Homework is an essential part of learning. It reinforces the learning that took place earlier in the day. Please look over your child's homework daily and help him/her with any corrections. In addition to the written homework, please make sure your child is reading with an adult each night a minimum of 15 minutes. The children will be choosing leveled books to take home from the classroom. In choosing a book, a good rule of thumb is that the child makes no more than three mistakes on one page. The same book can be read more than one night. They can also read library books and books you have at home. If they come home with a book that is too hard, just read it to them. Be sure and have them write the title of books they read on their reading log. Parents need to initial the log each night. The homework schedule is as follows: Spelling: Each week, on Monday, a spelling list will be sent home usually, consisting of 5 words that represent the phonics unit (Handy-Andy) we will be studying, 5 New Hanover County Core words, and 2 words related to our monthly theme. Monday's homework is to have your child read the list of words, spell each word aloud as they write them on the lines provided, and reread them as they finish. Please review these words each night. A pre- test will be given on Wednesday, with the opportunity to retake any words missed again on Friday. Handy-Andy: Who or what is Handy-Andy? Handy-Andy is a name that will come up often in the classroom. Andy is our helper who is always handy to assists with penmanship as well as our phonics leader. His picture is hanging in the classroom, come in and introduce yourself. On Tuesday and Wednesday a practice sheet(s) will be sent home reviewing the phonics unit we are studying. (The first few weeks of school, we will be reviewing the vowels a,e,i,o,u), and their short sounds (/a/ as in cat, /e/ as in net, /i/ as in pin, /o/ as in job and /u/ as in sun). Math: On Monday and Wednesday a practice sheet(s) and/or a math game will be sent home to reinforce the math skill covered during the week. I ask that you keep in mind, math is a building block. It is essential to have strong foundations to ensure better success at higher problem solving. All homework is due on Thursday. I ask that you either staple all worksheets together and sign the spelling sheet or that you initial each sheet. In doing so you are stating that you guided your child, but allowed them to the do the work on their own. This will give you a chance to see where your child's successes and weakness are. It will also allow me to regulate their homework based on individual need and skill. If there are ever any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.