Dear Families,
Second grade is a very important year. The boys and girls are able to take
more responsibility for themselves and take a more active role in their
education.
Second grade homework reflects this change. Throughout this year, your
children will get homework in many different subject areas. Here is a list
of the types of homework your children will probably bring home:
*Your childrens's major homework for the year is home reading. I cannot
stress enough how important it is for your children to read every day. The
school guidelines for home reading is 20 minutes per school day. If your
children are going to school all five days this week, their home reading
assignment will be 100 minutes. Of course, your children can ALWAYS read
more if they want. When in doubt, check your children's assignment notebook
page. I will try to write the weekly reading goal on the top of the page.
*Another homework expectation is to practice the math facts that come home
in the form of triangle flash cards. It is so very important that your
children master these addition facts, so that they can concentrate on the
other math strategies that we learn throughout the year. Five minutes per
day is usually all it takes to help your child master these math facts.
*Other assignments will be sent home from time to time. The students will
try to write these assignments down on the assignment notebook sheets that
come home. The students will usually write down the due date on the top of
the homework page.
Please help your children become more responsible by providing the
following conditions for completing their homework assignments:
*Determine the best time for your children to do their homework. Some
children are so anxious to do their homework that they want to do it the
moment they arrive home. Others truly need to unwind, have a snack, and be
able to run around outside before they can concentrate. You know your
children and your household schedule in order to best determine the time to
do homework.
*Find a quiet area where your children can spread out their papers, and
provide the necessary equipment. HOMEWORK SHOULD ALWAYS BE DONE IN PENCIL,
unless it is an art project.
*Make sure your children has enough time to do their homework before they
need to get ready for bed.
*Provide support as needed. Second graders have many different reading
abilities at this age. Your children might need you to read the directions
to them and to double-check the answers once they finished with the
assignment.
*Many assignments, especially in Math, are meant to be done with a family
member. Your children truly appreciate the fact that you are taking an
active role in their education.
*With that being said, please don't do their homework for them. At this age,
being responsible for doing their own work will build their confidence and
help them learn important study habits that will benefit them throughout
their life.
*And last, but certainly not least, once your children are done with their
homework, have THEM put their own homework back in their take-home folders.
You cannot believe how many times I have heard students blame the parents
for not turning in their assignments! "My mom forgot to put it in my
backpack" is an excuse that I refuse to accept. I will ask them "Who is in
second grade?" until they finally admit that they need to be responsible for
themselves.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about homework or a particular
homework assignment, please do not hesitate to contact me. I thank you in
advance for helping your children become responsible citizens.
