Amount of
Homework

 

The amount of time spent on homework will vary by student, as students work at different speeds on various assignments. In addition, time spent on homework will vary depending on the degree of parental involvement. In general, teachers follow the guidelines below in determining the appropriate amount of homework to assign. As each child has his or her own style of working, these guidelines are approximate. The amount assigned to an individual student may also vary depending on the particular needs of the student as determined by the teacher and parent. In addition to the regular weekly homework, teachers may assign particular tasks (for example, math facts), short-term and long-term projects and outside reading.

Homework Time Guidelines by Grade:

Kindergarten:	on occasion
Grade 1:	on an irregular basis
Grade 2:	2 times a week, 15-30 minutes each time
Grade 3:	4 times a week, 20-30 minutes each time
Grade 4:	4 times a week, 30-40 minutes each time
Grade 5:	4 times a week, 45-60 minutes each time

 

If parents have questions regarding homework assignments or the amount of homework assigned, it is important to speak to the child's teacher.

Note: Parts of this Homework Policy are based on a publication on homework written by Beverly Swanson and funded by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education.

HOMEWORK FOR ILL STUDENTS

If a child is to be confined to home due to illness for 3 or more days, parents may request schoolwork to do at home. Work will be assembled by the classroom teacher, but parents should request it with enough advance notice so as not to interrupt teaching.

HOMEWORK VACATION POLICY

Due to increasing frequency of vacations taken by families during the school year, elementary principals would like to advise parents of the following: When families elect to take extra vacations during the school year, children miss important instruction, discussion and activities which allow guided practice of new skills. Instructional time that is missed while a child is on vacation cannot be replaced. Since written assignments are directly related to classroom instruction, practice and explorations, it is not possible to send class work with students who take vacation during the year. Reading and journal writing are two activities that parents may provide for their children while on vacation.