Homework

The main purposes of homework in 2nd grader are to:

• Build reading stamina
• Increase fact fluency in addition and subtraction
• Gain INDEPENDENCE in learning

The last purpose is probably the most important.  That is why I find the homework MENU to be most helpful with this.  Having a choice in a variety of activities usually increases interest, excitement, and independent practice.

The "Homework Menu" should be worked on throughout the week.  There will be categories of activities with different point values.  It will be your child's job to choose a few activities that total a minimum of 10 points.  There will be a variety of activities to choose from, and as the school year goes on, the variety will increase, as well as the minimum number of points required. As a parent, you should check in on your child throughout the week to see how it's going and then sign your name at the top of the menu so I know you are aware of how the week's work went.  

PARENTS:  PLEASE INITIAL THE READING CALENDAR BEFORE RETURNING IT ON SEPTEMBER 30TH.  HAVE YOUR CHILD READ IN THE MORNING ON THE 30TH, OR MARK AN X IN THE MORNING AND BE SURE YOUR CHILD READS THAT NIGHT.

GOOD FIT BOOKS

This has been, and will continue to be a focus during Library and classroom language arts times.  Here is a strategy that the kids have learned about and are using in order to determine if a book is a good fit or not.  

I pick a book.

P urpose.  Why do I want to read it?

I nterest.  Does the topic interest me?

C omprehend.  Do I understand what I'm reading?

K now.  I know almost all of the words.

To help with the KNOW part of the IPICK strategy, students use the 5 finger rule.  When they read a page from anywhere in the book they put up one finger for each word they come across that they don't know or can't read.  

4 or 5 fingers up at the end of the page = TOO CHALLENGING RIGHT NOW

2 or 3 fingers up at the end of the page = A GOOD FIT BOOK

0 or 1 fingers up at the end of the page = TOO EASY FOR READ TO SELF