4.13 HOMEWORK

POLICY FOR ST JOHN’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

1.PURPOSE

1.1Homework provides a positive opportunity for children to share their work/learning with others at home (explanation of what is being done clarifies thoughts, reinforces learning, highlights area of need.

1.2 Enables the child to develop desirable study habits;

1.3Provides opportunities for children to take responsibility for an increasing amount of their own learning.

AIMS:

  • To support and extend classroom teaching
  • To develop positive study habits
  • To develop a responsibility for self-learning.

2.IMPLEMENTATION

We note that:

2.1Not all children will complete the set work in the same time;

2.2 Children and families have many commitments;

2.3Work set should be easily supervised by parent/guardian;

2.4Homework should not involve excessive demands on families for facilities, reference material, time and/or expertise;

2.5Reading is a valued and integral part of homework and commences in Kindergarten.

  1. TEACHERS RESPONSIBILITY

3.1Inform families and students of class Homework Policy;

3.2Set work on any four nights per week, days to be negotiated - extra or weekly tasks may be set on weekends to facilitate the use of community facilities;

3.3Consider a range of options for children to complete tasks (i.e., contract over a week, within two nights);

3.4 Set tasks related to current programme;

3.5Provide a guide/framework as to the expectation and emphasis of the work to be completed, especially when tasks or projects are new;

3.6Allow time for children to copy homework from the board into diary;

3.7Check work done;

3.8Inform child and family of incomplete work.

3.9It is acceptable for teachers to assign unfinished classroom activities as homework tasks.

4.PARENTS RESPONSIBILITY

We ask that Parents:

4.1Provide the opportunity and an appropriate environment for their child to complete homework successfully (i.e., desk or table to work on - television and radio off);

4.2Sign their child’s.

4.3Inform the teacher if the child is having difficulty;

4.4 Inform the teacher if the homework isn’t completed, (e.g. via a note in the diary.)

5.STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITIES

5.1Accurately record tasks;

5.2Ensure they understand the tasks to be undertaken;

5.3Complete tasks set in the time frame;

5.4Ask for assistance as needed;

5.5Negotiate with family when they will do homework;

5.6Have necessary equipment to complete tasks (i.e. books, pens, coloured pencils, etc.)

5.7Inform parent/guardian of task(s) to be undertaken;

5.8Take diary to parents for information and signing;

6.RECOMMENDED TIMES (at teacher’s discretion)

Year / Time
Min / Max
K-2 / 10 / 20
3 / 10 / 20
4 / 10 / 20
5 / 20 / 40
6 / 30 / 60

This policy was last ratified by School Council in 29/10/2007