There is a new trend in education to discount the value of homework and some schools are going as far as eliminating homework altogether. For over 40 years Del Mar Pines School has assigned homework to our elementary school students and we strongly believe that an appropriate amount of homework is an effective strategy to reinforce class lessons and learn time management skills.
Well-planned homework gives students time to practice class lessons and it lets parents review what their child is learning. Del Mar Pines School students in first through sixth grades will generally have homework assignments Monday through Thursday night. There can be some weekend homework in upper grade classes of fourth through - sixth grade, but it is not a weekly practice.
The time required to complete homework varies between students, so we recommend a range by grade level. This range is consistent with the “10 Minute Rule” that came from the evaluation of many research studies on homework, originally conducted by Harris Cooper of Duke University in the 1980s.This strategy assigns 10 minutes of homework in first grade and progressively adds 10 minutes per grade level. Listed below are the expected homework times by grade level at Del Mar Pines School.
Expected Homework Times
- First grade 10-15 minutes
- Second grade 20-30 minutes
- Third grade 30-40 minutes
- Fourth grade 40-50 minutes
- Fifth grade 50-60 minutes
- Sixth grade 60-75 minutes
Advantages of Homework
Homework assignment sheets or books are brought home each night to reinforce learning from the day's lessons. These sheets are provided to inform parents of the assignment(s) and to keep teachers aware of the amount of time the student spends on his/her homework and if the student needs additional assistance with a specific concept or work strategy. In addition to reinforcing class learning, homework assignments teaches our students to:
- work independently,
- manage their time, and
- be organized
We recommend the following tips to develop good study habits.
- Have consistent times set aside for homework and skill practice.
- Pick a quiet, distraction-free study environment.
- Parents or caregivers should be available to look over assignments and clarify questions if needed.
At Del Mar Pines School, homework is never assigned to punish children but to reinforce what is being taught in class and develop strong study skills for future academic success.