The Board of Management of Scoil Bhride PS recognises homework is an integral link in the chain of communication between school and home. Parents can monitor the progress of their children through continual reference to homework diaries and liaison with teachers.
Aims
In general, the broad aims of this homework policy are to:
- promote the use of homework to consolidate learning and work being done at school
- promote consistency and a uniform approach to homework across all teachers and class levels
- keep parents in touch and involved in their child’s / children’s education
- develop and encourage the habit of independent study
- enable children to develop a sense of responsibility and independence
- enhance self-esteem through the provision of a work menu that is doable
- further develop links between home and school
Guidelines for Teachers
- Homework should be an integral part of the subject being taught and given in order to consolidate work done – not as an exercise in isolation
- Homework should never be given unless the teacher has thoroughly prepared and explained what is to be done.
- Homework must be consistent – a small amount and given in such a way as to form a pattern for the children so that they are more likely to remember it.
- Teachers will check that homework is being done and will give extra help where difficulties occur.
- Allotted time that teachers are to expect the average child in each class to spend at homework
- Infants 10 – 15 minutes
- 1st & 2nd Class 20 – 30 minutes
- 3rd & 4th Class 30 – 40 minutes
- 5th & 6th Class 40 – 60 minutes
- Where pupils are receiving additional support from a member of the SEN Team the class teacher and SEN Teacher will collaborate in relation to the nature and type of homework the child is to receive. Homework should not exceed the times indicated above
- Homework is given from Monday to Thursday. Normally there is no homework at weekends.
- Teachers of the Junior Infant Classes should communicate and explain the role, type and nature of homework to parents at their meetings in September and by sending home a note when new homework is introduced e.g. shift from phonics work to word walls, from word walls to book and workbooks
- Teachers of Senior Infant Classes should communicate the nature and type of homework children are expected to complete through a note at the beginning of the year and subsequently when new types of homework are introduced.
- Teachers of 1st – 6th class pupils should provide adequate time of children to record their homework in their homework diaries and ensure children take home the necessary copies and books required to complete their homework.
- All teachers should constantly remind children that part of their homework is that they should make sure that they are prepared for the next school day – sharpen pencils, return all items into their folder/school bag etc.
Homework Sample Guideline for Teachers
| Junior Infants | Weekly· Sound copy
· 1 worksheet · Something for sound table · Later in year word walls/readers |
| Senior Infants | Weekly· Maths sheet (Mathemagic) (Twice)
· Phonics sheet (Twice) · Sightwords & reader – later in year · Reader and workbook – later in year |
| 1st & 2nd Class | Daily· Maths/English / SESE Task
· Reader · Spellings and My Spelling Workbook · Sum Detective (2nd) / Mathemagic · Tables (after October’s Mid-term) |
| 3rd & 4th Class | Daily· Sum Detective Workbook / Mathemagic
· English Spellings & My Spelling Workbook · Irish Spellings (2 per night – 3rd, 3 per night – 4th) · Reading – Irish & English · Tables · English/Irish/Maths/SESE Task |
| 5th & 6th Class | Daily· Sum Detective Workbook/ Mathemagic
· English Spellings & My Spelling Workbook · Irish Spellings (4 per night – 5th & 6th) · Reading – Irish & English · Tables · 2 Tasks – English/Irish/Maths/SESE |
Spellings Guidelines for Teachers
| Junior Infants | 1 letter a week(Development: 5/6 blending words a week & 1 tricky word) |
| Senior Infants | Revising letters (3 a week)Blend sounds (2 a week) (4 words per blend) |
| 1st & 2nd Class | Read all spellings at start of weekBlock per night – English
Method of learning: Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check |
| 3rd & 4th Class | Read all spellings at start of weekBlock per night – English
3rd: 2 Irish Spellings per night 4th: 3 Irish Spellings per night Method of learning: Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check |
| 5th & 6th Class | Read all spellings at start of weekBlock per night – English
5th & 6th: 4 Irish Spellings per night Method of learning: Look, Say, Cover, Write, Check |
Tables Guidelines for Teachers
| Junior Infants | N/A |
| Senior Infants | N/A |
| 1st & 2nd Class | Daily· Addition facts (after October mid-term 1st class)
· Subtraction (after October mid-term 2nd class) |
| 3rd & 4th Class | Daily· Addition (Revision/Reinforcement)
· Subtraction (Revision/Reinforcement) · Multiplication (after October mid-term 4th class) · Division (after October mid-term 4th class) |
| 5th & 6th Class | Daily· Addition (Revision/Reinforcement)
· Subtraction (Revision/Reinforcement) · Multiplication (Revision/Reinforcement) · Division (Revision/Reinforcement) |
Expectations of Pupils
It is expected that pupils will:
- Return their homework on time
- Complete and present their homework to the best of their ability
- Appreciate that study tasks and learning spellings and tables are as important as written tasks.
