Homework Directions - Detailed
Homework is to be done Monday through Thursday for at least five minutes per night. A little bit every day is a powerful study method. The homework is online on another website - Quizlet. I have made links directly to the material covered in class. There is no need to log in. I tried to make the homework user friendly. This is a work in progress. I will be adding material to the site throughout the year. I also may need to update, edit, change, or correct the material. Please bear with me, if your child notices the material has been changed. I have to input each word myself. I do think this process is worth it, mainly for the audio capabilities of Quizlet. If a student is absent for example, they can go to the homework section they missed and be taught by Quizlet.
I am suggesting the students do four things on Quizlet: Flashcards, Speller, Scatter, and Space Race. I have posted tutorials on each of these in the tab entitled "HW Directions." I am flexible on this, however. If a student gets more out of some than others, they can pick and choose which ones to do, even "test". Space Race might be too fast and advanced for some of the lower grade students. In this case, they might want to only use Flashcards, Speller, and Scatter, for example.
I suggest starting at the beginning of the flashcard sets (e.g. 301). This is mainly because I cover them in class in the order on the website. I would then continually do previous sets throughout the year. This review will help to prevent forgetting material, as well as be in line with the cumulative tests that I give. For example, students could do the 301 set until they know them all. Then, they can move on and do 301 and 302. Next, they could move on and do 301, 302, and 303 and so on. Once they get to the 303 set, they could go through 301 and 302 simply using Flashcards in 2-3 minutes and finish up the day doing 303 in Speller for example. I plan to have one diagnostic test at the beginning of each year, then three actual tests throughout the year. I try to give about four weeks notice via email for tests. Also, I give practice tests before the actual tests that will give students and parents a very good idea what the test will be like. Students will not lose any points for incorrect answers on the diagnostic test or the practice tests. This merely reveals to the student what they need to study.
The Spanish homework is not intended to interfere with core homework. I do require the homework at five minutes a night Monday - Thursday, but I leave it up to the parents to prioritize and make changes when necessary.
Finally, the online homework can be a great tool for 2nd graders to get a head start for their 3rd grade year. This is because 3rd grade is when I first start the classes off with homework and tests. It is also very useful to study next years material during the summers to get ahead and off to a great start each year. These last two suggestions are completely optional.
Thank you,
Mr. Culver
I am suggesting the students do four things on Quizlet: Flashcards, Speller, Scatter, and Space Race. I have posted tutorials on each of these in the tab entitled "HW Directions." I am flexible on this, however. If a student gets more out of some than others, they can pick and choose which ones to do, even "test". Space Race might be too fast and advanced for some of the lower grade students. In this case, they might want to only use Flashcards, Speller, and Scatter, for example.
I suggest starting at the beginning of the flashcard sets (e.g. 301). This is mainly because I cover them in class in the order on the website. I would then continually do previous sets throughout the year. This review will help to prevent forgetting material, as well as be in line with the cumulative tests that I give. For example, students could do the 301 set until they know them all. Then, they can move on and do 301 and 302. Next, they could move on and do 301, 302, and 303 and so on. Once they get to the 303 set, they could go through 301 and 302 simply using Flashcards in 2-3 minutes and finish up the day doing 303 in Speller for example. I plan to have one diagnostic test at the beginning of each year, then three actual tests throughout the year. I try to give about four weeks notice via email for tests. Also, I give practice tests before the actual tests that will give students and parents a very good idea what the test will be like. Students will not lose any points for incorrect answers on the diagnostic test or the practice tests. This merely reveals to the student what they need to study.
The Spanish homework is not intended to interfere with core homework. I do require the homework at five minutes a night Monday - Thursday, but I leave it up to the parents to prioritize and make changes when necessary.
Finally, the online homework can be a great tool for 2nd graders to get a head start for their 3rd grade year. This is because 3rd grade is when I first start the classes off with homework and tests. It is also very useful to study next years material during the summers to get ahead and off to a great start each year. These last two suggestions are completely optional.
Thank you,
Mr. Culver
