Homework
We have several homework categories to keep track of, with varying due dates -- this is to alleviate the burden all falling at once for students and/or parents. Please know that when students are absent on the day something is due, their work is expected to be turned in upon their return. Parents, you can help by: 1. creating a routine for your child to work on homework each day, 2. creating a sacred location for your child to work that will be dedicated to homework and free of interruptions (siblings, tv, pets, etc), and 3. by supporting your child in each of these areas and monitoring his/her progress towards completion and meeting set goals. For more specific information, please see below.
Note: if your child is not completing classwork during the day, it may be sent home to be completed and returned the following school day. If this becomes a regular habit, please speak with your child about obstacles in his/her learning and let's meet so we may discuss and create a plan to resolve these problems together as a cooperative team.
Click here for Snoqualmie Elementary School's homework policy for each grade level.
Note: if your child is not completing classwork during the day, it may be sent home to be completed and returned the following school day. If this becomes a regular habit, please speak with your child about obstacles in his/her learning and let's meet so we may discuss and create a plan to resolve these problems together as a cooperative team.
Click here for Snoqualmie Elementary School's homework policy for each grade level.
Reading
Reading is the foundation of all that we do, which is why reading is a focus for our homework in first grade. Reading logs are typically sent home with students on Thursdays/Fridays, due the following Thursday. In the event that the reading log is misplaced, please use another sheet of paper to record all book titles and time spent reading for the week. The information does not need to be recorded on the original form. Students should be reading "just right" books for at least 15 minutes per night. Utilizing a website like Raz-Kids or Lexia for a portion of reading homework is also acceptable as kids should enjoy a variety of genres to read each week. Remember that your child may need help to select read materials at his/her appropriate level; Lexia and stories on Raz-Kids or in RED folders are all selected to be at your child's correct level. Parents, you can help by: 1. listening to your child read aloud to correct errors and to ask questions to enhance your child's comprehension skills, 2. helping your child to select appropriate "just right" books, and 3. showing your children how reading makes a difference in your life and 4. continuing to read aloud to your child provide modelling, to read more challenging books together, and to simply spend quality time with your child with a focus on literacy.
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Math
Any math homework that is sent home is due the very next day as these assignments are to reinforce each day's lesson. When we begin a new topic, students will have new games to bring home to play which will help to reinforce the ideas within that topic of study. Games may stay at home for continued practice. Parents, you can help by: 1. watching the online videos for each day's lesson to see how concepts are taught and to understand the vocabulary your child is learning as it pertains to math - especially before starting the nightly homework that matches the lesson taught, 2. playing math games to encourage your child to see math as fun and educational, and 3. demonstrate how you use math in your everyday life.
Spelling
First grade students are developing their writing skills and need a lot of practice writing and spelling words correctly. By practicing spelling words and familiar word patterns each week all year long, students will increase their ability to spell common words (which we will refer to as "No Excuse" words) and communicate more effectively through their writing. Parents, you can help by: 1. helping your child practice his/her words and word/sound patterns each week, 2. correcting your child's writing to ensure the words we have worked on all year long are spelled accurately, and 3. encouraging your child to use what they know about words to spell and/or seek out proper resources to find the correct spelling of words he/she wants to use when writing. Remember you ARE a resource!
With the new adoption of ReadyGen reading curriculum, we will not have formal spelling tests this year but I will still encourage students to practice high frequency words and word families to continue their word development.
With the new adoption of ReadyGen reading curriculum, we will not have formal spelling tests this year but I will still encourage students to practice high frequency words and word families to continue their word development.
Portfolio Picks
Portfolio Picks are typically sent home Thursdays, due the next day. Students will bring home their completed work in a laminated envelope. The work should be reviewed with a parent, and then the child will select one piece of work that he/she feels good about or one that could be improved upon. Once an item is selected, the enclosed half-sheet needs to be completed (students will explain why the item was chosen as their pick, they also need to sign and date the form). The item plus the “portfolio pick slip” need to be returned to school on Friday as part of homework; all other completed work should stay at home. If students neglect to pick up a portfolio pick slip in class on Thursday, they are to create their own on another piece of paper at home. Parents, you can help by: 1. reviewing your child's work together each week to discuss improvements made, errors needing attention, or quality of daily classwork, 2. help your child to reflect on his/her work by asking why a particular piece has been selected, and 3. if your child does not have a slip, he/she is to create their own as that is not an acceptable excuse for not completing this simple task.
Other Assignments
There may be occasional assignments throughout the year that your child will be required to complete, such as Star of the Week and Scientist of the Week or other theme-oriented projects that may arise like our Pumpkin Book Report in October, Holiday Show & Tell in November, and a Character Book Report project in June. I do my very best to keep these to a minimum and provide advanced notice when I am able. Parents, you can help by: 1. reading all classroom communication to be aware of your child's assignments and 2. touching base with your child daily to determine whether or not he/she has work that needs completing.
Oral Math Facts
(Starting in 3rd Trimester) To strengthen math skills, students need to build their fluency with automatic recall of basic math facts. Students have benchmarks established for each trimester to show steady progress to ensure success. Parents, you can help by: 1. have your child practice all facts on the page daily as a part of his/her homework routine, 2. conduct a one-minute timing every other day, 3. sign and return the timing to school once your child can easily complete 20+ math facts in one minute, and 4. help your child make steady progress meeting the benchmarks established.