Supporting Your Child’s Work at Home
Homework is set by a student’s teacher to provide the student with flexible opportunities to consolidate their classroom learning, to be educationally appropriate for a student’s age and ability level and to involve family members in their learning. The setting of homework takes into account the need for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes sufficient time for family, recreation and cultural pursuits.
Homework enhances student learning, therefore it:
• is purposeful and relevant to students needs
• is appropriate to the phase of learning
• is appropriate to the capability of the student
• develops the student’s independence as a learner
• is varied, challenging and clearly related to class work
• allows for student commitment to recreational, employment, family and cultural activities.
Homework needs to be appropriate to students’ learning needs
Homework can engage students in independent learning to complement work undertaken in class through:
• revision and critical reflection to consolidate learning (practising for mastery)
• applying knowledge and skills in new contexts (a topic of interest, an authentic local issue)
• pursuing knowledge individually and imaginatively (inquiry related activities that may include investigating, researching, writing, designing, making)
• preparing for forthcoming classroom learning (collecting relevant materials, items, information).
Homework needs to be appropriate to particular phases of learning
The following is to operate as a guide in determining the amount of set homework that students might be expected to undertake.
In the Early Phase of Learning (Prep to Year 3) many activities at home or in play can assist children to develop literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills.
Homework tasks may include:
> daily reading to, with, and by parents/caregivers or other family members
> linking concepts with familiar activities such as shopping, preparation of food, local environment and family outings
> conversations about what is happening at school
> preparation for oral presentations
> opportunities to write for meaningful purposes.
The times indicated below are based on a 4 night week
* Prep, generally students will not be set homework.
* Year 1 (5 to 10 minutes per day)
* Year 2 (10 to 15 minutes per day)
* Year 3 (15 to 20 minutes per day)
In the Middle Phase (Year 4 to Year 6) some homework can be completed daily or over a weekly or fortnightly period and may include those ideas above as well as:
> daily independent reading
> be coordinated across different subject areas
> extension of class work, projects and research.
> Using strategies, games and laptops to practice tables, spelling, handwriting and typing.
> Reflections on learning
The times indicated below are based on a 4 night week
* Years 4 – 6 (30 to 45 minutes per day)