Weekly Homework Schedule
As a service to you the parents, I try to maintain a weekly homework schedule that is consistent for most of the year. The three topics we cover with our homework include spelling, writing and math.
Spelling
Starting the second Monday of the school year, the students will be given a list of spelling words that they will need to memorize over the course of the week. A test of those words will be held on the following Friday. If a child has three words or less incorrect on the Monday pretest, then that child will receive bonus above grade level words plus their misspelled words to study for the final Friday test. We call this the "Spelling Challenge".
Listed below are the activities you can do in their homework journal with their spelling words in order to help them memorize the words. They need to complete three activities a week in their Homework Book.
Spelling
Starting the second Monday of the school year, the students will be given a list of spelling words that they will need to memorize over the course of the week. A test of those words will be held on the following Friday. If a child has three words or less incorrect on the Monday pretest, then that child will receive bonus above grade level words plus their misspelled words to study for the final Friday test. We call this the "Spelling Challenge".
Listed below are the activities you can do in their homework journal with their spelling words in order to help them memorize the words. They need to complete three activities a week in their Homework Book.
Writing
Starting the second Friday, a writing idea sheet will go home for your child to finish in their Homework Book. Feel free to help them generate ideas for their writing. Encourage them to write with a strong voice that is sprinkled with interesting words (adjectives, adverbs, similes, metaphors, idioms... ). The second part of the writing activity is a piece that requires editing. Make sure your child copies the entire piece directly into the journal WITH mistakes. They should then use a coloured pencil crayon to identify the mistakes and correct the text with appropriate editing marks. The writing homework will not be due until the following Friday so that should give families the time required to complete the assignment.
Math
I will be monitoring the students' use of DREAMBOX. The expectation is for each student to spend at least 50 min on DREAMBOX a week. I noticed a dramatic improvement in the numeracy skills of those who worked consistently with the program. As well, we will be using a MATH SPEED TEST to help solidify basic computing facts. Your child is welcome to practice the MATH SPEED TEST program at home in order to help them improve their computing skills. If they are having difficulty with a level, monitor which facts they are struggling with, then create flash cards to help them memorize those particular facts.
Starting the second Friday, a writing idea sheet will go home for your child to finish in their Homework Book. Feel free to help them generate ideas for their writing. Encourage them to write with a strong voice that is sprinkled with interesting words (adjectives, adverbs, similes, metaphors, idioms... ). The second part of the writing activity is a piece that requires editing. Make sure your child copies the entire piece directly into the journal WITH mistakes. They should then use a coloured pencil crayon to identify the mistakes and correct the text with appropriate editing marks. The writing homework will not be due until the following Friday so that should give families the time required to complete the assignment.
Math
I will be monitoring the students' use of DREAMBOX. The expectation is for each student to spend at least 50 min on DREAMBOX a week. I noticed a dramatic improvement in the numeracy skills of those who worked consistently with the program. As well, we will be using a MATH SPEED TEST to help solidify basic computing facts. Your child is welcome to practice the MATH SPEED TEST program at home in order to help them improve their computing skills. If they are having difficulty with a level, monitor which facts they are struggling with, then create flash cards to help them memorize those particular facts.