Rationale:

Homework definition

Homework is an instructional technique that provides students with opportunities to deepen and practise their understanding and skills, relative to content that has been presented to them.

Homework is purposeful learning that occurs outside of the classroom which is set by the classroom teacher.  Homework benefits students by complementing classroom learning and providing opportunities for students to be responsible for their own learning.

Homework provides an extension to our differentiated curriculum by offering students tailored tasks that either enrich or support their learning.

Aims:

• To ensure that homework serves the diverse needs of students whilst ensuring that the educational needs of these students are met.

Implementation:

• The school’s homework policy will be available to staff and parents
• Classroom teachers will regularly set and discuss homework tasks with students (to allow for clarifying words, questions and provide examples where needed)
• Homework will enable practice of classroom learning, prepare for new learning and /or expand on learning that has occurred
• Each set task must be purposeful, meaningful and relevant to the current or previous classroom curriculum
• The purpose of homework should be identified and articulated [learning intent/aim/goal]
• Teachers will provide feedback on set homework, to the student, either in the form of a comment or against set criteria. Peers may on occasion provide feedback on set homework
• Each professional learning team will send home a homework outline at the beginning of the year which clearly states the expectations of homework for that year
• Reading will comprise at least half of the nightly homework allocation for each year level
• Consideration will be given to students who are not able to complete the set homework during the school week. Parents are expected to sign the Homework Record Sheet or Diary, on a regular basis or as requested by the teaching team
• Parents may negotiate with the class teacher regarding completing homework during the weekend and or school holidays
• Parents may discuss homework expectations when students are going on a personal holiday, however it is not the teachers responsibility to prepare such homework
• Students may use digital tools such as laptops, video cameras, iPads etc. for completing homework
• Teachers setting tasks that include the use of digital tools, are expected to set time constraints
• Homework tasks may be published on the Ultranet
• Students may also be asked to upload completed homework onto the Ultranet

Preps

Homework will consist of:

• reading of texts/activities to, with and by parents

Homework may consist of:

• simple reinforcement tasks associated with classroom activities
• gathering of additional information or materials
• reading of High Frequency words
• spelling of High Frequency words

Homework will generally not exceed 10 minutes per day and will not be set on weekends or during vacation periods.  Reading should comprise most of the 10 minute homework time allocation.

Years 1 and 2

Homework will consist of:

• reading of texts/activities to, with and by parents

Homework may consist of:

• simple reinforcement tasks associated with classroom activities
• gathering of additional information or materials
• unfinished classroom activities as homework tasks
• reading of High Frequency words
• spelling of High Frequency words and individual words

Homework will generally not exceed 15 minutes per day and will not be set on weekends or during vacation periods.  Reading should comprise at least 10 minutes of the homework time allocation.

Years 3 and 4

Homework will consist of:

• reading of texts/activities to, with and by parents
• or independent reading

Homework may consist of:

• simple reinforcement tasks associated with classroom activities
• gathering of additional information or materials
• unfinished classroom activities as homework tasks
• spelling of High Frequency words and individual words

Homework will generally not exceed 15-20 minutes per day and will not be set on weekends or during vacation periods.  Reading should comprise at least 10 minutes of the homework time allocation.

Years 5 – 6

Homework will consist of:

• independent reading on a daily basis

Homework may consist of:

•   reinforcement tasks associated with classroom activities
• tasks such as continuation of classroom work, projects, assignments, and research
• unfinished classroom activities as homework tasks
• spelling of High Frequency words and individual words

Homework will generally not exceed 30 minutes per day and will not be set on weekends or during vacation periods.  Reading should comprise at least 15 minutes of the homework time allocation.

Types of Homework

Practise exercises – providing students with the opportunities to apply new knowledge, or to review, revise and reinforce newly acquired skills – such as:

• completing consolidation exercises for mathematics – memorisation of tables multiplication facts
• practising spelling words
• reading for pleasure
• writing tasks/essays
• practising and playing musical instruments
• practising physical education skills
• preparing for assignments/projects

Parental Responsibility. Parents can help children by:

• encouraging regular nightly reading
• provide a place for their child to do their homework, allow time to do it and provide appropriate resources
• encouraging a regular daily session to examine and complete homework, helping to balance the amount of time spent between homework and recreational activities
• establish a consistent schedule for completing homework
• understand their child’s homework expectations
• discuss homework tasks with their child. Ask questions about their child’s understanding of the task
• communicate to the teacher if homework tasks are too difficult for their child
• monitoring the time taken to complete the homework tasks and give feedback to the teacher as to whether the amount of homework can be completed in the designated time
• sign the Homework Record Sheet as requested by the teacher [nightly or weekly]
• encouraging participation in family activities such as board games
• discussing the texts that have been read by the child.

Students who do not complete set homework tasks will be followed up by the class teacher. Depending on the circumstances, parents may need to be contacted.

Evaluation: This policy will be reviewed as part of the school’s three year review cycle.