Third graders here at Calhan are generally expected to do about 30 minutes of
homework nightly in accordance with board policy. We practice computation
facts, reading, & spelling. Your student should have a computation worksheet
(form B) to do each weeknight and a 100 problem WS for the weekend, this
should take less than 5 minutes. AR reading should take around 20 minutes,
and a couple nights a week we will also have spelling to do for about 5
minutes. Each student works on his/her specific level of computation &
reading. This is not designed to be busy work, but reinforcement of his/her
ability based new skills.
Our district computation goals have Third graders mastering 100 problems of
addition in 3 min. first quarter, 100 problems subtraction second quarter,
100 problems multiplication 3rd quarter, and 100 problems of division in 5
min. for 4th quarter. If your student has not yet passed his/her addition,
extra homwork will be coming home, in an attempt to help him/her reach this
skill target. Please reinforce the importance of mastery of basic facts and
help your child gain this important LIFE LONG skill. Thanks!
If your student is absent, he/she will be expected to remain inside during
recesses for instruction on the work missed. But students do not have to miss
all their recesses to complete the work. Once I'm confident the student will
be able to complete the assignments on his/her own or with your support,
recess becomes an option again. Students will normally NOT be pulled from
specials (PE, Music, etc.) to do make-up work, as those classes have
standards & skill targets as well. However, sometimes due to prolonged
absences or extreme difficulty in getting caught up, missing Specials becomes
the best option. Students are given an extra day after they return to school
to get caught up on assignments. Because many of our skills build on
yesterday's skills, each day becomes critical for the next day's success and
so we try to get students caught up as quickly as possible. After an
absence, please ask to see your student's "make-up folder" and help them get
through it. Please don't hesitate to call me with any questions!