homework not done note to parents

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Letter To Parents About Homework Not Done

By Mubashir

July 4, 2024

A “Letter to Parents About Homework Not Done” is a formal communication sent by a teacher to the parents of a student who has not completed their homework assignment. The purpose of this letter is to inform the parents about the situation and to request their assistance in ensuring that the student completes their homework in the future.

In this blog article, we will share several templates, examples, and samples of “Letter to Parents About Homework Not Done” letters. These letters can be used by teachers as a starting point for writing their own letters. By providing these templates, we hope to make it easier for teachers to communicate with parents about homework completion and to encourage students to take responsibility for their schoolwork.

Letter to Parents Regarding Incomplete Homework

Dear Mr. and Mrs. [Parents’ Last Name],

I am writing to inform you that your child, [Child’s Name], has not completed their homework assignment for [Subject]. The assignment was due on [Due Date].

[Child’s Name] has been struggling with this particular topic, and I have been providing them with additional support during class. However, they have not yet demonstrated a full understanding of the material.

I believe that completing this homework assignment is essential for [Child’s Name]’s success in this class. It will help them to reinforce the concepts they have learned and prepare them for future lessons.

I would appreciate it if you could encourage [Child’s Name] to complete the assignment as soon as possible. They can access the assignment on our class website or by contacting me directly.

I am available to provide additional support if needed. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

How to Write a Letter to Parents About Homework Not Done

Homework is an essential part of a child’s education. It helps them to reinforce what they have learned in class, and it can also help them to develop important study skills. However, there are times when a child may not be able to complete their homework. If this happens, it is important to write a letter to the child’s parents to explain the situation.

Be Honest and Direct

The first step in writing a letter to parents about homework not done is to be honest and direct. Explain the reason why the homework was not completed, and be sure to take responsibility for the situation. Do not make excuses or try to blame the child. Instead, focus on what you can do to help the child complete their homework in the future.

Offer Solutions

In addition to explaining the reason why the homework was not completed, you should also offer solutions. This could include providing extra help during class, setting up a study schedule, or providing access to additional resources. Be sure to be specific in your suggestions, and make sure that they are realistic and achievable.

Be Respectful

It is important to be respectful of the parents’ time and concerns. Keep your letter brief and to the point, and be sure to use a polite and professional tone. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that the parents may not understand.

Once you have sent the letter, be sure to follow up with the parents. This could involve calling them to discuss the situation further, or meeting with them in person. Be sure to keep the parents updated on the child’s progress, and be willing to make adjustments to your plan as needed.

Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips for writing a letter to parents about homework not done:

• Write the letter in a timely manner.
• Proofread the letter carefully before sending it.
• Be open to feedback from the parents.
• Work together with the parents to find a solution that works for everyone.

Writing a letter to parents about homework not done can be a difficult task, but it is important to be honest, direct, and respectful. By following these tips, you can write a letter that will help the parents to understand the situation and work with you to find a solution.

FAQs about Letter To Parents About Homework Not Done

What should be included in a letter to parents about homework not done.

A letter to parents about homework not done should include the following information:

• A clear statement that the student has not completed their homework.
• The specific assignment(s) that were not completed.
• The date(s) on which the assignment(s) were due.
• The consequences for not completing the homework.

How should a letter to parents about homework not done be written?

A letter to parents about homework not done should be written in a clear, concise, and respectful tone. It should be free of judgment or blame. The focus should be on working together with the parents to help the student succeed.

What are some tips for writing a letter to parents about homework not done?

• Keep it brief and to the point.
• Be clear and specific about the problem.
• Avoid using judgmental or accusatory language.
• Focus on the student’s needs and how you can work together to help them succeed.

What should I do if a parent does not respond to a letter about homework not done?

• Call the parent to follow up.
• Email the parent again.
• Send a note home with the student.

What are some resources that can help me write a letter to parents about homework not done?

• The National Education Association (NEA)
• The American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
• The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
• Your school district’s website

Reach out to us for a consultation.

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No Homework Note to Parents Template

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A No Homework Note to Parents Template is a document that schools can use to communicate to parents that their child will not have any homework assignments for a specific period of time. It helps inform parents about the decision and provides them with any additional information or instructions they may need.

There is no specific entity that files a "No Homework Note to Parents" template. It can be created and used by individual teachers or schools as a means of communicating with parents about days when no homework is assigned.

Q: What is a no homework note to parents template? A: A no homework note to parents template is a pre-made document that can be used by teachers to inform parents that there will be no homework assigned on a particular day or for a specific period of time.

Q: Why would a teacher use a no homework note to parents template? A: Teachers may use a no homework note to parents template to efficiently communicate with parents and ensure that everyone is aware of the no homework policy.

Q: What information should be included in a no homework note to parents? A: A no homework note to parents should include the date or dates when no homework will be assigned, a brief explanation of the reason for the no homework policy, and any instructions or reminders for parents.

Q: Is the use of a no homework note to parents template common? A: Yes, the use of a no homework note to parents template is quite common as it saves time for teachers and provides clear communication to parents about the lack of homework.

