*Homework begins on Monday, October 26.
Expectations for homework in first grade
Why does homework seem simple or easy?
First grade homework is supposed to be work that your child can complete independently. While frustration can at times occur around an assignment, in general the work should be pleasurable and not too challenging. Sometimes assignments will feel "easy." This is good! The goal of homework is to allow independent practice with things covered in school, and to reinforce the study habits that children will take with them as they advance through their elementary schooling. In first grade, the steps practiced to build independence and a sense of responsibility often are the main goals of the homework, rather than an emphasis on the content. Also, please remember that while all students work on the same goals in first grade, they are achieved in different ways and present challenges that are unique on an individual basis (e.g. a handwriting practice sheet will range from easy to hard based on the individual) - and this is completely normal and expected! Homework assignments will range from simple (or simplistic) practice tasks to more involved content-driven assignments. The Fall semester will focus on more routine practice, while later assignments will become increasingly complex.
What if my child forgets their homework?
If a student's home folder somehow does not make it into their backpack to go home (this happens from time to time), or they leave it at a music lesson, etc., you can send Ms. Almstead a message either by email, or a written note to come in the next day. Home folders are your child's responsibility, and part of building that skill involves forgetting once in a while - it's ok! I will arrange for your child to either do the assignment at school or send it home with a due date (giving them several days to catch up). Similarly, if your child leaves homework at home, it will be due by the end of the week or the start of the next week, depending on the day. If you have any unique circumstances around school assignments, please contact me.
Expectations for homework in first grade
- Should take around 15 minutes in the Fall, 20 minutes in the Spring
- Reading log begins after the new year (TBA)
- Homework is meant to be independent work. The best way to help your child with their homework is to engage in a conversation with them about what they are learning and ask questions about specific content in the homework.
- Homework is also a tool teachers use to see how the child has thought about a particular idea, problem, etc. It is important that the work reflect their own thinking (correct or otherwise) in order to ensure that the child will get the instruction they need at school.
- You can help your child succeed at school by reinforcing the idea that mistakes help us learn! In fact, a better way to describe a “mistake” is “alternate understanding.” We continuously modify our understanding around a particular topic as we learn and grow. In this way, alternate understandings are an important piece of the learning process, and therefore we encourage students to embrace their mistakes and value them as learning opportunities.
Why does homework seem simple or easy?
First grade homework is supposed to be work that your child can complete independently. While frustration can at times occur around an assignment, in general the work should be pleasurable and not too challenging. Sometimes assignments will feel "easy." This is good! The goal of homework is to allow independent practice with things covered in school, and to reinforce the study habits that children will take with them as they advance through their elementary schooling. In first grade, the steps practiced to build independence and a sense of responsibility often are the main goals of the homework, rather than an emphasis on the content. Also, please remember that while all students work on the same goals in first grade, they are achieved in different ways and present challenges that are unique on an individual basis (e.g. a handwriting practice sheet will range from easy to hard based on the individual) - and this is completely normal and expected! Homework assignments will range from simple (or simplistic) practice tasks to more involved content-driven assignments. The Fall semester will focus on more routine practice, while later assignments will become increasingly complex.
What if my child forgets their homework?
If a student's home folder somehow does not make it into their backpack to go home (this happens from time to time), or they leave it at a music lesson, etc., you can send Ms. Almstead a message either by email, or a written note to come in the next day. Home folders are your child's responsibility, and part of building that skill involves forgetting once in a while - it's ok! I will arrange for your child to either do the assignment at school or send it home with a due date (giving them several days to catch up). Similarly, if your child leaves homework at home, it will be due by the end of the week or the start of the next week, depending on the day. If you have any unique circumstances around school assignments, please contact me.