Titan Hill Intermediate: Information

Titan Hill Homework Policy

by Kent Stopak

July 27, 2009

We ask that you read this homework policy with your child.

We have three goals for this homework policy. First, we want to improve communication between home and school. Second, we want to help students develop good habits for learning. Finally, we want to increase student learning.

You can expect your child to have approximately 30 to 50 minutes of homework on a nightly basis. The amount of time homework may actually take will vary by child and depend on things like a student’s general knowledge, work habits, and attitude about the work.

Work that is not completed at school may become homework. Students will generally have 15 – 30 minutes of reading a night. In addition, students may have 15 – 30 minutes of Math, Science, or Social Studies work (reading, projects, assignments, additional practice, or studying for a test).

Homework goes beyond paper and pencil exercises. It includes reading, writing, researching, exploring, and experimenting.

Research studies have shown that homework has a positive effect on student performance in school. Homework provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of the material and skills they are learning at school. Homework “helps students to develop good study habits, foster positive attitudes toward school, and communicate to students the idea that learning takes work at home as well as at school.” (Cooper, 1989)

Homework can be assigned for the purpose of practice. Homework can also be assigned to prepare students for new material or to build on material that has already been introduced.

When homework is assigned, students should receive feedback. Feedback may come in the form of discussion, grading the work, or written comments by the teacher.

Parents play a very important role when it comes to homework.

Children still get almost all their values at home. That includes respect for, and love of, learning. When all is said and done, the single biggest influence on a child’s ability to learn is active parental involvement. Home is a key part of homework.

Please remember to check and sign the planner on a daily basis.
Help set up a consistent, organized place for homework to be done. It should be a quiet, well-lighted space. There should be no TV or radio and as few distractions as possible.
Help your child establish a consistent schedule for completing homework. Homework should be started as early as possible to avoid conflicts with bedtime. When bedtime comes, please stop your child, even if he or she is not done. Return the homework to school the next day whether it is finished or not.
Encourage, motivate, prompt, and occasionally help your child, but do not always sit with him or her and do the homework with him or her. The purpose of homework is for your child to practice and use what he or she has learned. If your child is consistently not able to do the homework by himself or herself, please contact the teacher.
Provide help studying for tests by reviewing with your son or daughter.
If your child is practicing a skill, ask her or him to tell you which steps are easy, which are difficult, or how he or she is going to improve. If your child is doing a project, ask him or her what knowledge he or she is applying in the project.

Students play a very important role when it comes to homework.

Students are expected to complete and return their homework on time.
Students are expected to do their Personal Best on their homework.
Students are expected to complete the work on their own and ask for help only after they have given their best effort.
Failure to complete homework will have a negative effect on a student’s effort grade and may also lead to poor performance in school and lowered grades because of missed opportunities to practice skills.

The staff of Titan Hill Intermediate wish to thank you for your support in providing the best education possible for your child. Please keep a copy of the homework policy at home.