Homework Expectations:
Completion of homework is taken very seriously.  You are a significant partner in your child’s education so help them to understand immediately the importance of homework and doing their best work at all times.  Also, I cannot stress enough the difference between “helping” your child and just giving them the answers or doing it for them.  Homework is designed to teach responsibility as well as to reinforce skills taught in school.  Remember, on test days, you will not be here to do it for them or give them the answers so do not let them get used to relying on you for the answers.  Help them to figure out the answers on their own. 

 Also, I realize that family emergencies arise OCASSIONALLY.  When this happens, jot me a note in the planner and your child can complete the missed homework on the following night.  But, again, this is only to be used on an as needed basis, not on a regular basis.  HOMEWORK IS TO BE COMPLETED DAILY AND RETURNED THE FOLLOWING MORNING.
1. Fluency

 Your child will be bringing home a sheet each night for you to do with them.  It will be just letters at first.  You will need to time them for ONE minute while they are naming the letters as quickly as they can.  Please record the amount of letters they named correctly in ONE minute.  I will do a first run through with them during the day on Monday.  I will then give a final test on Friday.  If they are successful, they will be given a new list to do on Monday.  If they need more practice, they will continue with the same list the following week. Eventually, it will lead to letter sounds, words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs.  Please practice daily to help your child be successful.
2. Sight Word Lists
The sight word list that your child is presently working on is in the BEE book. Practice the words until your child has achieved mastery of that list of words.  There should be no longer than a 3 second pause between each word that they say.  When your child is ready, have them let me when they know them and I will test your child.  If successful, I will put the next list in the BEE book etc.   There are 11 sight word lists in First grade.

 

3. Math Facts - Test on Friday's.

Math Fact sheets will be coming home as homework in a few weeks.  They are two sided but please only do ONE side per night.  The children are to do the sheets completely on their own.  All you need to do is tell them when to start.  Then, please time them for three minutes and tell them to stop and make sure they stop.  With practice, this will help to improve the speed at which they are able to recall simple addition and subtraction facts.  We will do a Math Facts test in school two times per month.
4. Spelling- Test on Friday's
The children are to do spelling EVERY night.  Please see the homework sheet in the BEE Book each night so that your child does the correct assignment each night.   Upon completion of the daily homework, your child can access SpellingCity.com which offers games using the spelling words that I post for added practice and fun.