Working on skills outside the classroom serves various educational needs. Homework reinforces intellectual discipline, establishes study habits, eases time constraints on the amount of curricular material that can be covered in class, and supplements and reinforces work done in school. In addition, it fosters student initiative, independence, and responsibility and brings home and school closer together.

 

Homework is defined as out-of-class tasks assigned to students as an extension or elaboration of classroom work. There are three types of homework: practice, preparation, and extension.

 

• Practice assignments reinforce newly acquired skills. For example, students who have just learned a new method of solving a math problem should be given sample problems to complete on their own.

• Preparation assignments help students get ready for activities that will occur in the classroom. Students may, for example, be required to do background research on a topic to be discussed later in class.

• Extension assignments are frequently long-term, continuing projects that parallel class work. Students must apply previous learning to complete these assignments.

 

• Share any concerns you may have regarding the amount or type homework assigned with your child´´s teacher.

• Encourage your child to carefully fill out his agenda in case questions arise later at home.

• Assist teachers in monitoring homework by signing completed work, if requested.

• Provide a quiet study area and the necessary tools (for example, paper and books) to complete the homework assignments.

• Limit after-school activities to allow time for both homework and family activities.

• Alert the school to any domestic circumstances or extracurricular activities that may need to be taken into consideration when homework is being set or marked.

• Plan a homework schedule with your child. Allow for free time when assignments are completed.

• If questions arise about the assignments, and your child asks for help, ask him or her questions or work through an example rather than simply providing the answer.

• Younger children need more parental assistance with homework than older children. Go over homework assignments with your child. Do several problems or questions together, then observe your child doing the next one or two.

• If your child is in elementary school, check completed assignments. At all levels, ask to look at homework once it has been marked and returned.

• Ask your child´´s teachers about their homework policy and specific assignments.

• Praise your child´s efforts.

• Require that your child be responsible for his homework.

• Resist the impulse to do your child´´s homework.

 

 

Grade Level	Homework Expectations
Preschool	15 minutes of reading nightly
Kindergarten	20 minutes of reading nightly
Grades One and Two	45 minutes of homework   10 minutes of independent reading
Grades Three and Four	45–55 minutes of homework   25 minutes of independent reading
Grades Five and Six	Monday through Thursday - 1 hour and 20 minutes of homework   25 minutes of independent reading. Homework may be assigned on Fridays in sixth grade.
Grades Seven and Eight	2 hours per evening
Grades Nine and Ten	2.5 hours per evening
Grades Eleven and Twelve	3 hours per evening
Honors Courses	At least 1 hour per evening per class
AP Courses	At least 2 hours per evening per class

 

Studying for tests is not included in the aforementioned time allocations. The homework assignment time frame does not provide for any assignments missed due to unexcused absences, tardiness or any assignments not completed during class. It is the student´´s responsibility to complete missed or incomplete work on his or her own time.