Homework: Down Syndrome Awareness Month (11)

As the years have passed from one grade to the next, the homework that Colin has had to complete has varied. For the first two years of Kindergarten, the homework mostly consisted of the practice of sight words as well as some kind of Math task. Usually, the Math task was a skill set that needed to be practiced. Last year in first grade, the nightly homework continued to include the memorization of sight words, practice in Math skills, and a decoding book to read however, by mid-year, homework also came in a variety of modalities. Colin's teachers would send home a lot fun activities for us to use to practice these skills that didn't necessarily require him to write. These activities worked really well for us each night especially because by the end of the day, Colin would be exhausted and homework would sometimes be challenging for us to complete.

Now that Colin is in second grade and he has continued to mature, I am finding that homework is going even better than it has in the past. This year also brought the addition of agenda books and as a teacher, this really excited me because I love that even at this young age it is teaching responsibility. Each night, we use the agenda book as a checklist and it helps him to see what he has accomplished and what he still has yet to complete. On average, it takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete the homework depending on the tasks that need to be done. Colin's homework is generally the same as the rest of the class but some of the assignments are shortened.

His homework usually consists of the following:

- Spelling (each night is a different task) - rewrite list 2 times, use spelling words in 5 sentences, alphabetize list, and practice to prepare for spelling test

- Math - usually a few practice problems using his touch points for addition (Touch Math program) and a number line for subtraction

- Vocabulary words - practicing/studying

- Science - we've only had one science assignment with a 2-3 window to complete (STEM challenge: make an envelope into anything)

- Social Studies (new addition) - studying words, simple assignment

At bedtime, we usually read one book on Raz-kids and complete the 5 comprehension questions that go with it and another book of his choice.

Sometimes in order to complete homework, we need to role play as teacher/student (the roles often switch) and it always includes an incentive when done but the majority of the time, it is completed pretty seamlessly. There are a few times where he gets frustrated and/or is tired and not fully into doing it, but overall, he has been very cooperative and willing to complete the tasks presented to him.

I am so proud of him and how far he has come!

Spelling (5 sentences using spelling words) - He picks the spelling word and attempts a sentence, I "clean it up" and then we spell each word out on the white board. He then copies the sentence onto his paper.

His teachers have been sending home this alternative writing paper recommended by the OT; the yellow highlighted areas on the lines help him to recognize where he should be forming his letters.

Vocabulary word practice - he usually reads through the list one time and then I will "quiz" him.

Math worksheet - his teacher will highlight which problems we need to complete and/or information in a word problem that is most important for him to recognize. He uses touch points (Touch Math) that help him to have a visual for counting/adding.

Writing spelling words two times each.