GILSON NATIONAL SCHOOL
Homework Policy
Homework is an integral link in the chain of communication between school and home. Parents can monitor the progress of their child through reference to homework diaries and liaison with teachers to strengthen home-school links. Homework is an ideal opportunity to foster an educational partnership between school and home.
Rationale
The need to draft a homework policy can be attributed to the following;
It is an essential part of primary education as it reinforces what children learn at school. This policy aims:
1. Why give homework?/ Aims and Objectives
2. How often is homework given?
3. What is the content of homework?
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:
Junior Infants
Senior Infants 15- 20mins
Rang 1
Rang 2 30 - 40mins
Rang 3
Rang 4 50 – 60mins
Rang 5
Rang 6 1 hr – 1hr 10mins
5. Pupils Should;
6. Parents should:
7. How often do teachers monitor homework?
Due to class numbers it is very difficult for teachers to correct homework on a daily basis. As children get older and learn to work independently some items of homework are checked less often e.g. every second day. Some items of homework and class work may be checked by the children themselves under the direction of the teacher. This can be a beneficial part of the learning process for children.
8. What happens if homework is not done?
If homework is not done or completed on a regular basis the child will spend lunchtime in detention under the supervision of the school principal. If the situation persists the principal will bring the matter to the attention of the parent and arrange a meeting to discuss how the matter can be resolved.
9. Pupils with learning difficulties.
Parents of children with learning difficulties should be in close contact with the class teacher and learning support/resource teacher regarding the child’s difficulties. Appropriate homework which is achievable by the child will be given to children with learning difficulties.
10. Evaluation
This policy has been ratified ratified by the Board of Management. All school policies are available to parents on request. Parents of the Junior Infants and newcomers to the school will receive a copy of this document commencing next year.
Homework Policy
Homework is an integral link in the chain of communication between school and home. Parents can monitor the progress of their child through reference to homework diaries and liaison with teachers to strengthen home-school links. Homework is an ideal opportunity to foster an educational partnership between school and home.
Rationale
The need to draft a homework policy can be attributed to the following;
It is an essential part of primary education as it reinforces what children learn at school. This policy aims:
- To strengthen home-school links
- Ensuring clarity as to the recommended time to be spent on homework.
- Develop a whole-school approach to the issue of homework.
1. Why give homework?/ Aims and Objectives
- Homework fosters independence, self-reliance, self-esteem, co-operation, responsibility and life-long learning.
- To consolidate what the child learns during the day.
- To develop a child’s concentration skills and develop a work ethic.
- To enable the children to develop a sense of responsibility and independence.
- To foster self-discipline.
- Homework is meant to be achievable by a child, i.e. it provides an opportunity to practice work already done. It is normally prepared by the teacher in class. However, sometimes with senior classes, some homework is designed to challenge children’s ability and provide opportunities for creativity. Also, children with special needs or children attending learning support may be given homework to suit their particular needs by the class teacher.
- Children are expected to do their homework to the best of their individual ability – no more, no less.
- To promote consistency and a uniform approach to homework across all classes.
2. How often is homework given?
- Homework is given four nights a week.
- Sometimes at the discretion of the class teacher or the principal, children may be given ‘homework off’ as a treat or as acknowledgment of some special occasion.
- Children get homework off if they accumulate 20 stickers on their stamp books (2nd -6th). Teachers in classes from Junior Infants to First Class give homework off at their own discretion.
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, tables, written work, and 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.
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:
Junior Infants
Senior Infants 15- 20mins
Rang 1
Rang 2 30 - 40mins
Rang 3
Rang 4 50 – 60mins
Rang 5
Rang 6 1 hr – 1hr 10mins
5. Pupils Should;
- Enter homework accurately in homework diary and ensure that they take home the relevant books and copies. Complete homework assignments to the best of their abilities.
- Children, particularly in the senior classes should organise themselves which helps promote independent organisational skills and develop good study practice.
6. Parents should:
- Encourage a positive attitude towards homework in all subjects from an early age.
- Parents should try to help their children with homework by (a) providing them with a suitable place and time to do their homework, (b) to prevent interruptions or distractions, like screens, music or other children.
- Encourage children to work independently as far as possible. Resist over-helping. The parent should help the child overcome the difficulty with further explanation or examples, but not by actually doing the homework for the child. In that case the parent should write a note to the teacher explaining the problem.
- Parents play an important role in their child’s development as a reader. Parents should listen to their child reading and show an interest in the content they have read. They also should assist with Guided Reading and ensure that the child has read the assigned book before the child returns to school. Reading practice is a priority for all children.
- If for some other reason a child presents themselves at school without their homework, the parent should write a note to explain this on the child’s homework journal.
- Encourage good presentation and neatness within a reasonable time.
- Sign the homework, checking that all homework is complete. Check that the child has all necessary books, homework journal, copies, pencils etc. that are needed for the next day.
7. How often do teachers monitor homework?
Due to class numbers it is very difficult for teachers to correct homework on a daily basis. As children get older and learn to work independently some items of homework are checked less often e.g. every second day. Some items of homework and class work may be checked by the children themselves under the direction of the teacher. This can be a beneficial part of the learning process for children.
8. What happens if homework is not done?
If homework is not done or completed on a regular basis the child will spend lunchtime in detention under the supervision of the school principal. If the situation persists the principal will bring the matter to the attention of the parent and arrange a meeting to discuss how the matter can be resolved.
9. Pupils with learning difficulties.
Parents of children with learning difficulties should be in close contact with the class teacher and learning support/resource teacher regarding the child’s difficulties. Appropriate homework which is achievable by the child will be given to children with learning difficulties.
10. Evaluation
- In-class corrections
- Check homework diaries
- Parent-teacher meetings
- Teacher observation
- Feedback from parents and from pupils
This policy has been ratified ratified by the Board of Management. All school policies are available to parents on request. Parents of the Junior Infants and newcomers to the school will receive a copy of this document commencing next year.