HOMEWORK NOTEBOOK
Purpose:
Some of you may wonder why your child needs to have a homework notebook. There are several good reasons, so I will mention a few. First of all, it gives you the opportunity to work with your child at home. I don't know too many children who don't enjoy some one-on-one time with an adult! Second, it will get your child into the habit of being responsible in bringing things to and from school. Please also realize that he/she will need your help and guidance in remembering to do these things for a while! Third, it gives your child a boost in self-esteem ("Now I'm old enough for homework too!").
What the homework notebook is comprised of:
There will be several sections of the homework notebook:
• a. Sight words or Vocabulary words: You will find these written by your child onto index cards. What exactly are "sight words?" These are words that good readers may instantly recognize without having to "figure them out." There are two reasons why sight words are an essential component of good reading: First of all, many of these words do not sound like their spellings might suggest, so "sounding them out" would be unproductive. Also, a good reader really can't afford the time to dwell on too many words, or he may lose the speed and fluency necessary for determining the author's message. Also, some of the students will be getting vocabulary words. These students are able to figure out how to say the word but have no idea of what the word means! For comprehension purposes, obviously the student needs to know what they are reading about!
Your child will get new sight words/vocabulary words on a Friday and be tested on the following Friday. If your child cannot recognize the sight word within three seconds, then he/she will need to study these "review words" (see item "b" below) every night in addition to the new sight words. If your child cannot tell me what a vocabulary word means, it will go into the review words as well.
• b. Review words : In this Ziploc bag, you will find only those words that your child missed on Friday's word test. PLEASE have your child study these in addition to the new words. On Fridays, I will not only test your child on that week's words, but will also test your child on the "review words". If your child identifies the word correctly, then I will throw away the "review word". However, if he/she misses the word, then the index card will be put back for further study.
• c. Spelling list : The spelling list will be on the backside of the spelling activities sheet. Again, your child will be tested on Fridays.
• Just Read: When we begin the Just Read program, you will find your child's book inside this Ziploc bag along with the form.
• Homework: Any other work your child may have not finished during the day (i.e. writing or math) will be put inside the homework notebook as well.
How does it work?
On Mondays, your child will bring his/her homework notebook back to school and show it to me. I will then put a checkmark in the box showing he/she has been responsible by bringing it back. However, from Monday night to Thursday night, your child is expected to study both sight/vocabulary and spelling words. Please place your initials on the form each night showing that your child did indeed study.
Please note: I will not accept late signatures.
When your child gets the 5th signature, he/she will get to choose a prize from the prize box. Please also note that I will be keeping track of how often your child completes the homework notebook, as it will be on the report card.
Last year, some parents found it helpful to use the homework notebook as a means to send notes to school (i.e. taped to the front). I hope this helps you understand how the homework notebook works. If you have any further questions, please let me know.
Thank you!
Mrs. McCarthy
