Homework Help!
Here are some homework hints that you may find useful when setting up a nightly homework routine!
- Find a calm, quiet spot for your child to work. This does not have to be at a desk or table, your child may be more comfortable laying on the floor or standing up!
- Make sure they have all the tools they will need to be productive and successful! The image on your left shows a portable homework caddy filled with various drawing/writing tools, counters, dry erase board, glue, beads for counting, etc so that everything your child needs is at their fingertips!
- Be available and be involved. If your child is working in a different room than you, let them know where they can find you and be sure to check in to see if they need assistance. Your child will need your help reading and following directions, especially initially. Our homework is designed to be done with some adult assistance.
- Come up with a plan together! Discuss the time of night your child will be doing their homework with your child. Right after school? After dinner? Pick a time and stick to it. If your child is easily frustrated, set a timer for 5 minutes and take a break to "jumping-jack spell" the spelling words, have them tell you the best part of their day, or sing a familiar song. Then get back to work!
The homework caddy above includes: a dry erase board with markers and a sock eraser, markers/crayons/pencils, various kinds of paper, scissors and glue sticks, pipe cleaners (for bending words), dice, beads to use for counting, a special journal to write in, a book to read, number line, shaving cream (spread on a cookie sheet and use your finger to write spelling words in it!) and a clipboard. Use what you already have lying around the house!
First graders will come home each Monday with a weekly reading log. These logs should be completed by students but signed by parents. Initially, first graders will need assistance and encouragement from parents to locate and write the title of their books. Remember that persistence pays off, practice makes us better and it won't be long until your first grader will be able to complete their reading log independently!
Please send your child to school on Friday with their completed reading log. |
Every Monday your child will be given a spelling pretest to determine if they should study the first grade words or, if they have already mastered these words, if they should receive a supplemental challenge list. The spelling list your child receives should be studied each night and, if your child so chooses, can be used for any number of the spelling suggested spelling activities for fun and practice.
First grade words are just that: words we expect first graders to learn to spell. Because all students learn at different rates, we do offer a challenge list to those that already know our first grade words. I do not encourage all students to become spelling challengers, rather that we all do our best each day! |
Many first graders LOVE homework and look forward to fun activities each night. Please feel free to use this list of suggested activities to encourage your child to practice their spelling words!
|
While formal homework will not be assigned, students will be held accountable for completing unfinished classwork at home. Unfinished work will sent home with this note attached, which requests a parent signature. First graders are always working on time management and doing their best (aren't we all?!)
|