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Grade 3 Homework Expectations 2015-2016

Dear Parents,

September, 2015

In keeping with our philosophy of individualized, differentiated and inclusive learning,


and along with the GWA Elementary Homework Guidelines, the Grade 3 teachers will be
offering the following homework. Students will complete tasks with an element of
choice so that students and their families can manage their at-home time effectively.
Homework assignments are consistent across the grade level but there will be plenty of
opportunity for students to choose their own activities and challenge themselves each
week.
The expectation in Grade 3 is 20-30 minutes 4 days per week, and this will be on top of
Reading.
We value a balanced life for our students and dont want them spending all evening
doing school work. Homework will be assigned on SUNDAY and collected on
THURSDAY, allowing families the flexibility to choose how to schedule homework time
over the week. Please help your child develop a homework routine and support them in
their home learning in a way that best suits your family.
For the most part, activities will be ones that the students are able to complete
independently. We dont want students (and parents!) frustrated by having homework
they do not understand. However, often the Inquiry / PYP Attitudes / Arts homework
will include experiences for students to have with you and other family members.
There are a number of ACTIVITIES for students to choose from if they work through the
homework tasks quickly or just want more to do! The Blooms Taxonomy sheet provided
allows for plenty of extra choice!
Please read through our GWA Elementary Homework Guidelines so you are familiar
with our philosophy on home learning.

Sincerely,
Grade 3 Team

GWA HOMEWORK GUIDELINES


A number of GWA-Dubai Elementary teachers have been involved in professional
discussions and inquiry into homework in elementary schools. Based on resources such
as The Homework Myth by Alfie Kohn (2006) and a recent study released by the
Center for Longitudinal Studies (UK), we found the following:

There is no positive correlation between homework and achievement for students


before middle school.

Consistent reading for pleasure is directly linked to higher test scores.

Children who read for pleasure are likely to perform better in school than their
peers.

As a consequence of the research and discussions into what is good for students,
each grade level team from KG2 Grade 5 has collaboratively developed a set of
essential agreements for how homework will look across the grade level. The
common threads among all grade-level agreements are that:

Homework will always emphasise the importance of reading daily.

Homework should not be completed at the expense of students leading a healthy,


balanced life which should include relaxation, exercise, time with family and PLAY.

Any additional homework should involve an element of student choice to allow


children and their families to manage their at-home time effectively.

Some level of feedback should be provided on all homework tasks as a way of


helping each student develop their skills.

Suggested Grade Level Time Allotment for Homework

PreK KG2

Learning extensions on occasion

Grade 1

10-20 minutes 3 days per week

Grade 2

10-20 minutes 4 days per week

Grade 3

20-30 minutes 4 days per week

Grade 4

30-40 minutes 4 days per week

Grade 5

40-60 minutes 4 days per week

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