Dear Moms and Dads,
What should you do when your child comes home with an armload of books, a
list of assignments, and a pleading face? Here are some frequently asked
questions that might help you.
- How much help should I give my child when doing homework?
- How should I handle a Parum Paratus or Discipline slip brought home that I need to sign?
- How much time should my child be spending on homework?
- What is my child's grade based on?
- How should I contact the teacher?
How much help should I give my child when doing homework?
Always be aware there is a difference between being a resource
and consultant, and hovering over a child with constant advice.
Be available to check work if needed, and to check whether the
assignment has been completed. If your child asks you to review
material before a quiz or test, be that resource without
discussing the teacher's method or style. Make your child aware
that it is their responsibility to write down the homewwork.
How should I handle a Parum Paratus or Discipline slip brought home that I need to sign?
First of all, remain calm. Listen to your child's reason for the
slip. Never berate your child or the teacher. You undermine our
authority when you do that. Sign the slip and assure your child
that this is important and you want them to develop great school
skills, and that this is NOT a punishment.
How much time should my child be spending on homework?
Every child learns at a different rate. You cannot compare
homework times with other children in your family or classmates.
Children should have at least 30-45 minutes of homework each
weekday. If they do not have written work; reading or studying
notes should be considered homework. Long-term assignemtns are
generally given about once a month.
What is my child's grade based on?
Students will show evidence of learning by completing homework,
quizzes, tests, reports, and projects. Classroom participation is
important to help the teacher understand what your child knows or
needs to know. The student's final grade will be based on the
number of points recorded for the quarter.
How should I contact the teacher?
Please e-mail me at school for any misunderstanding you might
have or a problem that arises. Please note I do not recieve my e-
mails at home; so if I don't get back to you right away, it is
because I haven't gotten the mail.