Families,
Each
day your student works incredibly hard to become a better reader, writer, and
mathematician. They explore, write, build, sing, create and socialize – it is a
long day. When students arrive home, we do not want families burdened with
hours of extra work. Extra-curricular activities and family time are important.
Additionally, students need the opportunity to explore, play, and be little!
Research
shows that developing fine and gross motor skills, building imaginative
thinking skills, and fostering a sense of creativity are critically important
skills for young learners. Additionally, these ‘non-academic’ skills build a
strong foundation for the learning that happens inside our classroom.
- Therefore, this year we will be using an alternative to the traditional homework packet - an experience and play-based homework choice board. Each month you will receive a choice board. These choice boards are not meant to be daunting or overwhelming. Rather, they are intended to build fine and gross motor skills, creativity, and imaginative skills. As students complete an activity, they may color that square in, and we will be sharing their calendar with the class at the end of the month. Please return it at the end of each month no matter how many choices you have completed!
- In addition to the attached choice board, we ask that you continue reading at home with your student each evening. Reading each day is important for the development of your child.On the back of your choice board you will find a reading log. Each night your child will bring home a book (starting in October) that their teacher has given them. Please return this book to school each day. Color in a star each day your child reads.
- A math packet will come home each Monday. This is a packet of worksheets of skills that your child has already learned. This is just extra practice for your student and good communication to you as to what we are working on in class. It does not need to be turned in to me.
All of these things will come home in a Take Home Folder. This will be in your child's backpack every night. Please get in the habit of checking it nightly as you will find homework, completed work, new books and notes from the teacher or school in it. It should come back to school EACH DAY!
I
appreciate your support as we explore a new avenue for monthly homework. All of these activities should take no longer than 30 minutes per day and most days much less! I look
forward to hearing your feedback and hearing about your experience with these
choice boards.
Happy
Learning!
