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Homework Policies
We are WAY TOO CUTE for Homework!
I just know that you are wondering if Ms. Gillman gives out homework! Let me end the suspense with a big, fat... YES! I believe that homework serves a myriad of purposes:
* It allows students additional practice with math, spelling, reading and writing skills. Nightly reading is the only way to build reading fluency! Math facts must be memorized nightly! They are foundational for all later math concepts!
* Homework teaches children to budget their time which is an incredible life skill.
* Homework allows parents a chance to observe their child while working and to make any interventions which will allow the child to be successful.
* Homework reminds your student that there are 3 significant parties invested in his or her education: the student, the parents and the teacher. Each of us has a valuable stake in your child's understanding of the grade level standardized curriculum!
Homework Packets
* I am fully aware of the fact that the other two 3rd grades receive nightly homework. Having 3 former 3rd graders of my own, I know that stomach wrenching feeling when you pull into the driveway at 8:15 p.m. after a brutal soccer practice and your child sweetly says..."Mom, did I tell you that I have four pages of homework tonight?"
*In Room 10, we have a weekly homework packet. It comes home on Thursday afternoon and is due in its completed form on the following Thursday morning. I collect the packets as the children arrive. The door monitor will be trained to ignore any parents frantically tapping on the window, waving a homework packet with puppy dog eyes and a pitiful pout! The children are the 3rd graders and they are responsible to get their work back and forth to and from school and home.
*The homework packet is designed to be spread throughout the week. You will notice that the amount of work in the packets will increase as the months pass by. Though some children may be bragging about finishing the packet in two days....that won't last for long!
*All of the current research on children's fluency shows that successful readers are reading 10 minutes per year of school. 3rd graders, therefore, should be reading 30 minutes per night every day of the week. Please pay close attention to your child as she/he reads aloud each night. There is a melody to reading that only comes when a child has an opportunity to hear quality reading. A significant element in the development of "True" fluency is called Prosody! Prosody is the combination of how accurately your child reads, the expression he or she uses, his or her ability to understand what the passage says as well as the reading rate or Words Per Minute! Reading "quickly" does not mean a child understands the passage. Please try to encourage accurate reading that is flavored with the nuances of conversation, humor, pathos and emotion. Never give up on reading stories aloud to your child! That is the modeling that will bring huge growth in your child's love of reading. Expression, pacing, drama and joy are what make a strong reader a delightful person to listen to.
Important Homework Packet Facts:
*Homework comes home on Thursday afternoon.
*It must be corrected and signed by a parent before it is
returned. Sloppy or careless work will not be accepted!
*Every part of the assignment must be completed for a sticker!
*Spelling sentences must begin with a variety of words.
*All writing must be neatly done and spelling checked!
*Math problems must show regrouping. Please show your work!
*Each dictation sentence is copied carefully TWO times!
*If you have any questions please email me at:
 mgillman@sanjuan.edu
Gillman's Gazette
San Juan Unified School District
1301 Mc Claren Dr.
Carmichael, CA 95608
575-2323
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