Achievement Coordinator (Minority Specialist) (703) 228-5427
Art (703) 228-5374
Business & Computer Science (703) 228-5419
Counseling (703) 228-5403
Drama (703) 228-5414
Driver's Education (703) 228-5377
English (703) 228-5368
Foreign Language (703) 228-5416
Gifted Program Coordinator (703) 228-5427
Health and Physical Education (703) 228-5421
HILT (703) 228-5392
Home Economics (703) 228-5425
Marketing (703) 228-5419
Math (703) 228-5415
Media Center (703) 228-5380
Music (703) 228-5370
Science (703) 228-5378
Social Studies (703) 228-5371
Special Education (703) 228-8757
 
 

Dear Students and Parents:

All of us who work at Yorktown are committed to providing each and every student with a first-rate education. We believe that part of that education includes homework. These days, we sometimes hear debate about the value of homework. Yet a review of 120 studies on homework concluded that in high school, the average student with the same teacher in a homework class would outperform 69% of the students in a no-homework class. Students who did more homework also had higher achievement on national assessments. In high school especially, homework aids achievement.

In this brochure, you will find some information from each department regarding homework. Please also note the following:

• Parents can be most helpful by creating the best home environment possible in which a student can work independently. You should also help your child budget time for homework on a daily basis.
• Homework is for students. They should be able to complete short-term and long-term assignments on their own.
• We do not believe in assigning homework as a punishment.
• Our homework assignments include review and practice of material already covered, and occasionally the introduction of new concepts that prepare a student for the next class.
• The typical student will have an average of two to three hours of homework per evening. This includes time to complete that evening’s assignments AND to study, read and review class notes. Actual homework time will also vary depending upon the nature of a student's schedule.

With personal best wishes,

Dr. Raymond Pasi
Principal
 
 

In all Visual Arts classes, homework is integrated into the curriculum to further enrich the learning process. Homework is assigned to allow the student to further explore concepts, develop and reinforce skills, apply knowledge learned in the classroom, and develop aesthetic awareness in both long and short-term learning experiences.

Homework in the Visual Arts classes includes such assignments as sketching, observing, researching, collecting/finding subject matter, developing long-term projects, continuing work on in class projects and visiting museums, galleries and generally observing works of art that are found around us. All these are necessary for the student to generate and formulate his/her own ideas and to successfully complete the artistic learning experiences provided here at Yorktown.
 
 

Business, Marketing and Computer Science has become very technology oriented using computer labs and specialty software for the delivery of our curriculum. Most curriculums require hands-on learning supervised by the instructor. If a student possesses a computer and software compatible with the curriculum, they are encouraged to practice at home.

Our Cisco course is an outline course that is enhanced through classroom instruction. However, Cisco can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection and students are encouraged to study at home. AP Computer Science is a very challenging course that requires students to spend, on the average, one hour a day on homework to be successful.
 
 

• Class-related
• Meaningful productive assignments of activities which meet a specific instructional purpose and are designed to be completed by the student on his/her own time.
• An assignment that provides:
• reinforcement of knowledge or skills
• preparation for upcoming lessons or units
• extension or application of material obtained in the classroom
• creative and critical management in problem-solving activities.
• Students should experience a variety of types of homework and assignments.
• The teacher will determine the appropriateness, purpose and form of assignments.
• The teacher will prepare guidelines for students relating to grading, content, and time expectations.
• Teacher will provide appropriate consequences for students who fail to comply with homework guidelines.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

Since language acquisition takes time, patience, and much practice, thoughtfully completed homework assignments are essential for success.
Teachers expect that homework assignments will be students’ own work.

• Homework is assigned on a regular basis; both daily and long-term assignments of various lengths are given.
• Some homework may include other tasks besides written work, such as an oral practice of assignments.
• Homework is to be completed before students enter the classroom, and should demonstrate understanding of the assignment given.
• Students are expected to actively correct homework during class.
• Teachers will include student homework as part of the grading system, as explained in their policy sheets.

Foreign Language teachers provide support through a lunchtime language lab, and through after school help by individual teachers. In addition, lists of advanced students willing to tutor can be provided.
 

