Homework
Daily Reading
The most important homework is to spend 20-30 minutes reading everyday (or more).
Here are some tips that will ensure that you keep improving in reading:
Here are some tips that will ensure that you keep improving in reading:
- Read out loud at least 5-10 minutes daily in order improve fluency, expression and French pronunciation. You can read in your head for the rest of the time if you want.
- Read in French and in English. You could read in French one day, and in English the next.
- Read books from home, from the public library, or the school library. You can borrow books from the classroom library (French and English) and French GB+ Level books from the Pod. Make a note in your agenda of the books borrowed and ensure that you bring them back before borrowing new ones.
- Choose an interesting book: Depending on your interests and reading abilities, there is so much to choose from: illustrated books, graphic novels and comics, magazines, books about your favorite topics or activities (sports, LEGO, animals, nature, science, etc).
- Choose a good fit book (not too easy, not too hard): You should be able to decode most of the words in the page, with a few challenging words. It's OK to read fun, easy books once in a while, but make sure you keep challenging yourself so you will keep improving.
- If a book is really interesting, but too challenging, you can read it with the help of an adult (or older sibling) the first time to help you decode harder words. Then, read it again on your own and see how you are improving!
- When reading in French at home, you can use Google Translate or other online dictionaries to type a French word that you don't know. You will be able to hear the word in French (pronunciation) and see the English translation. Keep a list of the new words that you learn with their meaning.
- To improve fluency and expression, read the same page (or short book) several times until you can read it without hesitation. It should flow naturally and sound like you are talking (not like a robot!).
Math Facts Practice
Working on basic math facts for 10 minutes everyday is also expected.
- We are working towards mastery of math facts in the following order: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Students who show mastery will receive a certificate of achievement and move on to the next set of facts. We will begin the year by reviewing the common mental math strategies for addition and subtraction that were learned and practiced in previous years. Most addition and subtraction facts should be acquired already, so we will quickly move to working on multiplication strategies as a class.
- Focus on mental math strategies rather than learning the facts by heart. Look in your child's homework duo-tang for the Power of Ten homework packages that will suggest mental math strategies to use.
- Students can work on this in different ways: dice & card games, flashcards, math facts coloring sheets, oral quiz while driving to after school activities. I will keep teaching them engaging ways to practice that help them develop mental math strategies.
- I have posted resources for Multiplication in the Math Resources section and I will be adding more math facts resources as needed.
Weekly Homework
In addition to reading and math fact practice, there will be a homework duotang that goes home everyday. Students will receive their homework assignment for the week on Monday, work on it throughout the week and hand in their duotang on Fridays. The type of work will vary from week to week (grammar, conjugation, reading comprehension, writing, math, etc). The written homework shouldn't take a long time to do because I want the students to have enough time to focus on reading and math fact practice (and of course physical activity).
Tips for written homework assignment:
Tips for written homework assignment:
- I explain the homework on Monday morning. I do a few sample questions with the class. Ask questions if you don't understand!!!
- You know your homework is due on Friday. Look at your schedule for after-school activities and find a good day to work on your assignment.
- Try to do your homework early in the week as much as possible. If you don't understand a question, or if you need help, ask Madame Nathalie for help during morning work (Travail du matin). Chances are you are not the only one with the same question, and it might be a good chance for me to clarify with the whole class!
- We will be correcting the homework as a class on Friday morning. Make sure to bring your homework duo-tang back to school on Friday.
Unfinished work and longer assignments
Some students who work at a slower pace or who have missed class time might occasionally be asked to complete work at home in order to keep up with the class.
On weeks when a bigger assignment is coming due (ex: a book report, an oral presentation, a writing assignment, a research report, etc)., I might skip the weekly written homework assignment to allow for students to complete the bigger assignment at home if they didn't have time to finish during class-time. Students who have used their class-time efficiently will get a break from homework!
On weeks when a bigger assignment is coming due (ex: a book report, an oral presentation, a writing assignment, a research report, etc)., I might skip the weekly written homework assignment to allow for students to complete the bigger assignment at home if they didn't have time to finish during class-time. Students who have used their class-time efficiently will get a break from homework!