Dear Parents,
Thank you for being part of the end of Trimester 2 Celebration of Learning that took place this week! Student Led Conferences are a very effective forum for helping student take responsibility of their own learning through sharing and goal setting with parents and teachers. I hope that most of you had the opportunity to enjoy the art exhibits and the videos that were produced by the PE, Music and Art teachers as a means of providing a window into their learning environments.
The last “Missouri” Musical is coming to us next week! The two elementary music teachers (Ms. Misty Flores and Mr. Carlos Tristan), and the cast of “The Jungle Book”, have been working relentlessly to put a memorable production together. The show is already a hit before it has even opened, as tickets are already sold out a week before opening night!
In one of my past newsletters I mentioned that I would address the issue of homework, since many of you pointed to this topic as an area of concern through the homeroom surveys that you filled out last January.
I will start by directing you to ASFM’s Homework policy, which includes the following guidelines regarding how much time your children should be spending on homework every night. Please be reminded that this information is found on page 7 of the Student Agenda
- Grades 1& 2 : up to 15-20 minutes daily
- Grades 3& 4: up to 30-45 minutes daily
- Grade 5: 45-60 minutes daily
In addition to the above, ASFM encourages that students read on a daily basis. It is expected that teachers will coordinate this expectation between English and Spanish classes, so that for example, on the day that students have to read for their Spanish class, they do not have to read for their classes that are held in English. Please be aware that this is a minimum requirement. ASFM promotes lifelong readers, so we hope that students read for pleasure whenever they have the opportunity!
Like in any other professional field, educators turn to the research when questions come up, or when we need to make decisions for our students. There is a solid body of information about homework based on what works for students, which can serve as guidelines for teachers. At ASFM we are presently in the process of examining our homework policies to ensure that they are aligned with the latest research. In the short term we will work with teachers in the coordination of homework expectations, particularly between subjects taught in English and Spanish.
I am highlighting some important points for parents in order to help you support this extension of the school experience with your children. In addition to the research guidelines, at ASFM we also take into consideration our students’ very busy after school schedules and the fact that they have an intense day at school.
What parents need to know about homework:
- The biggest question around homework is whether it increases student achievement. Educational studies conducted to find an answer to this question find that the effect of homework on student achievement increases as the student moves through school. Thus, primary and elementary students do not benefit as much from homework in terms of student achievement (measured by test scores), than their counterparts in MS/ HS. The research also concludes that homework still has value for the elementary age child because it helps to build study habits, provides practice and extension opportunities, and communicates the idea that learning takes work at home as well as at school.
- While it is the school’s responsibility to keep parents informed of homework, it is not expected nor desired that parents become involved with this task. Homework should be clearly articulated by the teacher, so that parent involvement can be kept to a minimum. Parent involvement should be along the lines of facilitator, rather than problem solver. Many studies show somewhat negative effects when parents are asked to help with homework.
- The two common purposes for homework are 1). practice and 2). preparation or elaboration. Homework that is assigned to provide students with practice, needs to be based on content that is familiar to students. For example, if students are asked to practice a new skill they have learned in class, they should have a fairly solid understanding of that skill, so that they are able to apply it independently. Homework can also prepare students for new content, or can have them elaborate on content that has been introduced. For example, a teacher may assign homework to have students begin thinking of the concept of electricity before this topic is studied in class. After the teacher has introduced the concept, an assignment could involve having students elaborate on what they have learned. This type of homework does not require that the student have an in depth understanding of the content (as is the case with homework that is used for practice).
- Although there may be exceptions, the amount of time that children are spending each night on homework should equal approximately 10 times the grade level they are in. So, for example, your 1st grader should spend about 10 minutes on homework, a 2nd grader 20 minutes, a 3rd grader, 30 and so on. In addition to this, at ASFM we encourage students to read every night for approximately 10-20 minutes. Although the school’s expectations for homework are well within these ranges, based on different learning styles, it may take some children longer to complete their assignments.
Some homework tips:
- Children need a consistent, organized place for homework, as well as a scheduled time. ASFM students sometimes have difficulty fitting their homework requirements in, as a result of their busy after school schedules. This is a cause for concern. Pushing bedtimes in order to have students finish their homework, should be the exception to the rule. In a previous letter I mentioned how tired some of our students are because of not getting enough sleep. If students cannot fit in the amount of homework mentioned in this letter into their afternoon and early evening schedule, then they may be overbooked! If it consistently takes your child more time to complete their homework than that mentioned in the school policy, it is important that you talk to your child’s teacher about the situation.
- Encourage and motivate your child, but do not sit down with him/her to do their homework. The purpose of homework is for child to practice and use what has been learned. If your child is not able to consistently do their homework independently, please contact the teacher.
- If your child is practicing a skill, ask him/her what steps are easy, and which are difficult. If your child is doing a project ask what knowledge he/she is applying. If your child is consistently not able to talk about the knowledge that he/she is practicing or using, you need to see the teacher.
(This information is taken from; Classroom Instruction that Works by Robert Marzano). Marzano’s research studies are highly respected in the field because of the number of schools that he includes, and the use of a research technique called a “meta-analysis, which tends to give more reliable results).
Remember to save the date for the Farewell to Missouri Party to be held on Saturday, May 29th. The planning has already begun, and we look forward to closing this chapter in the school’s proud history with a memorable event!
Have a Happy Easter Holiday!
Sincerely,
Sonia Keller, Ed.D.
Elementary Principal
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