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Homework

After much research, a Homework Policy Pilot, and surveys of our community, the teaching staff at RHS created the following developmental Homework Policy. We believe that this policy will enable our students to have time at home with family and play while also becoming ready for the demands of 6th grade and beyond.

Purpose of Homework

Homework is used to teach students to manage their time, practice what they have learned in class, and practice reading. Homework is also an opportunity to allow students to build independence and problem solving skills on their own and learn how to find answers to questions. Through a reasonable amount of homework our students will take responsibility for their learning.

Parent/Caregiver Role

Please provide a quiet space and the needed materials for your child.  Parents and caregivers should allow students to do the work on their own.  Please make sure that the teacher is aware of any struggles that a student has with the assigned homework. Also, please have your child stop after the allotted time. Parents/caregivers should sign/indicate where the student stopped (this will inform the teacher to provide support to that student).

Book Bags and Reading Logs

All students will have Book Bags that they are expected to bring to and from school daily. The Book Bags will contain books that students "shop" for in the classroom. These books are "just right books" and "dessert" books. Students in grades 2‐5 will use a Reading Log to record their reading and interaction with books.

Weekends and Holiday

There will be no homework given over weekends or holidays with the exception of long‐term projects that are due near weekends and holidays (i.e. Science Fair project)

Kindergarten (≤ 30 minutes)

  • Kindergarteners can read or be read to for 20‐30 minutes a day.
  • Once a month they will have a Caring School Community Homeside Activity.

First Grade (≤ 30 minutes)

  • First graders will read to themselves for 20‐30 minutes a day.
  • First graders will have a math problem of the week that they must solve in two different ways so that they can learn different strategies for problem solving. Please allow your child to solve these problems in their own way. If needed, guide or suggest a second way.
  • Once a month they will have a Caring School Community Homeside Activity.

Second Grade (≤ 45 minutes)

  • Second graders will read for a minimum of 20 minutes a day. They will record their reading on a Reading Log.
  • Second graders will have one math worksheet (students should stop working on this after 10 minutes and parents/caregivers should sign where the student stopped working).
  • Second graders will study addition and subtraction math facts for 5 minutes a day (parents/caregivers will provide flashcards).
  • Once a month they will have a Caring School Community Homeside Activity.
  • There will be occasional long‐term projects (students will learn time management from working over time on these projects). During these projects, there will be no math homework.

Third Grade (≤ 55 minutes)

  • Third graders will read for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. They will record their reading on a Reading Log.
  • Third graders will have one math worksheet (students should stop working on this after 20 minutes and parents/caregivers should sign where the student stopped working).
  • Once a month they will have a Caring School Community Homeside Activity
  • Third graders will study multiplication math facts for 5 minutes a day (parents/caregivers will provide flashcards).
  • There will be occasional long‐term projects (students will learn time management from working over time on these projects). During these projects, there will be no math homework.

Fourth Grade (≤ 60 minutes)

  • Fourth graders will read for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. They will record their reading on a Reading Log.
  • Fourth graders will do 15 minutes of math problem solving a night (students should stop working on this after 15 minutes and parents/caregivers should sign where the student stopped working).
  • Fourth graders will work on other assignments (word work, projects, writing, or Caring School Community Homeside Activity) for 15 minutes a night (students should stop working on this after 15 minutes and parents/caregivers should sign where the student stopped working).

Fifth Grade (≤ 60 minutes)

  • Fifth graders will read for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. They will record their reading on a Reading Log.
  • Fifth graders will do 15 minutes of math problem‐solving a night (students should stop working on this after 15 minutes and parents/caregivers should sign where the student stopped working).
  • Fifth graders will work on other assignments (word work, projects, writing, or Caring School Community Homeside Activity) for 15 minutes a night (students should stop working on this after 15 minutes and parents/caregivers should sign where the student stopped working).