Helping your child with homework
The purpose of homework, like schoolwork, is learning. Homework is important for students of all ages, as it helps them build on what they have already learnt in the classroom, and prepares them for the next stage of learning.
Homework helps to bridge the gap between home and school. It should be seen by teachers, students, parents and caregivers as a vital part of the home-school partnership which supports young people while they learn.
Responsibilities
Parents and Care-givers can help by:
*supporting students in completing homework
providing, if possible, a dedicated place and desk for homework and study,
*assisting teachers to monitor homework by being aware of the amount of homework being set,
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signing homework tasks and returning the homework on the due date
communicating with teachers about any concern with homework or their childs approach to homework
The task of the student is to :
*complete homework with in the given time-frame
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maintain a homework record for their teachers and parents
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show their homework to their parents and guardians, and ask them to sign it.
Homework Guidelines
The early years (K 2)
Homework provides real opportunities for children to learn at home, assisted by their parents and caregivers. Most everyday activities, at home and in play, provide opportunities for parents to help young children develop their Literacy and Numeracy skills, their problem solving abilities and a wide range of other skills and abilities.
Parents can greatly assist their young childs learning by talking with them about school and by becoming involved in their homework activities.
Kindergarten Generally teachers will not set formal homework in Kindergarten, however they will be encouraging all students to read on a regular basis. Parents can assist by: reading to their child; discussing what has been read; giving praise encouraging their child to read in a friendly, relaxed manner.
Years 1 and 2 Children in Year 1 will be introduced to formal homework activities involving: home reading schemes; library borrowing; sight words; spelling words and related activity sheets. These activities will be extended in Year 2 and will usually total about 2 hours per week, by the end of Year 2.
Primary School - Years 3 to 6
As students progress through primary school, they will increasingly work independently on their homework. Most homework activities will be in the areas of English, Human Society and Its Environment and Mathematics. Students will also be given homework in other Key Learning Areas. Activities may include completion of work, practising skills, additional formal bookwork tasks, reading, research, observation and data collection or designing and making.
As a guide, students should complete about 2 hours of homework per week in Year 3, increasing to about four hours per week in Year 6.