Our elementary students sometimes have homework assignments, and they are viewed as a way to improve organizational skills, provide practice in important skills, and strengthen the connection between home and school. Our elementary handbook states, "While overall homework at the elementary level has not shown a strong correlation to student achievement, it has been proven to help students with organization, responsibility, and preparation for middle school where there is a stronger link to positive achievement. Math homework has shown a correlation when the assignments include deeper learning and authentic tasks reflective of current learning. Please contact your child’s teacher if your child is struggling with homework." At the primary levels, students are encouraged to read at home and to share what they learned each day with their families. Older students have more formal, traditional assignments. However, this varies by grade level and teacher.
Garnet Valley School District's Approach to Homework
The Garnet Valley School District has developed a thoughtful approach to homework, grounded in research and aimed at supporting both academic and personal growth for students. Below are the key aspects of the district’s homework philosophy, which reflects the evolving understanding of homework's role in student development, particularly at the elementary level:
1. Purpose and Philosophy
The district's homework guidelines are built around the following goals:
Establish clear, consistent homework expectations across the elementary schools.
Create homework that is effective while also being respectful of the needs of both children and their families.
Emphasize the development of learning habits and skills like time management, responsibility, and self-regulation, which become increasingly important as students progress to higher grades.
2. Research Insights
Research shows little to no correlation between homework and academic achievement at the elementary level. However, there is a stronger connection at the middle and high school levels. Therefore, elementary homework focuses on preparing students for future academic success by developing essential study skills, learning behaviors, and positive attitudes toward learning.
3. Homework Structure and Best Practices
The district encourages homework that:
Is open-ended and allows for differentiation based on students' needs.
Offers a variety of tasks, including real-world applications and opportunities for students to engage with content that interests them.
Incorporates higher-level thinking, social learning, and family involvement.
Includes physical activity and allows students to balance schoolwork with family time, extracurricular activities, and play.
4. Reading Homework
Reading is a key component of homework at all elementary grade levels. Students are expected to read daily, with minimum time requirements set for each grade:
Grade 1: 10 minutes
Grades 2-3: 20 minutes
Grades 4-5: 30 minutes
Reading can take various forms, including reading alone, with someone, or being read to.
5. Math Homework
Math homework is structured to reflect daily learning and emphasizes fewer, deeper problems that encourage authentic engagement with the content. The focus is on understanding rather than rote memorization.
6. Time Expectations
For assignments beyond reading, homework time is designed to be manageable and flexible:
Grade 1: 10 minutes
Grades 2-3: 15 minutes
Grades 4-5: 20 minutes
If a student struggles with an assignment, parents are encouraged to notify the teacher, and the student should stop after a reasonable effort.
7. Eliminating Mindless Tasks
The district has moved away from practices such as nightly reading logs, which can become counterproductive. Instead, more meaningful methods like short-term, goal-oriented reading logs are encouraged, allowing students to reflect on and improve their reading habits.
8. Parent Involvement
The role of parents is crucial in fostering positive attitudes toward homework. The district emphasizes open communication between teachers and parents to ensure that homework is a constructive and manageable part of students' learning experience.
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