Mrs. Kukawka’s Homework Policy
Dear Parents/Guardians,
According to the LAUSD homework policy, children in first grade may be assigned 25-30 minutes of daily homework, including reading. We suggest 10 minutes for the homework sheet (1 language arts & 1 math page), and 15-20 minutes of reading. Our classroom lessons will dovetail with the sequencing of the homework pages, so it it best to have your child habitually do just a couple of pages EACH DAY of the week, rather than try to get the entire packet done at the start of the week or in one sitting. A daily dose of homework provides consistency and ingrains habitual responsibility. Please keep the weekly homework packet at home until the end of the school week, when it is turned in. Depending upon your child’s ability, he/she may need all 10 minutes or a shorter period of time for the worksheet (a page of language arts & a page of math). Homework should not be a stressful time for students. If your child is taking a considerably longer period of time to complete homework, have him/her stop after 10 minutes and turn in whatever was completed. It is helpful if you write a short note on the homework page: "needed more time." This lets me know your child’s ability. I also encourage you to come talk to me about this, so we can find ways to help your child .
Homework will be taken home in a colored homework folder at the beginning of the week and brought back in the homework folder at the end of the week. Help your child to empty his/her homework cubby where the homework folder will be awaiting "pick-up." Homework is meant to be a review and reinforcement of concepts and skills your child is learning at school. The main purpose of homework in first grade is to teach your child responsibility: to take work home, complete it to the best of his/her ability, and return it on time.
At the beginning of the week, your child will receive the colored homework folder, which will be placed in your child's homework cubby. Inside the folder's back pocket there will be a homework cover sheet that lists the homework assignments and important dates for the week. The back side of this sheet will have a the list of words for the week. Please try to set aside at least 15 minutes a day to read. Individual worksheets and/or assignments will be sent home as a packet and you can work on each sheet according to the daily schedule listed on the homework cover sheet or whatever works best for your child’s schedule. It is best to prioritize math, since the daily practice and reinforcement will help guide my instruction. However, all homework is due at the end of the week. You might want to designate a "Homework Box", where completed assignments can be safety kept at home until they are stapled together. Please assist your child in placing his/her completed language arts & math homework inside his/her homework folder (front pocket of the folder) at the end of the week, collated & stapled with a NAME on each assignment.
Your role during homework time is that of a facilitator. It is important to help your child read directions (particularly at the beginning of the year), to make sure he or she understands what to do and which steps to follow. Also, you will want to help plan your child's homework time so that it is not left to the last minute. Be ure to check your child's homework if it is started at an after-school program. When possible your child should be the one sounding out and writing his/her own words. When completed, the homework should be a reflection of your child’s thinking. We have included some tools on the inside of the homework folder that your child might find helpful in completing assignments (hundreds and addition chart, and a sheet with proper letter and number formation).
I look forward to a wonderful year with you and your child, and I thank you for your support. Please remember to take care of your homework folder, as this is the only one that I will provide for you. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding the homework policy.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kukawka
Room 13