Homework in Kindergarten
Dear Kinder Families,
As educational theories evolve, it’s our responsibility as quality educators to evaluate our own perspectives and develop philosophies on these trends that are in the best interests of our students. We are sure you’ve heard much debate about homework, and the kindergarten team at Chippewa has been discussing the pros and cons of assigning homework at this level .
We realize that families are very busy and finding the time to fit in homework can be daunting. Kinders and parents have long days of paying attention, accomplishing tasks, and learning, so to do more at night can be overwhelming for parents and children. If children struggle with the homework routine, battles ensue that can harm the parent-child relationship. However, we also recognize that some parents like homework so their child can practice academic skills and keep busy in a productive manner. Additionally, some kinders like to do homework, as they’ve heard all about it from older siblings, neighbors, etc… Lastly, as teachers, we also know that some children NEED more skills practice at home while others do not, and that school breaks cause children to lose knowledge. Of course, there is also the fact that homework is likely a routine that will continue throughout a student’s formal education. Keeping all these perspectives about homework in mind, we’ve decided to alter what we have done in the past for kindergarten.
Attached you will find our traditional alphabet handwriting practice packet and in your child’s backpack will be a Ready Math Practice and Problem Solving workbook. We want you to view these items as “Work Resources.” It is NOT homework. It will NOT be returned to school. As “Work Resources” it is your prerogative, as a parent, to have your child do the work or not. We are NOT requiring completion of the alphabet handwriting practice or math workbook. That being said, for those of you who like structure, there is a calendar for the alphabet practice that follows the sequence in which we teach the letter handwriting formally. Doing work with your child at home, whether with these resources or others, provides you with insight as to how your child may be performing academically. If you choose not to have your child complete these resources during the school year, another suggestion is to save the resources for school breaks, particularly summer vacation.
Please bear in mind that we are trying to do what is in the best interest of the students and therefore we may find that we want to adapt or change this practice. If you have any questions or have productive comments to help as we transition our way of viewing and assigning homework, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.
In the meantime, PLEASE enjoy the release of no required homework. Play boardgames with your child, read extra books, go on excursions to the apple orchard and museums, carve a pumpkin, jump in a pile of leaves, enjoy your child as a child and remember how to be one yourself! The time really does fly by and before you know it, your child will be a teen leading his/her own life.
Happy Parenting :-)
Chippewa Kindergarten Teachers
As educational theories evolve, it’s our responsibility as quality educators to evaluate our own perspectives and develop philosophies on these trends that are in the best interests of our students. We are sure you’ve heard much debate about homework, and the kindergarten team at Chippewa has been discussing the pros and cons of assigning homework at this level .
We realize that families are very busy and finding the time to fit in homework can be daunting. Kinders and parents have long days of paying attention, accomplishing tasks, and learning, so to do more at night can be overwhelming for parents and children. If children struggle with the homework routine, battles ensue that can harm the parent-child relationship. However, we also recognize that some parents like homework so their child can practice academic skills and keep busy in a productive manner. Additionally, some kinders like to do homework, as they’ve heard all about it from older siblings, neighbors, etc… Lastly, as teachers, we also know that some children NEED more skills practice at home while others do not, and that school breaks cause children to lose knowledge. Of course, there is also the fact that homework is likely a routine that will continue throughout a student’s formal education. Keeping all these perspectives about homework in mind, we’ve decided to alter what we have done in the past for kindergarten.
Attached you will find our traditional alphabet handwriting practice packet and in your child’s backpack will be a Ready Math Practice and Problem Solving workbook. We want you to view these items as “Work Resources.” It is NOT homework. It will NOT be returned to school. As “Work Resources” it is your prerogative, as a parent, to have your child do the work or not. We are NOT requiring completion of the alphabet handwriting practice or math workbook. That being said, for those of you who like structure, there is a calendar for the alphabet practice that follows the sequence in which we teach the letter handwriting formally. Doing work with your child at home, whether with these resources or others, provides you with insight as to how your child may be performing academically. If you choose not to have your child complete these resources during the school year, another suggestion is to save the resources for school breaks, particularly summer vacation.
Please bear in mind that we are trying to do what is in the best interest of the students and therefore we may find that we want to adapt or change this practice. If you have any questions or have productive comments to help as we transition our way of viewing and assigning homework, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher.
In the meantime, PLEASE enjoy the release of no required homework. Play boardgames with your child, read extra books, go on excursions to the apple orchard and museums, carve a pumpkin, jump in a pile of leaves, enjoy your child as a child and remember how to be one yourself! The time really does fly by and before you know it, your child will be a teen leading his/her own life.
Happy Parenting :-)
Chippewa Kindergarten Teachers