Homework Philosophy & Online Topic Guide

Homework Planner

Link to Google Doc: Weekly Homework Plan

Homework Philosophy

Purposeful Homework

The Accord School believes that homework should be implemented purposefully. We do not assign homework “for the sake of assigning homework.” At The Accord School, every assignment serves one or more of the following purposes:

  • Skill reinforcement

  • Preview of new material

  • Executive functioning skill building

    • Organization and transport of materials

    • Time management practice

    • Generalizing content from classroom to home setting

  • Test preparation

  • Project Management Student-driven enrichment

A Developmental Approach

The Accord School values research and takes a developmental approach to homework. As research shows, students (especially in grades 7-12) can benefit from homework with greater retention and understanding of material. But there is a limit to how much students can benefit and therefore, the amount of time students spend on homework can not be excessive (Cooper, 2006).  As students progress through our program, they will be gradually given more comprehensive assignments, as we prepare them for their next educational placement.

While we work with every student as an individual, families can expect the following progression:

5th and 6th grade 

Since many students enter The Accord School after experiencing a high volume of homework in elementary school, 5th and 6th grade students often need a year to re-establish their relationship with homework. 

In 5th and 6th grade, homework assignments are kept purposefully simple, and are given with executive functioning skill development as the primary goal. 5th and 6th graders are expected to:

  • Introduction of agenda use

  • Read nightly for enjoyment, but are not asked to keep a reading log

  • Regular vocabulary homework as assigned

  • Complete Spanish practice as assigned

Because we value each student as an individual, we recognize that for some students, too little homework can be just as difficult as too much homework is for others. Skill building assignments in English and math are made available for use at teacher, student, and family discretion. 

7th grade

In 7th grade, we are concerned with helping students deepen academic skills, accountability, confidence, and establish long-term routines. 

In 7th grade, most students can expect: 

  • Support of agenda use

  • Reading/writing preview and/or practice - 2x/week

  • Math preview and/or practice- 2x/week

  • Spanish preview and/or practice- 1x/week

  • In addition to being content driven, Science and Social Studies are used as opportunities to build study and executive functioning skills. Homework in these classes is limited to studying for quizzes and tests 

As with 5th and 6th grade, additional skill building assignments in English and math are made available for use at the discretion of the teacher, student, and family. 

8th (and 9th grade)

As students prepare to leave The Accord School for high school, we increase academic independence and homework expectations. In their final year at Accord, students can expect: 

  • Training and support with their choice of agenda and organization routine

  • Nightly reading/writing preview and/or practice

  • Nightly math preview and/or practice

  • Spanish preview and/or practice- 2x/week 

  • Science and Social Studies test preparation and long term projects as assigned

An Appreciation for Personal and Family Time

The Accord School believes in the value of devoting time to recreation, personal interests, and family.

  • The Accord School does not assign routine homework on weekends, and does not give tests on Mondays. 

  • We believe that students need downtime to regroup and spend time with their families.

  • As in the adult world, weekends and vacations are a break from routine, and can serve as time to catch up on missed work or long term projects.

Homework is a Skill

Because no student is intuitively wired for homework success, each Accord School student has purposeful time to develop these skills built into their weekly schedule:

  • Academic Support: A lesson based class covering executive functioning topics- 1x/week

  • Study Hall: Time to work on homework, study for tests, and work on projects, with access to an Accord School teacher

As with any skill, homework success is a shared responsibility: 

Students

  • Make time for their homework

  • Use an agenda to keep track of assignments

  • Understand that their success is their responsibility

Teachers

  • Focus on effective and consistent use of student agenda use and instruction

  • Post and update homework assignments on a Google Doc accessible through the school website

  • Email families if students miss more than two days of homework

  • Create study guides that look like the test to decrease test anxiety

  • Work with families to Individualize amount and complexity of homework

Families

  • Establish a homework zone within the home

  • Provide time in the evening for students to accomplish homework

  • Communicate with teachers about student progress and concerns

Homework Planner & Online Topic Guide

Link to Google Doc: Weekly Homework and Conversation Topics