Letter to the Parents

Dear Parents,

I believe homework is important because it helps students make the most of their experience in class. I give homework because it is useful in reinforcing what has been learned in class, extends and generalizes concepts, provides practice time, teaches responsibility, and helps students develop positive study habits.

I expect students to do their best jobs on their homework. I expect homework to be neat, well-organized, not sloppy. I expect students complete all the homework, 100%, not even 90%.


I know that the students were very busy in the first month of a new semester, so I understand that the students had no time to do my homework. I think every student has a new school year resolution in his or her heart. My suggestion is that no matter how busy they are, please save 15 minutes to do my homework. It is not a ambitious scheme, but self-discipline requred to do 15 minutes everyday is considerable! Many students's enthusiasm will wane within a month. The 15 minutes gradually diminish. Little by little the 15 minutes fall to zero. One month later, they will be back to where they start from. However, the students who
keep on doing 15 minutes homework will be in advance that others can hardly catch up. The worst thing is that they will lose their sense of responsibility.

I strongly believe in the value that positive support plays in motivating students to develop good student habits. I will give students feedback, guidance, support, and praise. So, I give them model compositions, composition guide and compositions in World Journal on my blog. I save lots of time in class for them to speak and answer my questions. I publish Monthly Letter for our students to read. However, 15 minutes homework is the first thing of the first.

If there is a legitimate reason why a student is not able to finish homework, please send a note to me on the day the homework is due stating the reason it was not completed. I realize that things do come up during the year.

I feel that parents are the key to making homework a positive experience for their children. Therefore, I ask that parents make homework a top priority, provide necessary supplies and a quiet homework environment, set a daily homework time, provide praise and support, not let students avoid homework and contact me if they notice a problem. I really hope that parents who speak Chinese talk to your children in Chinese.

Have a nice Mid-Autumn Festival!

Teacher Mei