Homework Policy

Ballyshannon NS

 Homework Policy

 Introduction

Homework provides the children with the opportunity of revisiting learning experiences encountered during the school day and of practising the skills and concepts associated with those learning experiences. In the senior classes some homework is designed to challenge the children’s ability and provide opportunities for creativity. The children are expected to do their homework to the best of their ability – no more, no less.

1)                  Why give homework?

·         To re-inforce what the child learns during the day.

·         To provide a link between teacher and parents

·         To develop a child’s concentration skills and develop a work ethic

2)                  How often is homework given?

·         Homework is given on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but not on Fridays.  There are two exceptions :

¨      if homework has been neglected during the week

¨      in senior classes some project work is undertaken at weekends

·         Sometimes at the discretion of the class teacher or the principal, children are given “ homework off ” as a treat or as acknowledgment of some special occasion.

·         Please note extra homework may be sometimes be given during the week or at the weekend if a child has not done homework, made a suitable effort or presented untidy work.

3)                  What is the content of homework?

·         Ideally homework will contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and written tasks. 

·         This balance is not always possible and can vary considerably from day to day.  However, it should be noted that homework time devoted to reading and learning is as important as written work. 

·         Homework will regularly contain reading, spelling/word study, tables, written work, pieces to be “learned by heart”, drawing/colouring, collecting information/items and finishing work started in class.

·         Children often feel that reading and “learning by heart” is not real homework.  Parents can play an important role in listening to reading and items to be learned ensuring this work is done well. 

·         At certain times during the school year, homework may involve different activities related to various thematic weeks e.g. active homework/challenges during active week, creative challenges during creative week, etc.                  

4)                  How much (time) homework?

The following are guidelines for time spent at homework.  Different children will complete the same homework in different lengths of time.  Time spent will vary from day to day and also from the beginning to the end of the school year.  It is important to remember that it is the quality and not the quantity of homework that matters.  The following are general guidelines only –

Infant classes – 10 – 20 minutes

1st/2nd classes –  20 – 30 minutes

3rd/4th classes – 30 – 40 minutes

5th/6th classes – 40 – 60 minutes

5)                  How much help should parents give?

·                     Parents should try to help their children with homework by:

¨      providing them with a suitable place and time to do their homework

¨      to prevent interruptions or distractions, like T.V. or other children

·         Children should do written homework themselves and parents should only help when the child has difficulty

·         If a child has difficulty with homework, the parents should help the child to overcome the difficulty with further explanation or examples, but not by actually doing the homework for the child.  In this case the parent should write a note to the teacher explaining the problem.

·         Shared reading is not homework in the regular sense and it is simply meant to be an enjoyable exercise between parent and child.  If it’s not enjoyable, shared reading should not be done.

6)                  How is homework communicated?

·                     Homework is written into the homework journal from 1st class up. It is also noted on the Aladdin system for all classes

·                     In the Infant classes, from time to time, the teacher may send home a note when new homework is introduced, e.g. shift from sound work to blending work to readers, etc.

·                     The pupil’s journal is an important record of the child’s homework.  It is also a valuable means of communication between parents and teachers.

·                     Ideally, all written messages to your child’s teacher should be put in the homework journal (additional pages available at the end of the journal) or through Aladdin

7)                  How often should parents monitor homework?

·                     Parents should check and sign a child’s homework journal every evening.

·                     The pupil’s journal is an important record of the child’s homework.  It is also a valuable means of communication between parents and teachers.

·                     Ideally, all written messages to your child’s teacher should be put in the homework journal (additional pages available at the end of the journal) or through Aladdin

·                     Please check that your child records their homework neatly in the correct page and ticks each item of homework when completed.