Q: Are there any specific guidelines for creating a no homework note to parents? A: There are no specific guidelines, but it is generally recommended to keep the note concise and clear, while providing all necessary information to the parents.

Download No Homework Note to Parents Template

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Homework Letter to Parents | Email Templates

As a teacher, communicating with parents about the homework expectations for their children is crucial for fostering a successful learning environment. Crafting a homework letter that is both informative and engaging can be a challenging task. That’s why we’ve created a list of homework letter-to-parents templates that you can use to effectively communicate with parents about the assignments, expectations, and goals for their child’s homework. In this article, we’ll go over the key elements of a successful homework letter, and provide you with a customizable template that you can use for your classroom.

The key elements of an effective homework letter to parents include

• A clear introduction that establishes your purpose and goals for the homework,
• A detailed explanation of the assignments, expectations, and grading policies,
• A schedule outlining when homework is due, and a section dedicated to answering frequently asked questions or addressing concerns.
• Additionally, adding information or resources about how parents can support their child’s learning at home and providing resources for additional support can also be helpful.

These elements will help ensure that parents are well-informed about their child’s homework and can effectively support their child’s academic success.

Example of detailed Homework letter to parents

I hope this email finds you, your child, and in good health. I wanted to take the time to talk about the value of homework and how it may aid in your child’s development as we begin the new school year. I’ve designed a template for a homework letter to parents that I’ll be using this year to assist keep you informed about your child’s homework requirements.

The homework template was created to give you succinct, clear information about the homework assignments, goals, and expectations for your child. It will also include a schedule explaining when homework is due, as well as a part devoted to addressing any worries you might have or frequently asked questions.

I’ll explain how the assignment helps your child learn in the introduction, as well as its purpose and goals. You can have a clear grasp of what is expected of your child by reading the thorough explanation section. This section defines the assignments, expectations, and grading guidelines. You may assist your child manage their time by giving them the due dates as per the timetable area.

I have also included some resources to help your child’s learning at home. You can learn how to support your child’s academic success.

I am aware that parents and students alike may find the topic of homework to be difficult, which is why I am providing this homework letter. I hope that this template will make it easier for you to support your child’s learning by having a clear understanding of the homework expectations.

If you have any questions or concerns about the homework letter to parents template, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I am always available to discuss your child’s academic progress and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education.

Homework letter to parents templates

• Dear parent, This is a reminder that it is your child’s responsibility to bring their homework assignments home. We encourage you to make sure your child has their work ready with them each day so we all spend less time on this task and more time on teaching. Missing homework assignments may result in a lower grade for the assignment or even being taken out points from the report card altogether. Please see attached a list of missing homework assignments from your child’s class.
• Dear Parent, We are writing to inform you that we have not received homework from your child for the following subjects [list]. If we do not receive this assignment by 2024, your child will receive a zero grade on all assignments until the missing homework is submitted. We thank you in advance and appreciate your help with this matter.
• Dear parent, we noticed that your child did not hand in his/her homework. We will do our best to ensure your child does not miss out on learning from this lesson. Please ensure that your child brings home their homework next week. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
• Dear Parent, It is important that your child complete their homework on time each night. Please help them by discussing the importance of homework completion and encouraging it to be done every night. Thank you.
• Dear Parent, It has been brought to our attention that your child has been missing homework. We are asking that you remind your child of the importance of homework. Please ensure it is being completed daily, as this greatly helps your child in the classroom. Thank you for your time and cooperation.
• Dear parents, Please see below a list of your child’s missing homework assignments. Please check if there are any questions you may have and then sign the form at the end. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank You,
• Dear Parent, Your student has not turned in the homework assignment. Please see that they bring it with them tomorrow. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at [number]. Thank you for your time. Sincerely,
• Dear parent, this is our weekly homework reminder. We would appreciate it if you could check and make sure that your children have their homework completed. That way, they will be capable of focusing on school work instead of struggling to complete missing assignments in class. Thank you for your help.
• Dear Parent, your child has been marked absent for missing homework. Please see the attached document for more information.
• Dear Parent, I am sending this email to notify parents that the assignment [name] was not turned in. I hope that the assignment will be returned soon.
• Dear Parent, We noticed that you missed the lesson titled [name] on Monday. This lesson was designed to help your child develop a better understanding of grammar and sentence structure, which are crucial skills to learn as they grow into successful adults. To access this lesson again and complete the homework assignment please visit the link. If you have any questions or concerns during this process please do not hesitate to contact me. 

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Sample Letter to Parents about Missing Homework

School offices usually make sure that they have templates for all correspondence that they need to send to the board, suppliers, vendors, and parents.

These templates are then customized so that they can be used in any situation.

The most important correspondence within these is the one between the school and parents.

Since it is the school’s duty to keep the parents abreast of things happening at school, particularly with their children, it is important to be able to communicate with them in writing.

One of the most common problems in schools is missing homework. In the event that a student has come to school without his or her homework (especially if he or she has been doing this a lot), an administrator or a teacher will be required to write to the parents and inform them.

