The purpose of homework is to extend and reinforce learning and to develop self-discipline, personal responsibility and independent thinking. To this end, our teachers try to make all assignments purposeful and related to class activities, as well as to individual children’s interest, needs and abilities. Parents can offer assistance in the following ways:
¨ Check homework daily for completeness, accuracy and neatness.
¨ Confer with the teacher if your child is unclear about assignments.
¨ Listen to your child and answer questions.
¨ Praise efforts and hard work.
¨ Encourage children to spend time each evening reading or looking at books.
The following are the P.S. 317 grade-by-grade Homework Guidelines:
| Grade | Reading | Written | Total |
| Kindergarten | Parents and children spend time
together with books – 10-15 minutes |
None | 10-15 minutes |
| First | 10-15 minutes | 10 minutes | 20-25 minutes |
| Second | 15-20 minutes | 10-15 minutes | 25-35 minutes |
| Third | 15-20 minutes | 20-25 minutes | 35-45 minutes |
| Fourth | 20-30 minutes | 25-35 minutes | 45-60 minutes |
| Fifth | 25-30 minutes | 35-40 minutes | 60-70 minutes |
If it is taking your child significantly longer than this to do homework, please consult with the teacher. Children who want additional homework can be encouraged to read or write more. Need help before you can reach the teacher? Call Dial-A-Teacher at (212) 777-3380. This United Federation of Teachers sponsored helpline, staffed by highly skilled teachers, offers help in all subjects in 8 languages. They don’t give answers – just enough coaching to let children complete assignments on their own, or help parents get what’s going on in math. Mon. and Fri. 4 – 7 p.m.
HOMEWORK FOLDERS
All students have a RED plastic homework folder provided by the school that goes home with them every night and returns to school with them every morning. Generally, the right side is for current homework and the left is for important notices for families. The folder should travel back and forth every day because even when homework is not assigned, there may be important notices for families, or you may need to return notes or permission slips to teachers.
Waterside Children's Studio School 