Homework
The research literature on homework is inconclusive at best, suggesting that students do not benefit from regular homework until upper elementary or middle school. Davidson County Schools' homework policy is that students should have no more than 10 minutes per grade level (so a K/1 student would have 10 minutes, whereas a second grader would have 20 minutes). Therefore, I do not "require" homework. However, I send home suggested materials and activities to work with your child to build fluency in reading, writing, math, and developmental skills.
Two areas the research literature is consistent on for primary grades students is the need for reading by, with, and to proficient readers, as well as the need for play. I encourage you to read by/with/to your child for at least 20 minutes a day, as this dramatically increases his/her oral vocabulary, provides models of fluent reading, and allows your child opportunities to practice. Parents often ask what to read, and I always say, "You can read anything!" The school library, as well as the public libraries of Davidson and Forsyth County, offer many reading resources. Websites such as Epic, and applications such as Reading Rainbow, Kindle, and Nook also offer digital reading materials for children.
Each week a word card will be sent home with your child that has the week's sight words, as well as sentences to reinforce the sight words. We will practice these sight words in class, and the word card provides additional reinforcement in learning these words. Sight words are an important part of early literacy, as they allow children to begin reading words that either (1) they do not yet have the skills to decode (sound out), or (2) cannot be decoded due to irregular patterns. Think of sight words as a quick start to learning to read!
After the first few weeks of school, we will begin our baggy books, which will provide you with take-home readers on a Kindergarten level. Once reading assessments are completed, these books will be tailored to your child's personal reading level. While it may seem silly to read the same book(s) again and again, this is actually an important (research-based) part of building reading fluency and automaticity with word recognition. Even reading a bedtime story can count towards reading time!
I strongly believe that play is the most important part of homework for young children. Children need opportunities to play outdoors, climb trees, swing, and get dirty. They also need opportunities to make things with their families (like cooking and baking) and learn important life skills. Spending time with our children is one of our most important jobs as parents, teaching them valuable skills that they will need to be successful in later years. It is my fervent hope as both a mom and an educator, that by limiting the amount of homework your child receives, it will give you more opportunities for play and bonding time as a family.