Sending in a formal letter stating the details of the situation including how many times it has happened and how you feel it can be managed, is imperative.

The thing about writing letters to parents pointing out missing homework is that every situation is different, so predefined templates may not work.

If you have found yourself to be in a situation such as this, you will need to know exactly what it is that you need to write in such a letter.

Here is an example:

Sample Letter to Parents About Missing Homework

Debra Morris School Administrator St. Peter’s School 81 Upland Road Essex Junction, VT 18302 Tel: (000) 222-2222

April 7, 2022

Mrs. Patricia Wright 22 Hillcrest Road Essex Junction, VT 01560

Dear Mrs. Wright:

This is with reference to your daughter, Amelia Wright, who is a Grade 4 student at St. Peter’s School. It has come to my attention that Amelia has been erratic in bringing her homework to school for a few months now, despite several reminders in her homework diary.

I have personally looked through Amelia’s previous files and see no inclination of a problem of this sort in the past. She has been a great student during the 3 years which is why this matter is of great concern to me. Since this is not a fleeting matter, I suggest that you look into why her homework is missing so often.

The homework that she has missed in the last 3 weeks is attached to this letter. I suggest that you supervise her and ensure that homework is put in her school bag. If there is anything that I can do to provide assistance during this time, please feel free to get in touch with me.

Debra Morris

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Yes, You Can Opt Your Kids Out of Homework—Here’s How

When Juliana Porter thinks about the feeling that homework induces, one word comes to mind: dread.

“The subject we’ve found to be the most challenging is math, in large part because strategies and ‘show your work’ are often required to get correct answers,” says the North Carolina mom of three. “But as parents who are not in the class to learn new methods, we’re not able to help. Or we can help, but it’s not the correct method being taught and adds to our child’s confusion.”

The Porter family’s experience isn’t unique. Research published in the Child & Youth Care Forum found more than 25% of parents and kids say homework “always or often interferes with family time and creates a power struggle.” And according to an additional study conducted by a Stanford researcher, 56% of students surveyed say homework is a primary source of stress.

parents/getty images

While many families do their best to help their children complete homework with as little frustration as possible, my family has chosen a different option: to simply skip it. For four years, my family has totally opted out of homework, which I’ve learned doesn’t produce enough benefits for the stress it causes. And I want other parents to know that opting out of homework is an option for their kids, too.

Homework: How to Opt Out

If your child goes to an open admissions public school, opting out of homework can be something you consider. While it may be a particularly good choice if homework is causing major household stress, you don’t have to wait until your child is miserable to act if they (or you) would simply prefer to spend the time in other ways. There are no legal requirements that students complete work outside of school hours and, for many children, the actual determinants of homework outweigh the theoretical benefits.

How I Opt My Kids Out of Homework

To opt out, I send a note to each of my children's teachers at the beginning of the year letting them know that my child will not be completing homework, that their overall grade should not be impacted, and that they should not be penalized in any way for not turning in homework assignments.

I also let them know that we're committed to our kids' education, that we read together most evenings, and that, if my child is struggling or needs extra support in any subject, we're happy to brainstorm solutions to help them get the practice they need.

Opting out has worked well for our family but implicit bias might mean that other families don't receive the same neutral or positive reaction that our white family does. 

"Many historically marginalized families never consider opting out of homework, even when they know that it's not meaningful," says Sequoya Mungo, PhD , an educational equity consultant and co-founder of BrownLight Inc. , a company helping to create positive diversity and inclusion results in educational, nonprofit, and corporate environments. "When white families make these types of educational choices, they are viewed as forward-thinking and as advocates for their children's education. When non-middle class and non-white families opt out, the assumption is that parents don't value education.” 

According to Dr. Mungo, coming with research or policy can be helpful as even some school level administrators are unaware that opting out is within your rights as parents. “The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to not be met with pushback.” 

Why Families May Want to Opt Out of Homework

Since homework is so prevalent, many assume it's vital, or at least important, to kids' academic growth. But the reality is murkier. "There's really no good evidence that homework completion positively impacts kids' academic growth or achievement," says Samantha Cleaver, PhD , a reading interventionist and author of Raising an Active Reader: The Case for Reading Aloud to Engage Elementary School Youngsters . 

A 2006 meta-analysis of homework and achievement found moderate correlation in middle school and little correlation in elementary school, while there was negative correlation (that is, more homework means less learning) in third grade and below.

While research shows homework can help high school kids improve grades, test results, and likelihood of going to college, the reality is academic pressures in the U.S. have increased over the last two decades, and so too has the amount of homework that kids are assigned. The National Education Association (NEA) recommends no more than 10 minutes of homework per night per grade level, but that's often not what's happening.

Excessive homework can negatively impact sleep, mental health, and stress levels . It’s also important to note homework is an issue of equity, since not every child has the same opportunities at home.

"When kids are doing work in school, the classroom environment serves as somewhat of an equalizer,'' says Dr. Mungo. "Kids have access to the same teacher and generally the same resources within the classroom setting. At home, kids have different environments, different access to resources, and different levels of support." This means kids with less support and more challenges often end up getting lower grades or being penalized for not turning in work for reasons totally outside their control.

