First graders are not expected to already know the spelling words before the week begins. The words given on the pretest are developmentally appropriate words and your child will benefit from learning them. Likewise, a child who already knows the words wouldn't learn anything new if only given those words to practice for the week.
Q: My child won't read to me. What should I do?
A: Many first graders are resistant to reading aloud to their parents. In class we read many different and fun ways. Try suggesting...
ECHO READING: Parent reads the page first and child ECHOES after. This is especially fun when done in silly voices!
CHORAL READING: The child and parent read aloud at the SAME time.
PARTNER READING: Take turns reading sentences or pages.
If all else fails, try setting up a stuffed animal audience or having them read to a sibling. You can even try reading at a different time of day, like over breakfast or on the car ride to an activity!
Q: What happens if my child doesn't complete or hand in their homework on Friday?
A: He or she will not earn a sticker for the homework chart. He or she will then have to take time away from recess to complete unfinished pages or will have to complete homework over the weekend.