As in other disciplines, homework is an integral part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum to serve the purpose of enriching and reviewing materials covered during classes. Each quarter students have one three-week health unit and two three-week P.E. units. The teacher attempts to limit the amount of homework assigned to their students during the health unit. In P.E. no written work is assigned, but there may be a need to study for a written test or practice for a skills test. These tests are a standard part of each P.E. unit and constitute a part of the overall grade for the unit. Therefore, the following guidelines have been established for the department:

• Most assignments should be completed during class.
• Occasionally work initiated during class may be completed at home.

• It is expected that students will study/practice assigned test/quiz outside of class if needed.
• While in various units in physical education, a teacher may suggest that students observe a special athletic event (such as the Olympics) to earn extra credit.
• If an injury occurs or a student is opted out of a particular unit, the student may be assigned a report or given other written work to be completed during class.

The HILT Department considers homework to be an integral part to the language learning process and forms a measurable part of the final quarter grade in both language arts and content area classes.

Homework may be assigned each class day and will be in many different formats to encourage practicing the study skills necessary to academic success as well as the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills targeted to each class.

Students may expect a variety of assignments: written, oral, and/or reading, both short and long-term, from both language arts and content area classes.

Students who need help with concepts covered in class or in completing their homework are encouraged to stay after school on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays when the HILT teachers are available in their classrooms to help.

• Books, magazines and books-on-tape available for checkout
• National and local newspapers
• Internet access and a variety of software applications
• Scanners and color printers available for special projects
• Audio-visual equipment for in-school use
• Interlibrary loans from any Arlington Public School
• Clipping magazines for posters and collages
• Student copier: 10 cents per page

The Mathematics Department believes that daily homework is crucial to the learning of mathematics. The guidelines below typify the homework expectations of our mathematics teachers:

• Students should expect homework each time the class meets.
• Students should expect to spend a minimum of one half hour of homework per night.
• Assignment and the different rates at which individual students work, homework time may often be longer.
• The amount of written work students do should be sufficient to show a reader how the answer was attained.
• Students are expected to review their homework solutions after appropriate class discussions, and to use their homework as a resource to study for quizzes and exams.
• Students are expected to check answers in the back of the book when provided and come to class ready to ask questions.
• Teachers will include student homework as part of the grading system, according to their course expectations established at the beginning of the year.

Math teachers are available to help with Algebra I and Geometry in the Math Lab in Room 201 Tuesday and Thursday after school. In addition math teachers are also available to their students during their office hours for extra help and absentee make-up work. Peer tutoring is available through a list generated each year in the upper level math classes. There is a strong correlation between regular completion of homework and success in mathematics.
 
 

In the Music Fine Arts classes, homework is integrated into the curriculum to enhance and enrich the learning process by developing and reinforcing the applied music skills learned in class.

Practice (on one’s instrument) is the recurring homework assignment in the choral, band and orchestral music programs. Choral music practice may be in the traditional manner (a student singing with the aid of an instrument) or in a contemporary manner (learning voice parts with the aid of the Internet & midi-devices.)

Other types of homework required in the choral music classes may include sight-reading assignments, research on a composer, composing (music theory class only), or listening to and critiquing various music styles.
It is expected that the student will practice his/her instrument daily, preparing for class rehearsals and for scheduled concerts and performances.
 
 

The Science Department believes that homework is necessary and integral to learning, understanding and applying scientific concepts to better comprehend the world in which we live. Science teachers will regularly assign homework according to the following guidelines:

• Students should expect homework at least several times a week.
• The assignments will be clearly written on the chalkboard, overhead, or a long-term assignment sheet.
• Teachers will give students at least three weeks time to complete larger, long-term projects.
• Students are encouraged to ask for clarification if an assignment is not clear.
• Homework assignments are usually (but not limited to) reading, practice problems, vocabulary and short-answer exercises, lab reports, essays, test preparation and library work.
• Teachers will make every attempt to limit the amount of homework to approximately 15 minutes per night. Some students may finish a particular assignment in a shorter period of time while others may need to spend more time on an assignment.
• More advanced classes require a greater effort on the part of students that elect to take such courses. The assignment difficulty and time spent on homework is necessarily greater in Intensified and AP science courses.
• The best way to learn the how to use the tools of science is to do Science. An independent investigative science project is required of all students enrolled in AP and Intensified science classes. Students will be given a schedule listing all deadlines for the project within the first month of the school year.
• Teachers will clearly inform students about the expected format for written answers. Students are expected to follow the format as outlined by their teacher.
• Problems should clearly show the steps leading to their solution.
• Homework is assigned so students are prepared for activities in the classroom. Students should complete assigned homework prior to class so they are prepared to positively participate.
• Teachers will give timely feedback to students on the quality of their homework.
• Teachers will clearly indicate the extent to which homework affects a student’s grade in their course.
• Students are encouraged to keep past homework assignments for purposes of review and test preparation.

Students are encouraged to arrange time to meet with their teachers for extra help during lunch, before or after school. Extra assistance with class work and science
project work is also available Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Students may wish to check with NHS for peer tutoring opportunities.
 
 

The Social Studies Department believes homework to be an integral part of every class and student success is directly connected to the completion of meaningful homework assignments.

Students can expect:

• Regular homework assignments in all social science classes.
• Types and scope of assignments will range from short-term activities to longer critical thinking and research-based projects.
• Your teacher will provide specific information about and instruction for each assignment.
• Each assignment will be given a specific due date.
• In general, assignments will be collected, graded and returned to you.
• Each teacher will clearly state in their syllabus: How homework grades will impact the total grade and guidelines for accepting (or not accepting) late work.

• Homework to be completed by the beginning of class on the due date.
• Students to assume responsibility for promptly missed work.
• Students to seek additional help and/or explanation for any assignment in a timely manner, usually prior to leaving the classroom on the day it is assigned.
• Students to communicate with the teacher(s) when extenuating circumstances prevent completion of the assigned work.

• Typically, teachers are available beyond their school hours (before and after school).
• Resource specialists assigned exclusively for the social studies department can give additional help when needed.
• Access to computers and other library resources are available during lunch with written permission of a teacher.
• Because most social studies teachers are experienced in teaching more than one subject students should feel free to seek out teachers, other than their own, for help.

Homework policies of all departments apply to all students with identified disabilities who are in mainstream classes at Yorktown High School. An individual student’s IEP may indicate the need for extended time or shortened assignments when appropriate, and the student, monitor and teacher work together to determine those individual needs.

Resource – students in the special education resource program have the opportunity to enroll in an Instructional Studies class for one period per day. This class is considered an elective and the purpose is to provide time during the school day to get a head start on homework, or to receive resource assistance to strengthen and/or reinforce skills necessary to complete the assigned work. Time is also allowed for organization of materials and time.

Self-Contained – for those students enrolled in special education classes for academic subjects, homework is designed to reinforce skills learned in the classroom. In addition, homework is emphasized as a tool for school success and integral to the process of mainstreaming.
 
 

In Theatre Arts homework is an avenue to further explore concepts, develop and reinforce skills, apply knowledge learned in the classroom and develop aesthetic awareness in both long and short-term learning experience.

Homework in Theatre Arts I & II class includes vocal and movement exercises, learning theatre terminology, memorization, rehearsal of scenes, writing character and scene analysis, playwriting and completing production units. In addition to the above homework, students in Theatre Arts III & IV will be involved in extensive after school rehearsals for class productions and performances.

Homework in Technical Theatre includes design projects, learning theatre terminology, building, construction and providing technical support for school events. Students will be involved in extensive after school rehearsals for at least one production during the year.

All Theatre Arts students are encouraged to attend out of school performances throughout the year.
 
 

Students are responsible for obtaining and completing assignments when they are absent. For most absences, students are encouraged to identify a buddy in each class to contact when an absence occurs. Counseling Services will assist parents in getting homework assignments for prolonged absences (usually a week or more).

Parents should call the Counseling Office at (703) 228-5403 or (703) 228-5363 as early into the prolonged absence as possible. Gathering assignment information from teachers takes a minimum of 24 hours.

Teachers have varied policies regarding make-up work, depending upon the particular course and nature of the assignment. Students should check with their teachers at the start of the year to clarify under what circumstances, if any, make-up work is accepted.