Entry #10

The Great Homework Debate "to assign or not to assign homework"  is alive and well.  Our class had and
interactive debate on this complicated issue.  Aside all the statistics being hashed back and forth, in my
findings within the last 10 years the relationship between student achievement and homework  has leaned
toward homework.  Although there is not concrete evidence about whether homework affects student
achievement, teachers and parents alike both agree homework instills independence and responsibility.
Our instructor, Jean Rice, shared with us several research based Homework Guidelines, that when carefully
planned and have purpose for students it will enhance achievement.
1.Purposeful-Our lst Grade team issues a reading/spelling packet for our StoryTown Reading Program
   on Monday to be returned on Friday
2.  Design homework to maximize the probability students will complete the homework-the packet is
     divided into Day 1,Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 so it is not over whelming
3.  Involve parents-the parents initial planners daily to support consistent homework habits
4.  Carefully  monitor the amount of homework appropriate to lst graders-we plan on 10-15 minutes
     an assignment that has been suggested by research.  In addition, my teammate and I also have had
     a lst Grade Homework Club  after school for students who would like additional help with their
     reading/spelling packets or other subjects since the beginning of the school year.
The homework packet is collected in Friday and corrected.  During the next week students are conferenced
to correct errors. Any comments about students' work  is usually communicated in their planners or on the
assignment to their parents.  Serious concerns are addressed with a phone call or email. I am very proactive
with homework for I believe it reinforces skills learned in class to build upon, encourages independency,
practices good study habits, nutures positive attitudes, and accepting responsibility to prepare students for life long learning.