Homework bridges the gap between learning at school and learning at home. It reinforces work done in class and helps develop skills such as research and time management.
Homework helps to establish the habits of study, concentration and self discipline and allows parents/carers to have the opportunity to see the educational progress of their child. While homework is a recognised and valuable learning tool, it is not mandatory.
Expectations for homework
The expectations for homework are:
- Homework should be relevant, meaningful and measurable.
- Homework for students of all achievement levels should develop from classwork that has been clearly and carefully explained.
- Students should be given training in the specific skills required to effectively complete homework.
- Teachers should ensure that homework requirements are carefully planned and corrected as soon as possible.
- Where possible homework should give students opportunities to develop as individuals by encouraging the use of their preferred learning styles and varied methods of presentation.
- Homework demands on time should be relatively predictable and evenly spaced.
- Homework is given over a 7 or 14 day cycle.
Types of homework
The two types of homework you can expect your child to bring home are:
- Practice and consolidation exercises help students remember and practise newly acquired skills, e.g. home reading, practising spelling words, memorising maths, tables.
- Extension homework encourages students to pursue knowledge individually and imaginatively e.g. researching local news, retrieving items from the internet.
Recommended daily time use
The amount of time children should spend on homework each day is:
- Kindergarten - 5 to 10 minutes
- Year 1 and Year 2 - 10 minutes
- Year 3 and Year 4 - 20 minutes
- Year 5 and Year 6 - 30 minutes
- Year 6 - A homework grid for Year 6 may be used.
Homework could include:
- home reading
- sounds practice
- spelling activities
- maths activities
- and writing.
Roles
Teachers should:
- Implement all components of the homework/home study policy.
- Check and correct homework. This can be done as teacher or peer correction.
- Completion of homework tasks needs to be recorded by teachers in class mark books. Such recording makes report writing accurate and valid.
- Teachers should establish acceptable procedures for students who have difficulty with homework/home study eg. a parental note in the homework book or phone call.
- Incentives and awards will be determined by the school.
- Ensure homework is recorded in student homework books (where appropriate).
- Varied homework strategies will be offered dependent on the age/stage of student.
- Failure to complete homework will not result in punishment for the students but will be recorded.
- In the event of students not having appropriate technology available at home, consideration will be given by teachers.
Parents should:
- Take an active interest in their child's homework.
- Support their child in setting aside time for homework/home study.
- Provide a dedicated place for homework which is preferably quiet and free from distractions.
- Assist teachers to monitor homework by signing completed work if requested.
- Communicate with teachers any concerns about the nature of the homework or their child's attitude to homework.
- Encourage their child to read and take an interest in current affairs.