WOODLIN ELEMENTARYPTA PRESENTATION

OCTOBER 2011

Putting it Together:Homework

The Research on Homework

What does the research say? Harris Cooper, Jorgianne Civey Robinson, and Erika A. Patall. Does homework improve academic achievement? A synthesis of research, 1987-

2003. Review of Educational Research 2006, vol.76: 1-62

Limited evidence that homework improves the academic performance of elementary students.

Moderate correlation between homework and achievement in middle school.

Too much homework may diminish its effectiveness and become counterproductive.

Cooper’s research review correlating time spent on homework with test scores and grades revealed “nearly nonexistent” effects for grades 3 through 5. The correlation was extremely low for grades 6 through 9.

Homework: What does the research say?ERIC's National Parent Information Network

High school students who receive school-assigned homework perform 69 percent better on standardized tests and have higher grades than do students who don't.

Middle school students who receive homework perform 35 percent better;

Elementary students perform about the same. That does not mean elementary students should have

no homework, only that grades or results on standardized tests do not measure the benefits of homework.

So now what?

Currently, the prevailing feeling is that students need homework to stay competitive in the global market -- that the extra work and responsibility give kids an edge.

There is a problem, though, if family time is minimized and children no longer have time to play or if students don't graduate because of failing homework grades.

So the experts agree: Homework can have a positive effect on achievement as children grow older.

Expectations at Woodlin

3 Reasons We Do Homework

Review

PracticeExtension

Rules of Thumb at Woodlin

Read every day: For pleasure and enjoyment!

Practice basic facts: Rapid recall and accuracy is a critical foundation for future math success.

Guideline of 10 minutes of per year in school 10 minutes in K/1 20 minutes in 2nd

30 minutes in 3rd

40 minutes in 4th

50 minutes in 5th

Woodlin Homework Policy No homework given before

religious or school holidays Teachers will review homework

and provide feedback Not part of academic grades,

used for learning skills If a child does not/cannot

complete it on their own, write a note and have the child turn in the work

Quality, not quantity is the goal

Practice of learned skills, not new information

Grade K

PHILOSOPHY:  Learning is valued through engaging activities that promote skill development.  In Kindergarten, we view homework primarily as an exercise in responsibility.

Reading: Read or be read to for 15 10 minutes each night.  One additional weekly activity to be completed in another

content area.Weekly homework packet with suggested activities.  

All work will be on material that has been covered in class.  The homework will be assigned to be completed and returned to

school on Friday There will be no homework given before religious or school

holidays.

Grade 1

Students are also expected to read or be read to for 15 minutes each night Monday- Thursday (could include book club books). 

Students are also expected to practice spelling words Monday-Thursday.

Math “menu” goes home on Monday in homework packet and students need to complete 1 option (paper/pencil or hands-on) from the menu by Friday.

Grade 2

HW should take 20 minutes. Usually math and reading. Checked for completion and will not be

returned. If a HW problem arises, we will let the

parents know, such as not getting it or if there are numerous errors.

Grade 3

Roles of Parents Check that child has hw, check that they do hw and don’t spend

too much time on it, and let the teacher know when the child has difficulty with it

Roles of Students copy hw, complete hw neatly, turn in hw on time, get help from

teacher/parent if needed teachersTypes of homework assignments given: 

Math (2-3 times per week) Spelling (2-3 times per week, test given every other week), Science and social studies practice (once a week, as needed) TFK:  rereading and highlighting cover story and worksheet once a

week, comprehension quiz on Fridays Cursive, as needed

Grade 4

We believe that homework… Extends Learning Strengthens concepts and skills Provides independent and guided work opportunities Develops initiative, responsibility, self-direction, and

organizational skills

MCPS Daily Time Expectations…4th Grade 30 to 40 minutes; 4 days per week

(Independent reading, math skills, projects, and unfinished class work requires longer.)

Grade 5

Homework is typically given each night, except for weekends and holidays

Assignments should be written daily in the Student Assignment Book (SAB)

Students are expected to turn in homework when it is due

Policy for 5th grade is up to 60 minutes each night Includes 20 minutes that students should be reading nightly The MCPS goal for fifth grade is to read 25 books by the end

of the year (about 6 books per quarter) Students will complete 1 page from their Independent

Reading Response Journal for each completed book.

LFI

Primary No formal homework assigned. Unfinished work is

placed in the daily student folder that goes home with a red note for completion at home.

