homework

Holy Redeemer Elementary
Homework Policy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

School Homework Statement

Statement of Purpose

Teacher’s Responsibilities

Parent Responsibilities

Responsibilities for Primary Students

Responsibilities for Elementary Students

School Research Policy

Homework/Study Alert Letter (Contact School)

Appendix G: Personal Study Schedule (Contact School)

Special thanks goes to Mr. Bob Maxwell (Principal) and Staff at Topsail Elementary whose Homework Policy provided the framework for the writing of our own School Homework Policy.

SCHOOL HOMEWORK STATEMENT

Homework provides students with opportunities to apply learning and experience necessary practice. It is also designed to develop a certain amount of independence among students and provide an opportunity for them to take personal responsibility for their own achievement. As with any instructional strategy, homework should support attainment of instructional outcomes and, as much as possible, should consider individual differences and specific learning difficulties ... It is the belief of our administration and staff that meaningful homework(study/written) is relevant and should be an integral part of the instructional process. In that context, Homework may include any of the following on a particular night:

written work
learning spelling vocabulary
reading
completion of school work
review of material covered in class that day
preparation for up coming tests and quizzes

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The objectives of this policy are:

to provide homework guidelines for teachers, students and parents
to promote continuity and consistency with homework practices throughout the school
to promote and foster positive attitudes and experiences about homework
to help new teachers, students and parents adjust to homework practices and expectations in this school
to increase the level of communication between the school and the home as it relates to home assignments

Homework is an integral and important part of a child’s education based on the following goals:

to reinforce and/or extend school learning
to provide drill/practice for specific skills
to improve academic skills
to complete unfinished tasks
to reinforce good work and study habits
to establish regular homework routines
to develop values such as responsibility, independence and time management
to provide parents with additional opportunities to become involved with their child’s learning

TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES

assign homework with specific instructional objectives
relate homework to classroom activities, objectives, themes etc.
ensure that “overload” does not occur (with team teaching eg. shared classes, special needs partners)
adapt work to suit the ability and achievement levels of students
consider other factors - extra-curricular activities, home support and student interests
explain all homework clearly, including concise written instructions for the benefit of parents, when appropriate
have students record daily homework in the agenda and check the use of these agendas regularly

(Grades 2 - 6)

require that a parent sign the agenda each night
make time each day for students to record homework in the agenda and prepare materials for the homework assignments
do not introduce new concepts as homework (except in the case of absences or pre-reading of new material about to be introduced)
be flexible in assigning homework
give reasonable notice of testing ( 2 - 3 school nights, at least)
give a clear statement of homework expectations through orientations or letters to the home (see Appendices B, C, and E)
deal with tardy or incomplete work by contacting parents via agendas or phone calls. Be consistent. If necessary, create a plan with the parent and closely monitor the results.

GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS

Grade	Approx. Times Per Night
K - 1	20 - 25 min.
2 - 3	30 - 35 min.
4	Minimum of 60 min.(written and study)
5	Minimum of 60 min.(written and study)
6	Minimum of 60-75 min.(written and study)

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Remember that your child is never too old to be guided in homework and studies
Check your child’s bookbag/ziploc each evening for such things as:

memos
homework notes in the student agendas
teacher notes in agenda
reading materials
textbooks for review and/or study
field trip request forms
order forms for book orders etc.

