Homework

March 2014 Reading Homework Update:

Starting Term 4, began keeping track of our daily homework reading with a reading log.  Each morning students will pull their reading log and record the title of the book they read and the page numbers they read the night before for their daily reading homework.  The books they read at home should be a part of our Term 5 Reading Contract.  
This term the expectation is to read:

•  1 biography or autobiography
• 2 fiction books
• 1 non-fiction book.

Students are expected to complete an AR test for each book that has one as well as the required paper/pencil assessment (provided).  We expect students to push themselves to do their best thinking and writing; using complete sentences, grammar, and spelling on the assessments.  The reading contract is due Thursday, April 3rd.


We are working hard to read books at or above our reading level.  Your student has received their recent reading level scores from our Winter Assessments.  When looking for books at home, please use the following links as a guide to help you and your child ensure they are reading books appropriate for their reading ability.  Thanks!

Any of the links below can help your child find books that are in their lexile range and interest level.  The students know how to use book wizard on the scholastic site.

http://www.lexile.com/fab/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/reading-level-reading-books-lexile/search.asp

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/classroombooks/browse_level.asp

http://www.scholastic.com/tbw/viewCustomSearchForm.do?RowsPerPageOptions=10&RowsPerPageOptions=50

Fourth Grade

Homework Agreements

In order to best serve students and communicate homework expectations, the fourth grade team has developed a table outlining routine and periodic homework assignments.  This table also articulates ways that we can all support independence, self-management, and academic development for our students.

Routine Assignments
	Student	Teacher	Parents
Reading	Read nightly and complete log or reading response	Assigns log or reading response; Nightly reading at times may be tied to learning in SS or SCI	Ensure that students have a quiet place to read
Spelling	Practice using spelling patterns at home twice a week.	Will assign spelling pattern practice and require students to write assignments in agenda when assigned twice a week.	Support student’s independence in completing work.
Math	Independently attempt the work first.  Ask for assistance from parents only when needed. Spend no more than 20-30 minutes completing the assignment. Turn in the assignment (completed or not)	Will assign 2-3 times a week.  Will require students to write assignments in agendas.  Will support students who had difficulty with completing homework.	Support student’s independence in completing work.  Assist only as needed.  Spend no more than 20-30 mins. attempting the work.  If necessary, write the teacher a note to indicate that the work was attempted, but not completed due to difficulty.
Periodic Assignments
	Student	Teacher	Parents
Writing Social Studies Science	Completes assignments in class. If not completed in class, complete at home for homework.	Will notify parents and require students to complete incomplete classwork at home, instead of routinely scheduled homework assignments	Support student’s independence in completing work. Require completion of incomplete assignments that have come home.
Assessments	Will use study skills and/or guides from class to prepare for assessments.  Will write upcoming assessments in agenda.	Teach study skills that will help students prepare for assessments.  3-5 day notification of summative assessment to be communicated in student agendas and class newsletters or websites.  Will not assign other work on night before an assessment.	Assist students in building study skills. (Information about how to do this with this age group will be sent home)  Support their use of study guides when provided.
Responsibility	Will take responsibility for writing down nightly homework assignments in agendas.  Will share with parents the tasks for the night.  Will turn in assignments daily.	Provide time during the day for students to write down assignments.  Communicate any change from routine assignments.	Check students’ agendas nightly.  Encourage student to complete work independently.  Communicate difficulty with assignments to teacher.