Homework is important to student learning at Discovery Canyon Middle School. The purpose of this homework policy is to guide teachers, parents and students in ensuring that homework is meaningful and supports the learning experience for all students; as such, homework will be a portion of a student’s overall grade.
Definition
Homework is any activity or assignment directed by the teacher to be performed outside the classroom that may include practicing skills learned in class. The purpose of homework is for students to practice, reinforce, elaborate, prepare, and extend understanding.
Rules for Homework
Activities or assignments that students can complete independently
Carefully constructed as to be completed within a reasonable time allotment, with minimal adult help
Connected to grade level or subject matter curriculum
Connected to class instruction. Engaging, purposeful and relevant
Consideration shall be given to quality over quantity
Teacher Guidelines
Review, discuss, and return, if collected, homework in a timely manner
Whenever possible, communicate and coordinate assignments so that students do not receive an overload of homework.
Explain homework assignments to the students prior to the assignment. Teachers shall communicate homework assignments in at least one of the following ways: send a packet home, write assignment on the board, require students to record it, and/or make available online.
Communicate with parents to inform them about homework expectations, policies, and procedures.
Communicate the extent to which homework influences the student’s overall grades.
Communicate with parents at the earliest possible opportunity once the student has demonstrated consistent inability to complete homework.
Student Guidelines
Complete homework as assigned.
Record homework in planner when assigned in class by the teacher.
Seek clarification from teachers when unclear about homework.
Use class time provided for completing classwork and/or starting homework.
Seek assistance from teachers when demonstrating an inability to complete homework.
Uses self-management skills to utilize class time productively and efficiently.
Scheduling Time and Parameters
Middle school homework may be given Monday through Friday. Assignments in academic classes shall be designed so that the typical student can complete all homework, including time for studying and preparing for exams, in the average minutes shown below. There may be times when a student does not finish classwork, at which point the expectation is for the student to complete the work at home; such work is not included in the daily maximum. However, breaks and weekends are great times for students to catch up on late or missing work, study, or do recreational reading.
Grade 6 – 30 academic minutes daily maximum
Grade 7 – 30 academic minutes daily maximum
Grade 8 – 30 academic minutes daily maximum
Discovery times are not included in the time parameters shown.
Parents should know there may be nights where the students have no homework, but recreational reading is always encouraged.
For an accelerated course designed to be equivalent to a course at a more advanced grade level, students should expect homework for that class to be consistent with a time expectation for the higher grade level. (This is to include students enrolled in high school classes.)
Homework Assistance
It is recommended that students seeking assistance with homework speak and work directly with their teachers as they will be able to recommend strategies improving success on homework. Students should speak directly with teachers to determine which teachers host regular tutoring hours or to arrange individual tutoring sessions. In addition, students may get assistance on homework through the programs or strategies listed.
Record homework in the same location each day. Use your planner, phone, or other means of organization.
Do homework the day it is assigned
Ask clarifying questions to be sure the expectations on your assignments are clear.
Know, record and monitor due dates.
Have a quiet space with basic materials for homework completion.
Make homework part of your daily after school routine.
Take a break when tired; then resume work.
When you have questions about the homework, place a note next to it and ask the teacher the next day.
Respect that appropriate rest and physical activity are important for one’s overall well-being.
Use online resources through Schoology, Google classroom etc. for class materials.
After School Homework (ASH)
Monday – Friday, 3:15 – 4:45
Library
Math After School Help (MASH)
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15 – 4:45
TBD (wherever announced)
Individual Teacher Help
Monday- Friday, Before School, After School, Lunch Time
Check with individual teachers
Sharing of Concerns
Teachers and parents shall communicate with each other at the earliest possible opportunity once the student has demonstrated consistent inability to complete homework and discuss possible solutions.
Children who demonstrate quality, focused effort, and spend sufficient time attempting to complete homework should be stopped when a parent observes that continuing is detrimental to the child’s well-being. In such cases, parents should note the amount of time spent on the assignment and sign the paper.
If a child is consistently unable to complete assigned work, the parent should contact the teacher first for support and accommodations as necessary. Teachers should also contact parents if a child consistently is unable to complete the assigned work.
Grade Level Daily Assignment and Homework Guidelines
6th Grade:
Daily work assignments are considered late if submitted after the teacher’s established due date.
The highest grade a student may earn on a late daily work assignment is a 90%.
Daily work received after the end of the unit will not be accepted.
7th Grade:
Daily work assignments are considered late if submitted after the teacher’s established due date.
The highest grade a student may earn on a late daily work assignment is an 90%.
Daily work received after the end of the unit will not be accepted.
8th Grade:
Daily work assignments are considered late if submitted after the teacher’s established due date.
The highest grade a student may earn on a late daily work assignment is an 85%.
Daily work received after the end of the unit will not be accepted.