Homework at the kindergarten and first grade levels should be minimal (less than 30 minutes daily).
When assigning homework, teachers consider the following points:
The purpose of homework is to:
- Reinforce learning from the school day;
- Increase student responsibility;
- Provide communication to parents.
It is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure that homework assignments:
- Are meaningful and relevant;
- Are clearly communicated;
- Allow for differentiation;
- Are consistent amongst the grade level
- Focus on home“learning”, as opposed to home“work”.
Parent Involvement:
Parents can help by checking the child’s agenda and homework folder daily for assignments and notes from the teacher. Additionally, parents can help by providing a distraction-free environment.
Parents should avoid the temptation to do their children’s homework and produce error-free products. This does not contribute to a child’s learning; in fact, it often gives teachers an inaccurate assessment of children’s learning. If a child experiences difficulty in a homework assignment, it is much wiser for the parent to inform the teacher that more instructional support may be necessary.