SURVIVING HOMEWORK
Arty Dorman, Program Manager
Family & Community Involvement Office
Saint Paul Public Schools
360 Colborne
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-767-8109
arty.dorman@spps.org

Resources
- The Battle Over Homework, by Harris Cooper, Second Edition c. 2001
- Ending the Homework Hassle, by John Rosemond, c. 1990
- How to Do Homework Without Throwing Up, by Trevor Romain, 1997
- How to Help Your Child With Homework: Every Caring Parent’s Guide to Encouraging Good Study Habits and Ending the Homework Wars, by Marguerite C. Radencich and Jeann Shay Schumm, c. 1997
- Kids On Task, by Teri Graham, c. 2001, www.kidsontask.com, or write Kids on Task, P.O. Box 15401, Minneapolis, MN 55415
- The Parents Homework Dictionary, by Dan J. McLaughlin, Second Edition, c. 1998 (for order information, call 619-214-4861, fax 619-513-0355 or e-mail danmcl10@aol.com
- The School Book, by Mary Susan Miller, c. 1991
- The School Savvy Parent, by Rosemarie Clark, Donna Hawkins and Beth Vachon, c. 1999

Purposes of Homework

- Practice

- Preparation

- Participation

- Parent-school communication

- Parent- student interaction

- Peer interaction

- Practical applications

- Personalized learning

- Promote organizational and study habits

- Partnership with community resources

Saint Paul Public Schools Homework Policy Guidelines

Kindergarten 15 minutes per day 1 hour & 15 minutes per week

1st –3rd grades 30 minutes per day 2 hours & 30 minutes per week

4th – 6th grades 45 minutes per day 3 hours & 45 minutes per week

7th – 8th grades 90 minutes per day 7 hours & 30 minutes per week

9th – 12th grades 135 minute per day 11 hours & 15 minutes per week

Is there always homework? YES.

If there is not assigned homework, select from the following suggestions:

- Assigned work

- Read –Remember the twenty-five books goal

- Writing a letter or keeping a journal

- Observing and note taking/drawing

- Skill practice (spelling, math facts, penmanship)

- Art or music activities

- Cook, following a recipe

Or come up with your own ideas. It can be something that is fun … in fact, the more fun the better… as long as there is a connection to the learning that is going on in your child’s classroom.