Homework Guidelines 2004- 2005

What Is Homework?

· Homework is defined as any or all learning experiences that are assigned as a direct extension of classroom instruction beyond the regular school day.

What is the School’s Philosophy of Homework?

· We believe that the practice of completing homework assignments will ultimately improve the academic performance of each of our students.

· We believe that homework supplements and/or reinforces classroom instruction.

· We believe that homework facilitates the development of effective time management and study skills as it simultaneously fosters student responsibility.

· We believe that while homework should be assigned on a regular basis, it should not be overburdening.

What Are the Purposes of Homework?

· To provide additional time on tasks outside the classroom.

· To further the comprehension and development of skills taught in the classroom

· To measure understanding

· To encourage independent study, self-reliance, and personal accountability

· To study for future assignments and tests

· To learn to use resources effectively

· To provide families with an understanding of what the school is attempting to accomplish

What Should Not Be The Purposes of Homework?

· Homework should not be used as a punitive measure.

· Homework should not be used for disciplinary reasons.

· Homework should not be used to introduce a skill that has not been previously taught

· Homework should not confuse or overwhelm the student

· Homework should not e defined as simply bringing materials/supplies to class.

What Are the Consequences for Not Doing Assigned Homework?

The following sequential list of consequences is per course:

1^st: Teacher notifies parent with a stamped note in the agenda book

2^nd: Student is counseled by the school counselor.

3^rd: Student attends 7:30 a.m. study group.

4^th & all subsequent: Parent visits the school for a day.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING PARENT VISITATIONS:

Parents are reminded that they are to adhere to the same rules and regulations that apply to all adults and students who are a part of Block’s school community. Therefore, if you are scheduled for a parent visit, please be sure to do the following:

· Arrive on time and report to the office.

· Remove hats (both men and women).

· Meet with either the dean or the principal to sign paperwork associated with the visitation.

· Remain in school for the entire school day (8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.).

· Visit all classes.

· Refrain from reading the newspaper unless, of course, doing so is part of the teacher’s lesson plan.

· Refrain from bringing and/or playing video games during the visitation.

· Either leave cell phones and/or pagers home or be sure to turn them off during the visitation.

· Do not bring food or drinks into the classroom.

· Be mindful the Block has a closed campus which means that parents are not to leave the building during the course of the school day. For lunch, parents may either choose to bring a bag lunch with them, or they may purchase a lunch in the school’s cafeteria. With either choice, a parent is to eat lunch with his or her child in the cafeteria. The Teachers’ Lounge (and the telephone and microwave located there) are restricted to teacher usage only.

Starting with the 2004-05 school year, Block Junior High School will limit the number of parent visitations as a result of level four violations to a total of three per child for the entire year. If a student fails to make minimal academic progress after three completed parent visitations, the school will consider referring the parents to the courts for educational neglect. A number of factors will be used to determine neglect; these will include but not be limited to the student’s discipline history, attendance history, homework completion rates, and academic achievement.

What Are Student Responsibilities for Homework?

· To listen carefully and to ask any questions about the directions concerning the homework assignment.

· To accurately record homework in the agenda book on a daily basis.

· To take home and to return to school all necessary materials.

· To commit to a consistent time and place to complete homework.

· To carefully complete daily homework assignments.

· To submit completed assignments on time.

· To not copy or plagiarize homework assignments.

· To be responsible for making up missed assignments due to an excused absence.

· To practice good study habits and to produce high quality work.

What are Parent Responsibilities for Homework?

· To hold your child responsible to do at home the things necessary to success in the classroom.

· To make sure student completes homework and turns in all assignments on due date.

· To cooperate with the school homework policy.

· To make homework a priority by providing a quiet, clean, well lit place to study along with necessary supplies and resources.

· To work with your child, providing guidance as needed.

· To verify that the homework assignment is complete before signing the agenda book!

· To encourage your child to do his/her best—not simply do the minimum.

· To contact teacher/school if there are questions/concerns about homework.

· To encourage your child’s efforts. Ask to see graded homework and discuss it with your child.

What Are Teacher Responsibilities for Homework?

· To post homework assignments at a consistent location within the classroom.

· To assign reasonable amounts of homework. (15-30 minutes per course)

· To provide clear and explicit directions.

· To assist students who are having difficulty completing the assignment.

· To assign homework that will further the academic goals and objectives for each student.

· To assign meaningful homework assignments that reflect both state and local standards and curriculum.

· To review and/or evaluate homework assignments in a timely fashion.

· To provide ample instruction during class time to ensure students being able to work independently.

· To require students to makeup missed homework assignments due to an excused absence.

· To provide an outline for long-term projects.

· To teach the necessary learning strategies of time management, organizational skills, and the effective use of resources.

· To stamp the agenda book when homework is not completed.

· To verify that the agenda book is signed by parents when requested to do so.

Helpful Homework Hints for Students

· Develop a daily routine in a non-distracting setting that is quiet, clean, and well lit.

· Set a consistent, special time to complete homework, preferably immediately after school while instructions are still fresh.

· Have a snack to boost energy and to relax.

· Use agenda book to keep track of and to check for homework and other important assignments.

· Carefully follow the directions.

· Complete the more difficult tasks first leaving the easier assignments for last.

· Take a break periodically.

· Review the example problems in the respective textbooks.

· Use flashcards and reference books and materials.

· Don’t wait until the last minute.

· Do it…review it.

· Have parents check for completion of assignment.

· Place completed assignment into book bag.

What Resources are Available for Homework Assistance?

· Tutoring
1. Roberto Clemente Center – 391-8485

2. Purdue University Calumet – 989-3227 (Call Skills Assessment Center)

3. Block Junior High School (Monday-Thursday in language arts, reading, & math from 3:10-4:00 p.m.)

· The East Chicago Public Library has a complete set of textbooks used at Block Junior High School.

· Online Homework Helpers:

1. http://www.kidinfo.com/ This is a terrific site for kids with a separate index of resources for parents and teachers. Contains a wide range of reference materials as well as a Homework Help section.

2. http://www.kidsinfoplease.com/ This site is like an almanac with the pages laid out hyperlinks. Students can find information about the world, people, sports, science, and numbers in addition to other topics. There is a Homework Center and a Homework Helpers where students can ask questions.

3. http://www.bjpinchbeck.com/ Powerful site! It has links to 580 educational sites.

4. http://www.homeworkcentral.com/ (Slated to become a part of http://www.bigchalk.com/) One of the premier study and search collections can be found on this site.

5. www.Yahooligans.com/schoolbell Click on Homework Help link to enter 18 general homework sites.

6. www.ipl.org/youth This Internet library provides links to all standard schoolroom topics. This link also provides information on the basics of html, the language of Web pages.

7. www.forum.swarthmore.edu/dr.math-math.html A free question-and-answer service for K-12 math students, their parents, and teachers. Students can pose a math question by e-mail and get an individual answer.

8. http://www.webmath.com/ This is an awesome math site! Enter in a math problem, and this site not only tells you the answer but also provides a step-by-step explanation on how the answer was calculated!

9. www.rosehulman.edu/hh Another site for help in math.

10. http://www.doe.inlus/ Indiana Department of Education website for ISTEP+ assistance.

11. All major search engines have a homework help link.