Parents who don't want to be the only ones opting out can work to change the homework culture at their school. Consider reaching out to your principal about your homework concerns or connecting with other parents or the PTA to help build support for your cause.

And if you do opt out, don't be shy about letting other parents know that's what you've chosen to do. Sometimes just knowing there is an option and that others have opted out successfully can help families decide what's right for them.

What to Do With the Extra Time You're Not Doing Homework

When Porter thinks about what a life without homework would be like, she envisions a much more relaxed evening routine. “I imagine a scenario where my kids can do their after-school activities , read more, get outside, and generally just decompress from the daily eight-hour grind that is school,” she says.

If you opt out of homework and find your family with more time for other sorts of learning, leisure, or adventure, be thoughtful about how you’ll structure your new routine and talk with your kids about the value of doing nothing, the importance of family time, or how to spend their time in ways that matter to them.

And if you want to be sure they're getting in some valuable post-school learning, consider repurposing your previous homework time to reading with your kids. "Reading aloud has benefits long after your kids can read on their own," says Dr. Cleaver. "Encourage them to choose books about subjects they're interested in, snuggle up together, and enjoy watching them learn through active reading."

But reading isn’t the only way to reap benefits. "There are lots of things that kids can do after school that will positively impact their growth and development that don't involve sitting down to do more of the work they've done at school,'' says Dr. Cleaver. " Time to decompress through play or relaxation isn't just fun, it actually helps kids' brains and bodies relax, making them more open to learning."

Homework and Children in Grades 3–6: Purpose, Policy and Non-Academic Impact .  Child Youth Care Forum.

Nonacademic Effects of Homework in Privileged, High-Performing High Schools .  The Journal of Experimental Education

Suitable Homework Boosts Highschool Learning Effects . World Journal of Education.

How much homework is too much? National Education Association.

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Students Email Their Parents About Missing Work

In my last blog post titled, “ Stop Taking Grading Home ,” I explained how I use the Station Rotation Model to provide students with real-time feedback as they work instead of taking grading home. I had one teacher ask me what I do when a student arrives at my teacher-led station and has not done the work required. That’s a great question, so I wanted to share my very simple strategy with my readers.

If students have fallen behind on a formal essay, large scale assignment, or project , I require that they begin their session with me at the teacher-led real-time feedback station by writing their parents an email to explain why they have not completed the work they were assigned. They must CC me on the email, use the formal business letter format, and propose a specific action plan to catch up on their work.

This strategy is so simple but so effective! Students are rarely asked to take ownership of and responsibility for their work. Typically, a parent does not realize there is a problem until a zero is entered into a gradebook or report cards are mailed home. Requiring students to contact their parents and take responsibility for their work at various check-points along the process creates an incentive for students to prioritize their school work. This strategy also takes the responsibility off of the teacher, who is typically the person tasked with reaching out to the parents when there is an issue.

The most rewarding part of this strategy are the conversations that take place between parents and their children. Because I am CCed on the initial email, parents typically “reply all” and keep me in the loop as they dialogue with their child. I love the questions parents ask in their follow-up emails, like “Why weren’t you able to complete this part of the assignment when it was due? How are you using your class time? What can I do at home to support you in getting your work done?” I see so much value in encouraging students to have these conversations with their parents.

As soon as I adopted this strategy, more students completed their work on time and several parents thanked me for keeping them in the loop about their child’s progress, or lack thereof.

At the start of this school year, I posted a blog titled “ Who is doing the work in your classroom? ” where I said I planned to try to flip my thought process to make sure students were the ones working because the people doing the work are the ones learning. Each time I was tempted to say, “I could…” I challenged myself and my co-teacher to flip the statement and instead make it a question like “How can students…?” This shift in is what led, in part, to having students email their parents. I remember saying to my co-teacher, “We should email the parents of students who’ve fallen behind on their essays.” Her response was, “Why not make them do it?” Thank goodness for her reminders!

So, whenever you feel daunted by all you have to do as an educator, ask yourself how you can make your students do more of the work in your classroom. From that work will come real learning.

59 Responses

Admirable idea/strategy. Are you keeping statistical evidence on its effectiveness? I love the fact that it puts the ownership right where it belongs. I like it.

I have not spent much time comparing data from this year to last year, but I definitely could. This is just one of many shifts I’ve made this year so I’m not sure comparing data would help me to identify the impact of this one strategy given how much has changed in my approach.

Or…your students could track the data??

I agree with Vicki Healy. However, what do you have student do when there is no email for a parent?

If the station is near the phone – you could have the student call home.

I’ll check it out. Thanks, Sylvia!

I’m still reflecting on the strategy. It is borderline punitive, “if you do not do this…then I will tell your parents.” Have you considered sitting down with student and determining why they did not do the assignment before contacting parents? If this intervention doesn’t work, I can see getting parents involved but bringing them into the situation prematurely seems to destroy any relationship and trust a student has with you.

