Suggested Homework Practice
What is Homework?
Homework is relevant learning activities that are associated with the school program and which are completed outside classroom time. Homework is a planned part of the educational process designed to enhance student learning, and is directly connected to The Ontario Curriculum Learning Expectations, Learning Skills, and Ministry of Education Reporting Guidelines. Homework is a co-operative effort between home and school involving parents, teachers, and students. Homework should only cover material taught in class and understood by the student involving clear, purposeful, relevant and engaging activities.
TYPES OF HOMEWORK
- Practice – Review and reinforcement of learning presented in class.
- Preparation – Provides background information for future class work.
- Extension/Creative – Creative applications that integrate and/or expand upon classroom learning.
- Completion – Unfinished class work assigned when the student has not effectively used the time allotted in class.
EFFECTIVE HOMEWORK
- Clearly defined, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate.
- Supports student achievement of The Ontario Curriculum Learning Expectations and development of Learning Skills.
- Realistic and appropriate in frequency and length.
- Amount and time required to complete homework is modified to meet individual student’s home situation, needs, and abilities. Differentiation of homework is essential.
- Encourages the development of self-discipline and good work habits.
- Helps to develop positive and enthusiastic attitudes towards independent study and life-long learning.
- Provides opportunities for family members to become involved in the child’s learning.
- Acquaints parents with their child’s in-school learning experiences and strengthens the partnership between home and school.
- Monitored regularly.
- Provides positive, not punitive experiences.
- Ensures students can complete the homework without access to accommodations they would have had at school such as assistive technology.
THE FAMILY’S ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Guide, encourage, supervise
- Promote a positive attitude and outlook toward homework.
- Provide a quiet study area and needed supplies.
- Take an active part in the supervision of their child by establishing homework routines, clarifying expectations, and providing guidance as needed.
- Provide encouragement and support.
- Communicate concerns regarding student needs/frustrations to the teacher.
- Establish a balance between homework and other activities.
- Ensure children get adequate sleep whether homework is completed or not.
- Show an interest in their child’s schoolwork and progress.
THE STUDENT’S ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES!
- Responsibility, self-discipline
- Make sure the assignment is understood.
- Bring home the required materials.
- Complete all homework carefully and with pride.
- Keep up with and plan long-term assignments.
- Hand in homework on time.
- Bring late homework to school the following day.
- Ask for help if homework assignment is not clear.
- Students should, based on his/her capabilities, take full advantage of in class time offered for assignment and homework completion to help reduce what is left for homework.
- Students should, based on his/her capabilities put forth a strong effort to complete the tasks required.
- Students should negotiate with the teacher in advance if the student expects that they may not be able to accomplish the required homework due to special circumstances.
HOMEWORK PRACTICE
- Kindergarten students will not be assigned homework except for early learning activities such as reading with or talking to their parents, or playing.
- Grades 1 to Grade 6 will primarily have homework involving family time such as discussion, playing games, cooking, etc. or reading. On occasion for Grades 4 to 6, independent or group project work may be assigned such as book talks, oral presentations, science fair or heritage fair projects.
- Grade 7 & 8 students should have no more than 1 hour per day.
- On average, secondary students taking up to and including grade 11 courses should have, on average, no more than 1/2 hour per subject area (2 hrs/day).
- On average, secondary students taking grade 12 courses especially at the U/M level may have slightly more homework depending on the level, course and circumstances.
- Wherever possible, staff are to chunk or block homework assignments, giving timelines for each component of the assignment to keep students on task and to prevent falling behind. This enables families to plan around assigned homework.
- Staff will move away from time by grade guidelines (i.e. 10 minutes grade 1; 20 minutes grade 2) – homework is differentiated by division and grade to reflect the unique learning needs of students.
- No homework is to be assigned on holidays. PD days and weekends are not considered holidays.
- All students should read daily, whether to an adult at home or independently.
- After extended absences, students will be expected to complete a ‘prorated’ amount of work.