St. Joseph's Homework Policy
RATIONALE
Homework, when undertaken, provides time for the student to review their knowledge and skills through tasks set by the classroom teacher. We believe that the student is responsible for completing and returning to the school the set tasks at the arranged time.
As John Hattie states, for homework to have optimal effect: “Five to ten minutes has the same effect of one hour to two hours. The worst thing you can do with homework is give kids projects. The best thing you can do is to reinforce something you’ve already learnt.” (Visible Learning, 2014)
Aims:
Homework is set for a variety of purposes and aims to:
● Provide consolidation of work undertaken in the classroom.
● Reinforce and enhance knowledge and skills, particularly in English and Mathematics.
● Provide parental awareness of the teaching and learning program.
● Assist students in the development of necessary study and organisational skills.
Implementation:
● Homework needs to have a direct link to the classroom program at the time.
● All students need to read on a daily basis.
● Homework should follow a predictable pattern from week to week.
● Teachers have a routine for collection of homework with correction and timely feedback provided through self-correction, teacher correction or peer to peer correction.
● Parents receive explicit instructions on the general and specific procedures for homework in each grade through regular class newsletters.
● Homework will be set Monday and returned Friday unless otherwise stipulated or negotiated by the teacher.
● Students will be issued homework books or a display folder to store work.
● Sensitivity will be shown to those students unable to have access to online resources or the G.A.F.E platform.
● Homework will be modified to suit the needs of the student.
Overview of Homework for Year Levels:
Prep:
● Reading daily for approx. 15 minutes (parent to the child, or the child reads to the parent – this is essential for all students).
● Practise high-frequency words.
● Family projects or activities that link to Units of Work will be sent home as required.
Year 1 & 2:
● Reading every night for approx. 15 minutes (essential) and this may include accessing online reading materials, such as ‘Bug Club’.
● Family projects or activities that link to Units of Work will be sent home as required.
● Regular practise of spelling- linked to spelling focus in the classroom.
Year 3 & 4:
● Daily reading for approx. 20 minutes (essential).
● Review of times tables, number facts and spelling - linked to spelling focus in the classroom.
● Research and the gathering of additional information or materials to link with the current unit of work being undertaken in the classroom (when necessary). This research material can then be used within the classroom during project based learning activities, so that students are taught the process of project work by the classroom teacher.
● A balance of book/online work.
● Homework and reading to be recorded in the student diary and signed by the parent prior to submission.
Year 5 & 6:
● Daily reading for approx. 20 minutes (essential).
● Review of times tables, number facts and spelling- linked to spelling focus in the classroom.
● Research and the gathering of additional information or materials to link with the current Unit of Work being undertaken in the classroom (when necessary).
● A balance of book/online work.
● Homework and reading to be recorded in the student diary and signed by the parent prior to submission.
● Optional extras may include online activities, such as Study Ladder, Matific or other online resources etc…
Evaluation:
The Homework Policy will be reviewed annually.
Homework, when undertaken, provides time for the student to review their knowledge and skills through tasks set by the classroom teacher. We believe that the student is responsible for completing and returning to the school the set tasks at the arranged time.
As John Hattie states, for homework to have optimal effect: “Five to ten minutes has the same effect of one hour to two hours. The worst thing you can do with homework is give kids projects. The best thing you can do is to reinforce something you’ve already learnt.” (Visible Learning, 2014)
Aims:
Homework is set for a variety of purposes and aims to:
● Provide consolidation of work undertaken in the classroom.
● Reinforce and enhance knowledge and skills, particularly in English and Mathematics.
● Provide parental awareness of the teaching and learning program.
● Assist students in the development of necessary study and organisational skills.
Implementation:
● Homework needs to have a direct link to the classroom program at the time.
● All students need to read on a daily basis.
● Homework should follow a predictable pattern from week to week.
● Teachers have a routine for collection of homework with correction and timely feedback provided through self-correction, teacher correction or peer to peer correction.
● Parents receive explicit instructions on the general and specific procedures for homework in each grade through regular class newsletters.
● Homework will be set Monday and returned Friday unless otherwise stipulated or negotiated by the teacher.
● Students will be issued homework books or a display folder to store work.
● Sensitivity will be shown to those students unable to have access to online resources or the G.A.F.E platform.
● Homework will be modified to suit the needs of the student.
Overview of Homework for Year Levels:
Prep:
● Reading daily for approx. 15 minutes (parent to the child, or the child reads to the parent – this is essential for all students).
● Practise high-frequency words.
● Family projects or activities that link to Units of Work will be sent home as required.
Year 1 & 2:
● Reading every night for approx. 15 minutes (essential) and this may include accessing online reading materials, such as ‘Bug Club’.
● Family projects or activities that link to Units of Work will be sent home as required.
● Regular practise of spelling- linked to spelling focus in the classroom.
Year 3 & 4:
● Daily reading for approx. 20 minutes (essential).
● Review of times tables, number facts and spelling - linked to spelling focus in the classroom.
● Research and the gathering of additional information or materials to link with the current unit of work being undertaken in the classroom (when necessary). This research material can then be used within the classroom during project based learning activities, so that students are taught the process of project work by the classroom teacher.
● A balance of book/online work.
● Homework and reading to be recorded in the student diary and signed by the parent prior to submission.
Year 5 & 6:
● Daily reading for approx. 20 minutes (essential).
● Review of times tables, number facts and spelling- linked to spelling focus in the classroom.
● Research and the gathering of additional information or materials to link with the current Unit of Work being undertaken in the classroom (when necessary).
● A balance of book/online work.
● Homework and reading to be recorded in the student diary and signed by the parent prior to submission.
● Optional extras may include online activities, such as Study Ladder, Matific or other online resources etc…
Evaluation:
The Homework Policy will be reviewed annually.