Click here to see a Power Point Presentation about our homework policies here at Alexander Hamilton School.

Para espanol click aqui.

Join the Homework Team!

Help your child hit a Home Run when it comes to homework!

“Experiences that extend learning for the benefit of the child’s life.”

At Alexander Hamilton we have been working to review and study our policies and practices regarding homework. 

Homework assigned is intended to serve one or more of the following purposes of learning:

ü      Connect to and enhance life skills

ü      Build upon and extend background knowledge

ü      Support students in becoming life long learners

Any baseball player knows it takes practice to hit one out of the park!

Homework Assignments at Alexander Hamilton are designed with the following intentions in mind:

• They are designed so that the student can complete the work with minimal parental assistance.

• The homework reflects and has a clear connection to what is being taught in the classroom.

• The teacher considers the diverse learning needs of each student.

• Feedback will be provided in a timely manner.

• Results will be used to enhance instruction.

• The homework may be completed within the Morris School District suggested time frames.

Grades 3-4          30-35 minutes

Grade 5                40-45 minutes

Because this is a Team effort, the teacher, student and parents/caregivers all have a valuable role.

The teacher (Coach) will:

• assign homework that reflects what is being taught in class so the student will be able to succeed
• only give assignments which will develop a student’s skills, knowledge, or critical thinking
• assign homework that supports lifelong learning
• design assignments with a student’s individual needs in mind
• review assignments with the students and provide timely feedback

The student (Player) will:

• record and complete homework assignments on time
• gather and return all materials needed to complete homework
• ask for help when he/she needs it from parents/guardians, neighbors, teachers, and friends
• put forth his/her best effort in completing assignments
• if absent, find out what has been missed and what should be done to catch up in class

The parent/caregiver (Fans) will:

• help the child understand the family’s commitment to learning
• design a special time and place for homework completion
• help child or ask for teacher assistance when necessary
• create a routine to ensure that homework gets returned to school each day

And why did we assign that homework?

While the primary learning of any school subject takes place within the school environment, the purpose of homework is to enhance the students’ learning, and to help them see how what they do in school connects directly to their experiences in the world beyond the classroom.

Ø      Independent reading and writing help students develop a love of language.

Ø      Reading is the core of every subject area and enhances quality of life.

Ø      Math extension and reinforcement activities enhance life skills and other content areas.

Ø      Spelling and vocabulary word studies increase comprehension and fluency in reading, enhance student writing, and strengthen expressive language.

Ø      Social studies and science homework builds connections and background knowledge.

Examples of homework include:

q       Independent reading

q       Journal writing, writing prompts, essays, poems

q       Spelling/vocabulary

q       Skill review and reinforcement

q       Extension of day’s lesson

q       Completing unfinished work

q       Remediation

  Homework Resources/Links

q       Target Homework Assignments to Maximize Learning by Ray Heitzman, Ph.D., NJEA Review, January 2007 http://www.njea.org/pdfs/Review_Jan07.pdf

q       Down With Homework by Alfie Kohn, Instructor, September 2006 http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=7376

Acknowledgements:

Thank you to all of the parents, students, and staff members who have contributed thoughtfully to our homework investigations through research, participation in discussions, and surveys. Special thanks to the Alexander Hamilton School Leadership Team, particularly Andrew Williams and Tom Schranck for countless hours spent leading and coordinating this effort. Thank you to the Morris Educational Foundation for providing financial support to the Alexander Hamilton Leadership Team in the form of consulting and facilitation services from Susan Mazza and Rich Largman of Clarus Consulting Group LLC. Thank you to Susan and Rich for your advice and guidance.

We would appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Please email us at

 josephine.noone@msdk12.net