1 PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU Developing our Homework Policy Trinity CE Primary School
Feb 24, 2016
1PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
Developing our Homework Policy
Trinity CE Primary School
2PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
Definition
Homework is any task assigned by school teachers intended for children to carry out during non-school hours.
3PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
What is the current practice in our school?Last updated Homework Policy 2011. In summary• Low Level; avoid stress on families; allowing children to do activities
out of school without the worry about completing homework.• Emphasis on Reading, Spelling, Maths Worksheets. But more
challenging homework to be given in year 6.• Related to the context of the classroom, matched to children’s
ability, deadlines shared and set and agreed as a year group / phase.
• A few evenings given to allow homework tasks to be completed.
4PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
Activity 2: Research
• What does the research say? If parents were to trawl through the research, they’d find little or no evidence of a connection between homework and academic gains in the primary school years. However, supporters of homework claim that homework promotes:
good work habits,
a sense of responsibility,
a connection between school and home, and
an outlook that learning happens everywhere.
5PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
3 key considerations
It's important to remember that some people object to homework for reasons that aren't related to the dispute about whether research might show that homework provides academic benefits. They argue that
(a) six hours a day of academics are enough, and
children should have the chance after school to explore other
interests and develop in other ways -- or be able simply to
relax in the same way that most adults like to relax
after work; and
(b) the decision about what children do during
family time should be made by families, not schools.
6PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
3 key considerations
When parents take on an active/teaching role and consolidate the skills being taught in the classroom outcomes are improved for Maths and Reading. In contrast to children completing easy tasks independently or struggling to complete more challenging tasks independently.
7PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
Activity 2: Research
My belief
that teachers continue to look for ways to make homework relevant, engaging, reinforcing, and independently achievable or challenging with support.
I do not subscribe to the common belief that children must have homework for homework sake;
Homework should be a flexible response to how the child is achieving in the classroom. That parents are a valuable resource to build upon learning if for whatever reason children need to complete tasks, go over tasks, or explore further.
8PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
What this might look like.Basic skills of reading spelling and maths should be
given routinely. Consolidation of skills that children need to make progress such as developing their confidence and competency in reading as well as comprehending what they are reading, times tables, spellings, confidence in using the 4 operations
Homework which supports progress of individual children; it is the teacher’s responsibility to decide when homework such as this should be given; not necessarily to all and not necessarily to a timetable.
Optional homework grids are hugely popular in many schools leaving the decision to families and the children themselves who are often inspired to explore and be creative depending upon the options given. These would be tailored to the topic happening in the classroom so that there is relevance and purpose.
9PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
Quality
QUALITYEffective homework tasks are:• appropriate for each child’s age and ability.• relevant to each child’s needs and builds on work undertaken in class.• purposeful and designed to meet specific learning goals. • Children who want to do the work; because they love their learning.• clearly stated and requirements made explicit during class time.• varied and challenging, but achievable.• supported by teacher strategies for children who have difficulties
with homework.
The quality of the homework assigned is likely to be more important than the quantity
10PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
Manageability
MANAGEABILITY.Homework should: • be manageable for both children and teachers• consider the children and their family when they have other
commitments, such as sport, cultural activities, tuition outside of school hours.
The quality of the homework assigned is likely to be more important than the quantity
11PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW HOMEWORK POLICY NEALS MAY 2012 WWW.SCHOOLS.NSW.EDU.AU
Communication
Collaborative
• collaboration in the development of the school’s Homework Policy• provision of clear information between teachers, parents/carers
and children regarding homework expectations and the completion of tasks.
• open communication lines.• guidance and assistance for those having difficulties completing
their homework.