Q: What will the homework actually be?

A: It will vary based on the age of your child and the work of their classroom, some examples include:

Engagement in Reading

• Adults reading out loud and talking about it as a family
• Children reading out loud and talking about it as a family
• Listening to an audio book and talking about it as a family
• Playing a reading, spelling, or language game
• Simultaneous independent reading
• Visiting a library

Engagement in Mathematics

• Counting out loud together
• Skip counting together
• Counting objects together
• Playing a math, logic, or strategy game
• Cooking a recipe
• Looking for shapes or patterns in the world
• Sorting or organizing groups of objects

Family/School Connection Projects

• Collecting objects from home
• Interviewing family members about their experiences and ideas
• Documenting family stories, recipes, experiences
• Having a discussion on a specific topic
• Visiting a special place and reflecting on it

Q: How often will my child actually have homework?

A: It will depend on their grade band, as well as other factors including time of year, projects being worked on in class, and their learning needs. Generally:

Kindergarten - 2nd Grades

• Daily family engagement in reading or math
• 2-3 times a year for a family/school connection project

3rd and 4th Grades

• Daily family engagement in reading or math
• 4-6 times a year for a family/school connection project

5th Grade

• Daily family engagement in reading or math
• Monthly family/school connection projects

Q: Is the homework mandatory?

A: We know that life happens, and a happy, healthy, connected family is always in the best interest of children.

That being said, we believe that it is in the best interest of a child and family’s learning to consistently incorporate reading and mathematics activities into their daily life. There will not be accountability to the school for this, rather we strongly encourage families to develop routines and traditions that support these activities.

Family/school connection projects help to build a bridge for the child and their learning. Completing these will assure your child is prepared to future classroom experiences.

Individual support assignments are designed in response to student progress. In order to best support the child, priority should be placed on completing this work.

Q: How will I know what my has for child’s homework?

A: Awareness of classroom expectations and responsibilities is a skill we hope students will develop over time. To that end, you can expect that family engagement in reading or math is expected every night, additional homework will be shared:

Kindergarten - 2nd Grades

• Through a myGiddens post

3rd and 4th Grades

• Through a myGiddens post for family/school connection projects
• Individual support plans will be developed in collaboration with the family, the assignments that support these plans will travel in a folder with the student

5th Grade

• Students will utilize a planner to record projects and assignments in class. This will be available to families to review
• myGiddens may be used to give additional information about or context for a project
• Individual support plans will be developed in collaboration with the family, the assignments that support these plans will travel in a folder with the student

Q: What if my child has been identified by the school as needing additional academic support?

A: Your child’s classroom teacher, with the support of the Learning Specialist and the Associate Head of School will develop a program of support for them. This will likely include recommendations for daily independent practice and additional targeted support work 2-3 times a week.

Q: What if I want additional homework for my child?

A: There are LOTS of ways to extend your child’s (and family’s) learning at home! Please have a conversation with your child’s teacher if this is your desire, or see our resources page for some ideas.

Q: What if I have more questions?

A: You should always feel free to engage with us about your child’s and family’s experience at school, and homework is no exception! If you have questions about your child and their relationship to homework, please talk to their teacher.