I work closely with my students throughout the entire process of a piece of writing or a project. We have many conversations daily about what they are working on, where they are at, and what they need from me to be successful. Those conversations are fundamental to my real-time feedback approach to assessment, so these parent emails are not premature. They are designed to inform parents of their progress, or lack thereof, and encourage students to take ownership of that progress. Because I do not use a traditional gradebook (as described in prior posts) this is an important strategy to pull parents into the conversation about their child’s progress.

Your strategy incorrectly assumes that all students have control over their learning environment and productivity.

What about those students whose ineffective parents prevent them from completing or submitting work. How do you avoid making home worse for those kids? Even if the kid has good parents, that doesn’t mean those parents have the skills necessary to help students improve their writing productivity or proficiency.

You also assume that all kids produce writing at the same pace. Have you thought about asking students to log their progress during class and monitoring their writing strategies? Building metacognition will more effectively improve all students’ writing.

How can you make your learning environment more conducive to that child making progress?

Your comment about all of the assumptions I’m making about my kids suggests that you may not be familiar with my work or my approach to teaching. I wonder if after reading a bit more about my work and my current program if you would be asking me to think about how I can make my learning environment more conducive to supporting my students in making progress.

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In the State of California it is MANDATORY that parents are notified if their student will fail a class. If not it is illegal to give a student a failing grade. This strategy not only help students realize it is their responsibility to complete the required work, but meets that requirement. Great job Catlin!

It doesn’t have to be punitive if you make sure the student emails a plan to correct the issue. At that point it is a progress report and action plan for correction.

What do you do for those without email or internet?

I’ve only got one parent without email, so we do a phone call instead.

I really like your blog comments. They are a great reminder for educators to keep students accountable and parents informed along the way. I once, early in my career, had a wise principal ask me” who is doing all the work, Heather? You or the students? I stopped. I love email idea. Cheers from a retired senior science teacher.

Thank you for the comment, Heather!

I have had my students call their parents and do a similar thing using a script for years. It’s highly effective. The kids hate it, the parent love it and it saves me time! I find that the kids work harder to avoid having to call home again. I love the email idea ? I think I will try that next year! Thank you for sharing.

Jen, I would love to see a sample of your phone call script.

I have done this for the past 3 years and find it works exceptionally well. Like you, I do it for major items, not every little thing, unless there’s been a string of incomplete work. It gets them to take responsibility and reflect on their learning skills and time management, and it keeps parents informed as well. I find it has also greatly reduced the amount of students who were coming to class unprepared or with incomplete work. I have not found it to negatively impact the relationship I have with students as I very clearly set the parameters at the beginning of the year and I don’t use it excessively or all the time, only for bigger items. I always try and find out what the backstory is first as well, to help brainstorm solutions and what they could do to avoid these situations in the future (ex. Time management and learning skill strategies). We also spend time at the beginning of the year learning to organize and manage our weekly schedules and figure out where the gaps are to get homework done but also to have fun and relax It may not be every students’ favorite strategy (what grade 6 student likes being held accountable?), but, like parenting, I think that we need to make good decisions for our students or help them make good decisions, whether they’re always popular or not. We’re not there to be their best friends, we’re adults there to support and guide them, and of course also have fun and learn from each other. Anyhow, just my two cents, but it sounds like it’s working for you! Thank you for sharing!

I definitely don’t do it for everything either, Steph.

I just do it for the big stuff. The stuff I’d want to know about as a parent.

Thanks for sharing how you approach using this with your kids!

What age group do you do this with? Secondary or intermediate ? Seems like a good strategy.

Hi Valerie,

I teach 9-10 grade. I feel like this is definitely a secondary strategy.

This is a thought provoking idea. I teach 7th grade and always look for ways to promote self-efficacy and responsibility. I would say that 50% of my students’ parents do not have emails. It’s a battle to communicate effectively. I wonder how your strategy would work via text message? I group text including parent and myself could serve the same purpose. I am so glad I came across your article today.

Thank you, Mary

If your parents are open to that, I’d definitely try it, Mary.

Emailing parents sounds like a really interesting strategy! I’m going to give it a shot. As for texting, it works really well in my room actually. I use Google Voice so the number is anonymous but works through all my devices and email. I definitely recommend it.

I also use a Google Voice number for some school-related things. (I’m outside the US now so it won’t work for everything.) . I really love that balance of reachability/anonymity of Google Voice. I get all the texts and voicemail transcriptions right away even though the number is not forwarded to my cell phone.

Catlin, I am constantly fed and encouraged by your work. Thank you very much for blogging about it. I am sorry there are some who just don’t “get it” or who comment without looking at the big picture. I am so glad you started a podcast, too!

Thank you for your kind words! I’m thrilled you enjoy my blog and my new podcast.

Happy New Year!

We have a system where we can use email to text parents and the responses come back to our email accounts. It is excellent for things like following up on attendance as parents are much more likely to respond to a text than an email.

When I was in high school (early 90s), my Latin teacher had a policy that if you did not complete your homework, you had to write a note to your parents explaining why. Those notes were then saved until parent teacher night. It was the only class for which i consistently did my homework. I knew what I was supposed to do. I knew there was no good reason why I couldn’t do it. She just held me accountable differently than my other teachers.

