Students will make the most progress if they read regularly and practice their math facts at home.  While the student should be able to complete most homework independently, there is no substitute for one-on-one assistance.  Students will also work on research and book reports at home.

• Purpose: The purpose of homework is to reinforce skills already learned and to teach the children how to be responsible.  Homework should not to become burdensome for you or your child.  If you find homework to be overly frustrating or becoming a battle, please communicate with the teacher either through a note attached to the homework, in the homework notebook, or via email.

• Reading:  Students are required to read 15 minutes a night but encouraged to read as much as they’d like!  Each month a reading log will be sent home. Please keep this in a safe place (you may leave it in the homework notebook) and return it when the month is over.

• Math facts: We will have Rocket Math addition and subtraction facts quizzes several times a week.  Your child will bring home corrected tests; please review the missed facts.  We also encourage you to make flashcards or play games with your child to practice the facts.  Automatic recall of facts (adding or subtracting without using fingers) is imperative as students begin to complete multi-step problem solving and computation exercises.  We will send home a math fact calendar in November so students can track the amount of time they spend studying their facts.

• Homework notebook: The teachers or aide will initial the homework notebook daily after the children have written down their homework.  Please review and sign the homework notebook daily.  Please have your child place it in his/her backpack so it is returned the following day.  In order for homework to be considered complete, students must have a parent signature in their homework notebook. This notebook is an important vehicle for communication; please feel free to jot down notes or questions in the notebook.

• Book reports: Students will complete 3-4 book reports during the school year.  The students will have 2-3 weeks to complete the book report; often we will only assign the book report as homework the week before it is due.  Book reports reinforce genre and story structure and provide an opportunity to learn time management.  We typically do not grant extensions with book report because we give adequate time for the project to be completed.

• Homework time guidelines: In 2^nd grade homework will take between 15-45 minutes.  This includes the required 15 minutes of reading.  If any assignment seems particularly difficult or frustrating for your child, please have him or her stop and write a note with the homework.  Please see the ASB Family Handbook for more information.

• Incomplete homework: Students who don’t have their homework will receive a warning.  If the student is missing his/her homework a second day, he/she may be asked to complete it during recess or take it home to finish it.  HOWEVER, if the student doesn’t have his/her homework, but has a note from you with a legitimate excuse (exceeds time guidelines, too frustrating, family emergency, etc), the homework can be made up the following evening.  Please try to plan ahead for occasions like soccer games and birthday parties.