Grade 5 – Matt Kimber

Homework Program 2010-2011

Grade 5

Homework is an important aspect of our students’ education. It helps them to develop independent work skills, as well as time management skills and complements our classroom programme.  This year the students receive Reading, Spelling and Maths homework on a weekly basis. These assignments will be handed out on a Monday.  Students should hand in their completed work on Friday morning each week. If there is any reason why a student has not been able to complete the work an explanatory note from their parent, in the planner, is welcomed.

A few explanatory notes follow.

IST Homework Log/Elementary Diary: This is a notebook calendar which students will fill in each week, noting homework expectations, school activities and events, to help them organize their week. We would be grateful if you could sign the diary each week to encourage and support your child. The planner should make a round trip from home-school-home each day. We welcome parent-teacher communication through this book and have explained to the students that they are responsible for bringing any notes to our or your attention.

Home Reading: We believe regular reading of self-selected books at home is essential and will hopefully foster a lifelong love of literature.  We encourage students to read books in any language in order to fulfill their minimum reading requirement of 15-25 minutes per night. There is a Reading Record section in the Elementary Diaries for the students to complete.

Maths Practice: Maths practice sheets will be sent home regularly. This Maths homework allows students to revise, practise or master a skill previously taught. Some maths sheets may ask students to apply learned skills to a new situation. Maths assignments should be completed in pencil and returned on a Friday morning, or whenever otherwise specified by the teacher so that they may be marked together as a class. If students have any confusion as to what is required or how to complete their work, please encourage them to ask their teacher well before the work is due.

Missed or Unfinished Class Work: Occasionally a student may not finish an assignment that was to be completed during class time. Depending on the circumstances we may ask that that the work be finished at home.

Students who regularly hand in incomplete or late homework may be asked to use school recess time or during study hall to finish up the work. We will contact you if it seems to be an ongoing problem so that together we can plan the best way to solve the problem.

If your child has any confusion about the instructions for any homework or difficulty in doing it, please encourage them to check with a classmate or see their classroom teacher well before it is due.

FORTNIGHTLY ASSIGNMENTS

This year, we will assign fortnightly work based on our Unit of Inquiry. We believe that these assignments help the children learn to work independently and offer a variety of activities so that each child’s strengths may be utilized and recognized. It certainly provides an opportunity to enhance and extend their learning in a variety of ways.

Each fortnight there will be different activities set, based on Gardner’s multiple intelligences. Each assignment will contain a template on which the students can plan and record which days they worked on a particular activity and how long each one took. This is an excellent opportunity for them to practise and improve their time management skills. As well, there will be a section to record other activities the child has been involved in after school, as we realize that sometimes outside activities make it difficult for work to be completed.  Initially, Grade 5 students will be required to complete a minimum of 4 of the 6 tasks.

The fortnightly assignment will be handed out on a Friday and will be due back on a Thursday, two weeks later. All written work should be completed in the assigned Homework book.

If, at any time, you have any questions or concerns about the homework programme, please contact your child’s classroom teacher by email, by arranging a meeting, or by writing a note in your child’s planner.

We look forward to working with you in supporting this valuable aspect of your child’s learning.

Thank you!

The Grade 5 Team