[…] Love this idea from Caitlin Tucker for addressing missing assignments — Students Email Their Parents About Missing Work […]

[…] I just love my class! We did lots of team building and getting to know you activities today and not much meat. I learned a LOT about some of my kiddos! One of them is even PERFECT (just ask him!) One of the things we did today was the sticky note posters – you know which ones. They are all over Pinterest. Students Email Their Parents About Missing Work. […]

Catlin, This blog post is fantastic. I love the idea of using the station rotation model for teacher led realtime feedback and putting the ownership of the learning on the students. Your solution to the homework issue is brilliant. Students learn responsibility, the connection to home is strengthened, and the teacher load is reduced.

Thanks for all your inspiration. We will be sharing this out to our teachers.

We are hoping to see you when you are in Nebraska this summer!

Ann Feldmann .

Thank you, Ann!

Moving assessment and feedback into the classroom has been incredible. Some teachers whether it’s too “idealistic,” but I think that has more to do with teachers feeling like they need to grade every single assignment. I’ve been much more strategic about what we spend our time assessing/discussing.

I’m excited to be in NE this July to work with teachers on blended learning!

Hi- I’m very intrigued by this idea, but I’m wondering how you get students to write an email when they won’t do their assigned work. Do you have to sit there with them while they write the email? I can’t see my students who refuse to do homework doing this. I love the idea if putting the responsibility on the student instead of me having to contact parents when they fall behind, but I’m wondering what this looks like in practice. Thanks!

Hi Kristen,

My students cycle through my teacher-led station as they work on large scale assignments and receive regular feedback from me. Most of the kids who have to write their parents have done some of the work but not all of it. They sit in my teacher-led station and write their email and don’t get to move onto the next station until I receive the CCed version in my inbox.

I do something similar to this in my classroom. I like that students are held accountable and parents are kept in the loop of what is happening in the classroom. As a parent, I would want to be informed. Success in schools involves parents, teachers and students to be involved 100%.

I love that you are encouraging the students to take ownership for their work, while still keeping parents informed. I can see how it would be a huge help with work completion! Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to try it with my students!

Simple yet important idea….putting it on students opens up communication among all parties involved. I do this with certain projects (via phone call because our district has restrictions on who elementary students can email). I can see them emailing me and I forward it on to parents. Thanks for the tip!

This is a great idea. What a fantastic way to keep students accountable, but also bring the parents into the classroom. As a secondary teacher myself I find myself not involving parents as much as I would like and this would be a great way to get them more informed about your classroom as well as holding the students accountable. Love it!

Thank you for this clearer picture on how I can better handle missing assignments with my students! Our Principal asks for an email to be sent home letting parents know our student hadn’t completed an assignment. This idea helps my middle schoolers become more accountable for their actions and learning all while completed the required task of notifying parents about the missing assignment. Great idea!

You’re welcome, Phillip!

Students taking responsibility for their learning…AMEN!! Providing a path for students to have open communication with the parents about their learning is so valuable!! Thanks for the GREAT blog post!

I’m waiting for your book to arrive and will be implementing many of your ideas next year. I’m wondering how many students you have through the day? Next year I’ll have 38 in each class for 51 minutes. It’s taken me a long time to conference with kids individually this year and am worried about how I’m going to make this happen on a bigger scale next year with such big classes and short periods.

Hi Marianne,

I’m piloting a program where I am actually co-teaching English, science, and technology, so I have 60 students at a time. My co-teacher and I work in block periods, which does give me a lot of time to work with them. 38 is a lot of kids and 51 minutes is not a lot of time. If I was trying to tackle that, I’d probably plan a 5 station rotation lesson that would extend over the corse of a week. Unfortunately, that means I’m only meeting with one group a day, but I could still work with students in small groups or pull them to work individually. It would make keeping all of my feedback/assessment in class more challenging. I’d have to use technology strategically and really keep all of my feedback super focused.

What do you do about parents who are not involved/supportive of their students and emailing/calling is not going to have an effect one way or the other. I have a group of kids this year who are VERY apathetic toward any kind of work. Unfortunately, the parents are the same way. I know that they are capable of doing the work, they just won’t. I have tried all year to find what motivates them and honestly nothing works! Thoughts?

At that point, Melissa, there isn’t much more I can do. My job is to keep the parents in the loop, but I cannot make a parent follow through. I typically focus my attention on communicating with the students in those cases where I know the parents aren’t involved.

with the advancement of technology of course we also have to upgrade tricks and teaching strategies. and that’s a good, simple but effective strategy

Great idea! I am interested in starting this process in my own classroom. Just curious as to how you began? Did you send home a letter explaining the process and ask for parent emails? If so, could I possibly see an example?

Again, great idea and thank you for sharing! Its extremely important for students to take ownership of their own learning and progress!

