Homework Plan

Walnut Acres Homework Plan

Approved by SSC on 3/3/11

As a school in the process of becoming a 21st Century learning community, we accept the entirety of the district homework plan with emphasis on the components of the plan that we believe will help prepare our students for success in a rapidly changing world. These essential components are:

Purpose/Relevance/Rigor – 

Homework will have clear academic purpose, such as reinforcement, checking for understanding, or applying knowledge of previously learned skills. Students will understand the purpose of assignments to enhance relevancy. Homework will include opportunities for students to practice depth of understanding and apply new learning to the real world.

Choice/Autonomy –

Homework will offer opportunities for students to select an assignment or some component of an assignment by providing option(s).

Student ownership –

Homework will offer student responsibility opportunities for work completion through choice, relevance and student accountability.

Consistency – 

Homework will comply with district timeframe guidelines with similarity of assignments between teachers at each grade level.

Communication –

Homework assignments will be clearly explained to students while parents and teachers communicate about parent role in assignment completion.

Balance – 

In pursuit of the whole child, homework timeframes will indicate a commitment to a balanced life for students after school that supports family activities, play time, and other organizational experiences. When large grade level projects are assigned, daily homework will be appropriately reduced. Grades K-4 will practice Well Balanced Wednesdays. Modified homework will be assigned on that day in order to support student play, family time, and extracurricular activities. 4th and 5th grades, with departmentalized classes, practice modified homework through teacher coordination all week.

Teacher will adhere to homework plan and meet with parent if there is a pattern of difficulty.
Student will diligently work during homework time.
Parent will monitor diligent workers, write note to teacher if homework unfinished within timeframe, and meet with teacher if there is a pattern of homework difficulty.

Grade Level	General homework Time ( Monday - Thursday)	+ Daily Reading Time (Monday - Thursday ... FUN reading recommended every day!)
K	10	parent child read together
1	10 - 20 minutes	10 - 20 minutes
2	20 minutes	10 - 20 minutes
3	30 minutes	10 - 20 minutes
4	30 - 45 minutes	20 - 30 minutes
5	30 - 45 minutes	20 - 30 minutes