2G Homework starts tomorrow!
As we do things a little differently in 2G, just be aware... homework might be different from what you imagine.
WEEK 1
Relax.
Homework will get off to a bumpy start. That's OK and to be expected!
Homework never has to be "perfect."
We can talk more about homework on Tuesday during the Parent Orientation Zoom.
NO "PACKETS"
In 2G there are no packets.
There are no "packets to be completed"
Anything stapled together is more than likely NOT a packet.
We feel packets are unfair.
Students that have already mastered what's in the packet, complete the packet in 14 nanoseconds.
Students who haven't mastered what's in the packer — yet — might spend hours on it.
Hence: packets aren't fair.
Also: a packet that some students can "do in the car ride home" means that homework never becomes a habit.
MAKING HOMEWORK FAIR TO ALL STUDENTS
Concept 1: the 2G normal distribution curve
The normal distribution curve of 2G knowledge / competencies / etc. is broad.
Student A is still learning to match letters with sounds? NORMAL in 2G!
Student B has read the first three Harry Potter books? NORMAL in 2G!
Concept 2: you cannot predict the future from 2G academic performance
Revisiting students A and B above...
By 4G or 6G or high school or college, Student B may be out-performing Student A.
Student A's and student B's academic performance in 2G bears almost no correlation with future academic performance.
So you can relax: your student is exactly where s/he should be right now.
Concept 3: Working your "learning edge"
If each students works her/his "learning edge," then ALL students will be working equally "hard" for homework
Your student will be working at what s/he needs to be working on, which may or may not be exactly the same thing another student is working on.
In our IXL.com math "skill practice"—
Student C might be working Level C / Section A (counting and number patterns) / A.2
Student D might be working Level C / Section A (counting and number patterns) / A.17
Student E might be working Level D / Section A (counting and number patterns ) / A.1
Notice: everyone is working the same topic — "Counting & Number Patterns" — but each student may be at a different place in the progression
Notice: Students C, D and E will all be working equally hard at their "learning edges."
Concept 4: Work time, not "finishing something"
With 2G homework, students work each subject for a set period of time.When the timer goes off, they're done!
They DO NOT have to have finished a packet or a level or a section.
If they worked (seriously) for the set period of time, they're done!
Hence, Student C who is still mastering basic "counting and number patterns" will be working hard for a set period of time, at her/his "learning edge."
Students D and E will also be working hard:
Level C / A.17 is harder than Level C / A.2Level D / A.1 is harder than Level C / A.17
Concept 5: Homework 20 — 20 — 10 — 10
We refer to homework in 2G as "Homework 20-20-10-10"
20 minutes of Math
20 minutes of Writing
10 minutes of Reading
10 minutes of independent play (no screens, no organized activities, no parent involvement or direction)
Students work each subject for the set amount of time — and we do recommend a highly-visible timer to help students monitor "how much time is left"
When the timer goes off after the set period of time, wherever that student has reached is exactly where s/he should be! S/he's done!
Note: please include "getting ready" and "setting up" as part of the 20/20/10/10 time periods.
Concept 6: Homework can be satisfying, homework will become habit
We have homework Mondays through Thursdays.
We never have homework on Friday, over the weekend, over holidays, or over breaks.
Most 2G students find the predictability and ritual of homework satisfying, if not fun.
Most 2G parents enjoy watching their student become remarkably independent, remarkably quickly with Homework 20-20-10-10.
MATH (20 minutes)
Math is typically 20 minutes of IXL.com math
Students also use this to practice skills in class, so they should know how to sign on.
They will be continuing from where they left off earlier in the day (or the day before).
Username: firstnameHNS253 — first name + HNS + 253 no spaces — e.g. bobhns253, sallyhns253
Password: students' birthdates (three 2-digit numbers) — e.g., for a child born February 3rd, 2014, her/his password would be 020314
Don't forget that 1, 2, 3, 4... 9 will be 0,02,03, 04... 09.
WRITING (20 minutes)
Typically, Monday and Tuesday writing homework will be handwriting.
This is to build hand strength and comfort with "writing for 20 minutes"
You may hear a lot of complaints in the beginning; this will fall away as hand strength improves.
Wednesday and Thursday writing homework will typically involve some sort of "free writing"
Be patient: it takes a while before young students can "sit down and immediately start writing"!
You will find your student's writing homework in her/his clear, colorful homework folder
READING (10 minutes)
You will find your student's reading homework in her/his clear, colorful homework folder
INDEPENDENT PLAY (10 minutes)
This is your 10 minutes of "me time"! : )
Students are to be "100% independent" for 10 minutes
No screens, no organized activities (soccer, music practice), no adult involvement.
2G students: play with blocks, draw, read or look at picture books, play in the garden (with your permission), play with a pet or sibling, play with Legos, etc.
Many past 2G parents have loved this 10 minutes of 100% independent play.
First and foremost, it give parents a wee breather.
Second, once students "get" the joys of independent play, they do it more! (More "me time" for you!)
TAKE HOMEWORK ON THE ROAD
If you end of traveling when we HNS is in session, 2G homework is very portable:
Math (20 min) — IXL.com is accessible through laptops, tablets, smartphones, car computer screens!
Writing (20 min) — in a writing journal (or on available paper): keep a journal of your travels
Reading (10 min) — take a book or two with you, or find one during your travels, and read
Independent play (10 min) — yes, it can be done on holiday! ("Go play with your cousins!")
RELAX!
2G homework will not roll out without a hitch week 1!
2G homework need never be "perfectly executed each and every evening"
The goals are—
to have homework be expected — every evening Monday through Thursday
for students to not "fight" homework (in 2G and forever more)
for homework to be fair to all students, wherever they may be academically
to develop academic independence
for students to experience deep satisfaction watching their reading, writing and math competencies grow
If it takes a while for your student to settle into the 20-20-10-10 idea and rhythm, that's fine.
So if you ever get a meltdown, you might want to "call it a night" — that's always OK with us!
If academics — in the classroom and with homework — is satisfying, even joyful, students will dive in.
When academics becomes onerous, burdensome, certain failure — that's when we lose students!
BLAME IT ON DR. CAT
Over the years, many 2G parents have found it helpful to say, "Well, I wish you didn't have to do X or Y, but Dr. Cat says we must."
This is your get Out of Jail Free card!
Feel free to blame me for...
20 minutes of Math and not 10 minutes10 minutes of "go away and do something by yourself!"the whole nasty business of homework!
the fact "I could do 1G homework in 4 minutes — this is going to take me an hour!!!!!"the fact my friends don't have ANY homework!
"I can't do this is the car!""I can't do this at breakfast"
Seriously.
It works.
"I wish you didn't have to do this but, Dr. Cat says we must. Me too."
Happy to take the blame!