Students know their parents’ email addresses. Since they write the emails and CC me, I did not need to collect them. Unfortunately, I cannot share a student email for privacy reasons. Typically, the emails begin with an explanation of what the assignment is, where they should be in terms of progress, where they actually are, and how they plan to catch up. Their action plan is the most important part of the email and must be specific with timelines.

Catlin, I really like this idea. How do they email their parents? Do they compose the email using your email address? I don’t know that many of my students have their own email…but then again, I have never asked.

Hi Danielle,

My students have a school email, so they just compose their emails and CC me. You could have them compose messages using your Remind.com account if they are too young for email.

That is an excellent idea! Thanks, Catlin. I do use Remind every year.

[…] also read about Catlin Tucker’s system of having students email their parents about missing work, and I think it sounds like a productive way to spend some of those minutes next to […]

[…] Students Email Their Parents About Missing Work. In my last blog post titled, “Stop Taking Grading Home,” I explained how I use the Station Rotation Model to provide students with real-time feedback as they work instead of taking grading home. I had one teacher ask me what I do when a student arrives at my teacher-led station and has not done the work required. That’s a great question, so I wanted to share my very simple strategy with my readers. If students have fallen behind on a formal essay, large scale assignment, or project, I require that they begin their session with me at the teacher-led real-time feedback station by writing their parents an email to explain why they have not completed the work they were assigned. […]

I’m curious to know if anyone has tried this with behavior?

This works wonderfully with behavior, homework, classwork or anything. I’ve always used it. I dont usually do emails. I do phone calls, during class, in the hallway, on the spot.

Acting crazy? Call your dad. Cant turn in assignments? Call your dad.

Disrupting my classroom? Call your dad. Oh, your dad is at work and can’t be disrupted? Well all the other students and teachers in the school are trying to work and you’re disrupting them, so…

Catlin, I do something similar using Remind. However, I am the one reaching out to the parents. I love the instant responses I usually get using Remind. I wish there was a way to send a Remind message and CC someone at the same time. I’d love to have them send the message. I was the same way and my kids knew that when it came down to it and they weren’t getting things done that a Remind message would be sent. It didn’t hurt our relationships at all. I really think it strengthened it.

For some of my parents without email, I had students record an audio message from the students and texted it to the parents. I agree it would be nice to have a CC feature in Remind to allow students to initiate that communication with parents and include the teacher.

I also agree with your comment about this strategy strengthening relationships with students. It’s their learning journey, they should be responsible for articulating what is going well and what is not. Ultimately, I think kids understand that.

Take care! Catlin

Has anyone given any thought to how this policy might play out for kids in an abusive family situation? I can easily imagine a scenario in which a kid gets beaten for missing a homework assignment that was already difficult to complete because of a chaotic or abusive home life.

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© 2023 Dr. Catlin Tucker

Why I Did it: The 'No Homework' Letter

Second grade teacher in Godley, Texas

You may have seen the “no homework” letter I wrote last week. It ended up being shared quickly by thousands around the world when Samantha Gallagher, the parent of one of my students, put it on Facebook . My only intention in writing it was to explain ― to the 21 parents in my class ― that I would no longer assign nightly homework to my second graders, and to explain why I thought it was in the best interests of their children. I had no intention of sparking a worldwide conversation. But I’m grateful I did.

Why? Because that little note is drawing attention to an absolutely critical topic: How can we extend learning from the classroom to the home? What can parents do to support what happens in the classroom? And why does it matter? The “No Homework Letter” is about connecting parents to the learning in our classroom. It’s about building community and creating opportunities for parents to learn right along with us!

As a second grade teacher and mother in Texas, I have seen the power that connecting home and school can have on both sides. When teachers and parents work as a team, students win. Frequent teacher-family communication has been shown to increase class participation by nearly 50 percent. It also has also led to students paying closer attention in class.

But building bridges between parents and teachers isn’t always easy. Years ago, as a fourth grade teacher, I sought parents out at community events, little league, and high school football games. I knew the value of having a solid parent-teacher relationship, but I needed a way to break down the barrier and establish an open-door policy that the families trusted.

Since “No Homework” went viral, a question I keep getting is: “How are parents supposed to know what’s happening in the classroom if you don’t send homework?” For me, the simplest way I’ve found to make these connections is through technology ― in my case an app called ClassDojo . ClassDojo makes it easy to break down those walls between home and school in ways that are intuitive for parents, easy for teachers, and fun for students.

On “Meet the Teacher” night I ask my parents to sign up for the app and then I start the year off by reaching out to parents immediately, letting them know that if we work together we can do more for their child. Reassuring them that I will be their child’s biggest supporter at all times.

During the day, I can quickly send a picture when their child is presenting or when they accomplish a new skill. It takes all of five seconds and what I hear from parents is one picture can open up the door to hours of conversation at home. Similarly, with messaging I can share their child’s struggles and suggestions for support. All of a sudden you are a team, working together.

In smaller ways, messaging has saved many children from things as small as shoe blisters and overdrawn lunch accounts, to last minute confusion on whether their parent is picking them up or if they’re riding the bus. Instead of having to go through the front office and leave messages, they can go instantly and directly to me: the adult who is not only responsible, but with, their child.

