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Home : 2006 : July : 25

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Every week I send home a list of spelling words and a home reading bag. The home reading bag has a selection of "just right" books that I expect the child to read to a family member, along with a reading log that I expect
the parents to sign. At the beginning of the year I sent home a list of ways to practice spelling words and a list of ways to practice math facts.

Parents and children know that we will have a spelling test every Friday, math facts tests 2-3 times per week and that I will have a book chat with each child about one of the books in their reading bag.

There are no corrections

or photocopies to do. I meet with children first thing in the morning to listen to them read/chat about their books, so it's an extra reading conference.

For me, this systems works out great. It's quick, easy, meaningful and routine, so that everyone knows what to expect. For parents who request extra homework for their child, I give them a list of ways to respond to books and a blank journal. I tell them that I'll look at any book projects that their child does and I'll read and discuss anything that their child writes. For people who insist on math worksheets, I'll usually give them a website address with printable worksheets and invite them to print some out for their child and then to correct them together.

I don't think that I'll ever do homework any other way.