- bring a note to school explaining why a task is incomplete, if homework has not been completed.
Sanctions
If a child has not completed all of their homework, a note should be provided by their parent, otherwise sanctions will apply. When implementing this policy, there must be leeway. A teacher will always use his/her discretion when implementing a sanction, taking due regard for issues surrounding the matter, the regularity of such an occurrence etc.
- At the teacher’s discretion, the task will be completed to a satisfactory standard at home or during part of a pupil’s lunch break.
- A homework slip will also be sent home to be signed by the child’s parent/guardian. This slip will indicate whether the homework was not submitted, incomplete, unsatisfactory, or for another reason.
- If a pupil receives three of these slips in a term, a meeting will be organised between the class teacher and the child’s parents. If the issue persists, the matter will proceed down the route of the Code of Behaviour with the Principal’s involvement.
- Duplicates of notes will be stored in the pupil’s file.
- A child may be given Constructive Extra Homework – this is in line with the school’s Code of Behaviour. Please see Behaviour Policy for details.
Guidelines for Patents
The school encourages the active involvement of parents in enabling their child to take responsibility and work independently. Parents are encouraged to:
- Establish a set routine and time for your child to do his/her homework (please see below)
- Supervise children’s homework, checking and signing the homework journal on completion
- Be a resource for your child, but don’t hover over him or her with constant advice or do their work for your son/daughter. Remember that sometimes the best help is a word of encouragement, or an acknowledgement of the effort that is being made – a smile, a hug.
- Forward a note to the teacher if homework has not been completed due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Remember that time devoted to reading and learning is as important as written work.
- If homework causes stress or worry to the child, parents are encouraged to convey these anxieties to the class teacher. All children from first to sixth have a homework diary that parents are required to sign. The homework diary acts as a means of communication between class teacher and parent.
Please Note:
- Shared reading e.g. of library books, is not homework in the regular sense and it is simply meant to be an enjoyable exercise between parent and child.
- Homework is not linked to behaviour but occasionally pupils are rewarded with reduced homework or a child may be given constructive extra homework.
Creating the Homework Habit
Family situations, each one unique, undoubtedly influence a child’s approach to homework and learning. Parents can help children develop good working habits. Please show your child that homework is an important priority and you value its worth by offering the following kinds of support.
- Sit down with your child and together schedule a time for completing homework assignments. Homework habits are more easily formed if children work at the same time each day.
- Help your child choose an appropriate study location – a quiet place, a desk or table for written work or a comfortable chair for reading.
- Provide your child with good lighting and necessary materials such as pencils, coloured pencils, paper and a dictionary.
- Ask your child to describe the assignment before beginning and later show you the completed work or summarize what he or she learned.
- If your child does need help, look over the material before you begin so you are familiar with the assignment.
- If your child becomes frustrated put the assignment away for a while.
- Please be available to check whether the assignment has been completed.
- Praise your child for completing homework.
- When possible, help your child relate homework assignments to everyday life and skills.
In general, be encouraging and supportive, your attitude is contagious.
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