My students also love being able to use it to upload their own work into a free, digital portfolio that is shared with their parents. They have a real audience for their learning and it motivates them and allows them to reflect on how they’ve grown throughout the year. It really puts them at the center of their own learning.

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Bridging the school-home divide is particularly important in schools that are transforming classrooms with project based learning ― where we’re helping students solve relevant problems and answer open-ended questions. It’s about moving beyond a packet of “work” to a continuum of learning that encourages students to engage with parents as they explore new and increasingly complex topics. It encourages students to be active learners, and continue learning outside of the classroom. But for that, parents and teachers need to work as a team.

In our classroom, we’ve also been using ClassDojo to share “big ideas” ― like the concept of growth mindset ― with both students and parents. Because shifting the way kids think about not just “what” but “how” they learn requires buy-in, support, and reinforcement at home as well. The first time I had a student finish another child’s sentence with: “Yet. You can’t do that…yet.” I knew we were on to something. Now, it’s commonplace and the word “yet” is plastered all over the small group table area where lessons are strictly differentiated and the children are most challenged. “Yet” reminds them of the power of their brain, and the classroom support system they have backing them up.

The sort of communication and transparency that technology now allows are why parents like Samantha Gallagher give me their trust. They understand that I believe in what I am doing; and they appreciate the transparency. There is nothing separating them from their child in my classroom. They can view measurable progress through the digital portfolio, and they are kept in the loop on their child’s education.

Trust and communication are what enabled me to explain to parents that no homework doesn’t mean no work. It’s why they believed in the potential for a more personal learning experience. It’s why they are opening their homes ― and minds ― to extend the learning experience.

At its core, that’s what “No Homework” is about. It’s about making it possible for kids to take what they’re learning in the classroom and use it at home. But most of all, it’s about ensuring our kids are surrounded by positive support and encouragement in every aspect of their lives. As teachers and parents, isn’t that what we should aim for?

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Mom Emails Son's Teacher to Opt Him Out of Homework After He Comes Home with Packet: 'We Are Done'

On TikTok, one mom describes how her son received a 15- to 20-page, double-sided August homework packet on the first day of school

• TikToker cayleyxo and her son faced a difficult moment after he came home with homework following his first days of kindergarten
• Cayley emailed his teacher, sharing that "we are done" with assignments
• Following comments from other parents and educators, the mom shared that she and her son's teacher were able to meet in the middle

For one mom, kindergarten homework was just not working.

In a now-viral TikTok , Arizona-based mom of three, Cayley (known as cayleyxo on social media), explains why she emailed her son's kindergarten teacher at his charter school to opt out of homework assignments. In the video, she describes how her son received a 15- to 20-page, double-sided August homework packet on the first day of school, which stressed him out.

"I sent my son's kindergarten teacher a cutesy little email saying, 'I'm sorry. Based on the stress, mental, physical anxiety it's causing my kid, we are done,' " the mom explains in the TikTok.

She adds that the email came after she and her son tried to work on the homework packet together. On Aug. 26, she had him sit down quietly during breakfast and work on finishing at least one or two pages of the packet because he was behind.

During that moment, Cayley says they both started crying.

"It was an emotional mess. I felt so guilty dropping him off at school," she says. "He didn’t want to be there. For the last two weeks, he told me he doesn’t even like school and doesn’t want to be there anymore, which hurts my mama heart because you’re 5. The only thing you should be worrying about is learning and what time snack time is."

"Work to live, we don’t live to work," she adds, explaining how she wants her kids to love school.

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Since posting, Cayley’s video has garnered almost 250,000 views and 1,600 comments from people sharing their reactions to the situation, including teachers offering their thoughts on homework.

"Kindergarten teacher here—it's normal for kids to not like school the first couple of weeks or even months!" one person wrote in the comments. "It’s a big adjustment, especially for kids who have never been to preschool or away from their parents. Hang in there, Mama. He’ll love it once he starts to make friends. As for homework, I agree with you. I never sent home homework unless parents specifically asked me, and I always let them know it was optional. I did, however, tell parents to read a book to their child every day, so that was their only 'homework.' "

"I’m a substitute teacher, and homework is SO outdated and unnecessary! Most teachers at the district I work for have made it a thing of the past, but some are still hanging on. Good for you, though!" another teacher replied.

Other parents also chimed into the conversation, one adding: "My kids get SO much homework. They’re GRADED on it too, starting in 1st grade public school! The pressure on these kids is insane."

"We had kinder orientation tonight and my son’s teacher said “homework! It’s kindergarten, I’m not giving homework. Just read with them.” And I thought “good because we ain’t gonna do it” 😂," another parent said.

On Sept. 7, Cayley posted a follow-up video to the TikTok , revealing that after emailing, the teacher reduced the homework to one page. She also included more interactive assignments like keeping a reading log and practicing sight words.

"I told her I would be up for meeting in the middle and working as a team because that is what we’re here for — the benefit of our children," Cayley says in the video. "This is your sign to maybe say something to your teacher, nicely and politely, if something doesn’t sit right with you at their school."

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