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It takes a VILLAGE to raise a child.
The students are here at
school a bear 5 hours a day, not counting early out Wednesday's.
We all need to work together to give our children the education they
will need in their future, school alone can not do the job for their
future.
One answer is homework.
Homework is not meant to be
grueling, long, or cumbersome. It is meant to train students to be
responsible and be accountable about their work, just as adults are
responsible and accountable about their work. We are training for
the future.
Montessori education is structured in such a way as to
allow each student independent work times during the day. This
however, can only be allowed to those who are responsible to get their
work done during provided class time. Some students have lots of
distractions in their lives for whatever reason, and if they can not
concentrate or disturb others they are not allowed independence and are
given supervised work instructions.
If students are repeatedly not able to finish their
weekly work we need to conference to see the best way we can support
their effort. Please check weekly work which is sent home most
Friday's. If the work looks incomplete or needs correction please
help them by establishing a time where you can work with them to
increase their skill. At times they will bring work sheets which
need finishing. The following are general guidelines which will be
consistent throughout the year. Consistency helps the student form
good work habits and lets them feel good at accomplishing their goals on
a weekly basis.
Spelling - phonics and reading preparation
Daily News - 1 page written, corrected, and rewritten if
necessary on a topic of students choice. This is preparation for 6
Trait Writing assessment given quarterly
Handwriting - attention to details, practice with
spelling, sentence writing in all areas of the curriculum]
Math - considerable lessons are given using Montessori
manipulative but each piece of equipment requires some application to
abstraction. This work changes on a regular basis and will be sent
home if the student isn't able to complete the assignment.
Addition and Multiplication table memorization:
Many Montessori students have a good grasp of "skip counting" by the
time they reach first grade but memorization with no hesitation is often
another thing. In order for them to progress to abstract
multiplication and division they need to have committed both addition
and multiplication tables to memory. Typically, 1st graders learn
all of the addition tables to 12 and 2, 5, and 10's tables before going
on to second grade. These need constant reinforcement, please help
you student by reviewing them often. Quizzing them while driving
to school is a handy way to work this into their day.
Vocabulary - this work is done in conjunction with their
reading lessons and involves different skills each week. The words
are in classroom books so it is not easy to send home but should show up
in the Friday finished work,
Other topics are ongoing and the Montessori curriculum
has been aligned with district standards. If you have any
questions please let me know.
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