Intermediate Each one of our students has a h/w folder.  We put

homework in their folder each night with the exception of Fridays.

The 3 Laws of Homework

Law #1: Children don’t like homeworkFrom how to Motivate Your Kids to Do Homework

(without having a nervous breakdown yourself) By Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller

The goal is not for kids to like homework!Focus on getting them to complete it. Kids do not enjoy sitting and studying. At

least, not after having spent a long school day comprised mostly of sitting and studying.

Law #2: You cannot make anyone do it

You can not make your child learn. You cannot make him hold a certain attitude. You cannot make him move his pencil.While you can not insist, you can assist.

Concentrate on assisting by sending positive invitations.

Invite and encourage you child using the ideas that follow.

Law #3: It's their Problem

Their pencils have to move. Their brains need to engage. Their bottoms need to be in the chair. It is their report cards that they bring home.

Too many parents see homework as the parent's problem. So they create ultimatums, scream and shout, threaten, bribe, scold, and withhold privileges. Have you noticed that most of these tactics do not work?

Our responsibility as parents is to provide our children with an opportunity to do homework. Our job is to provide structure, to create the system. The child's job is to use the system.

8 Tips for Making Study Time Effective

Tip #1: Don’t use the “H” word!

Eliminate the word homework from your vocabulary.

Replace it with the word “Study”. Have a study table instead of a homework table. This word change alone will go a long way

towards eliminating the problem of your child saying, "I don't have any homework."

Study time is about studying, even if you don't have any homework. It's amazing how much more homework kids have when they have to study regardless of whether they have homework or not.

Tip #2: Establish a routine

Figure out what works best for your child. It doesn’t have to be right after school, right before

dinner, or before bed. It is important to find a time that works and stay with this time every day.

Let your children have some input on when study time occurs.

Once the time is set, stick to that schedule. Kids thrive on structure even as they protest. It may take several weeks for the routine to become a habit.

Persist. By having a regular study time you are demonstrating that you value education.

Tip #3: Keep it simple

Keep the routine predictable and simple. One possibility includes a five minute

warning that study time is approaching, bringing their current activity to an end, clearing the study table, emptying their back pack of books and supplies, then beginning.

Set the timer for small breaks or check in points. Break up the time into brief segments that your child can handle.

Tip #4: Give Choices

Allow children to make choices about homework and related issues.

They could choose to do study time before or after dinner.

They could do it immediately after they get home or wake up early in the morning to do it.

Invite them to choose the kitchen table or a spot in their own room.

One choice children do not have is whether or not to study.

Tip #5: Help, Don’t Do

Only help if your child asks for it. Do not do problems or assignments for children.

When your child says, "I can't do it, tell them to pretend like they know and see what happens. Then leave the immediate area and let them see if they can handle it from there. If they keep telling you they don't know how and you decide to offer help, concentrate on asking than on telling.

Ask: "What do you get?“ "What parts do you understand?“ "Can you give me an example?“ "What do you think the answer is?“ "How could you find out?"

Tip #6: Teach what you want to see

Teach was you want to see in your children.Organization: If you want them to be organized

you have to invest the time to help them learn an organizational system. Check more often at first. Provide direction and correction where necessary.

Time Management: Help them learn what it means to prioritize by the importance and due date of each task. Teach them to create an agenda each time they sit down to study. Help them experience the value of getting the important things done first.

Tip #7: Encourage and motivate

Replace monetary and external rewards with encouraging verbal responses.

Do not give students money for grades or promise to purchase items: This does little to encourage children to develop a lifetime love of learning.

Instead make positive verbal comments that concentrate on describing the behavior you wish to encourage. "You followed the directions exactly and finished in 15 minutes." "I notice you stayed up late last night working on your book

report. It probably wasn't easy, but your efforts got it done." "All your letters are right between the lines. I'll bet your teacher

won't have any trouble reading this.”

Tip #8: Make time for you!

Use study time to get some of your own responsibilities handled.

Do the dishes, fold laundry, or write thank you notes. Keep the TV off!

If you engage in fun or noisy activities during that time children will naturally be distracted.

Study time is a family commitment. If you won't commit to it, don't expect that you children will.

Don’t let this be you!

Homework ResourcesThese websites link you to materials and other sites by content area and grade level

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/homework.aspx

http://homeworkresources.org/

http://www.homeworkspot.com/

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/124172.pdf

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, PLEASE ALWAYS BEGIN WITH YOUR

CHILD’S TEACHER

Homework (a.k.a. Study Time)