Each night, after homework items have been finished and checked, sign the agenda (Grades 2 - 6) as you continue to encourage your child to complete high quality work at home.
Ensure that bookbags are packed at night rather that in the morning, with all of the supplies needed for the next day, (eg. Pencils, books etc.)
If there is a problem with the assigned homework, write a short explanatory note to the teacher in the agenda.
Keep homework supplies on hand - pencil, eraser, ruler, paper, leads, glue etc. Encourage your child to be neat, tidy and well organized with his/her schoolbag and supplies.
Encourage a regular homework time and routine in your home. It may be helpful to complete a Personal Study Schedule (See sample page 10)
Choose a quiet, comfortable well-lit place for homework to be completed. Avoid working close to a television, telephone, stereo or computer, unless the computer is being used for homework.
Do not take over your child’s work. Oversee assignments, ask questions, offer suggestions but avoid doing the work, writing the solutions, or telling him/her what to do. Guidance is important but building independence and responsibility is crucial to your child’s academic growth.
Encourage your child to do his/her best at ALL times.
Be positive about the work at hand. Avoid making comments that may negatively affect your child’s attitude towards school or homework.
Continue to stress with your child that the work/study done at home is just as important as what is done at school.
Talk to your child’s teacher if you have a question or concern.
Enrich your child’s learning by taking family visits to places such as the Fluvarium, the Museums, The Planetarium, Public Libraries or special events.
If a child is absent for any reason, remind your child that he/she is responsible for completing work missed that day plus any assigned homework within a reasonable period of time (one week). Encourage your child to be responsible for that.

GUIDELINES FOR PARENTS

Note: these are approximate times - and may change from time to time ...
Note: some students may need more time to complete home assignments

Grade	Approx. Times Per Night
K - 1	20 - 25 min.
2 - 3	30 - 35 min.
4	Minimum of 60 min.(written and study)
5	Minimum of 60 min.(written and study)
6	Minimum of 60-75 min. (written and study)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRIMARY STUDENTS

It is suggested that teachers and parents go over these guidelines with the children to help them understand and begin to develop good work habits.

Make sure you have ALL the things you need BEFORE you leave the classroom to go home.
Make sure you listen to your teacher so that you know and understand what you have to do each night.
Ask your teacher questions if you are not sure that you understand the homework.
Copy all your assigned homework correctly and neatly into your Student Agenda (Gr 2 - 3)
Find a quiet place at home to do your work. Make sure there is a lot of light so that you can clearly see what your are doing. Homework needs to be done away from the television, stereo, telephone, or computer - unless the computer is being used to do your homework.
With a parent, put together a box or container containing things you may need to complete homework each night. Keep this special box in a safe place away from younger brothers or sisters.
Put all of the materials back into the box when you have finished. Return the box to its proper place.
Get tests and student agendas/reading logs signed each night.
Put everything back in your schoolbag as you finish.
Pack your schoolbag at night rather than in the morning.
Pass in your completed homework each day.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

It is suggested that teachers and parents review these guidelines with elementary students to help them develop regular study habits

Be certain that you have correctly and completely recorded homework in your Student Agenda.
BEFORE you leave the classroom, be certain that you have ALL of the books and supplies you will need for the evening.
Listen carefully as your teacher explains the homework details.
Make sure that you understand ALL of the tasks assigned to you. If you do not understand, ask questions right away.
At home, find a QUIET, well-lit, comfortable place to do your homework. Avoid being near the television, radio, stereo or computer - unless you are using the computer to do your homework.
Complete a Personal Study Schedule. This will help you to set a regular time - suitable to both you and your parents - to complete your homework. Make homework a HABIT.
The telephone should be considered OFF LIMITS during your regular homework time each night.
Keep a box or container of supplies on hand so that you never have to search for the things you need. (Pencils, paper, ruler, eraser, glue, scissors, tape, spare exercise books etc.)
Make sure that a parent/adult checks over your assignments and signs your agenda each night.
Plan your time wisely! Doing your work over a period of time is better than leaving all of your work for the last night before a test or assignment is due.
Ask for help from a parent when you need it rather than expect your parents to do the work for you.
If there is a GOOD reason why your homework is not completed, ask a parent or adult to write a short explanatory note in you agenda.
Pack your schoolbag in the evening rather that in the morning. Be sure you have everything that you need!

SCHOOL RESEARCH POLICY

Holy Redeemer Elementary promotes a research policy that strives for a balance between process and content. We believe that the process of researching a topic should start in kindergarten and move methodically through to the sixth grade. We believe that research is the responsibility of the child, to be completed under the guidance of both parents and teachers, using resources from the home, school and/or public library.

These steps need to be closely followed:

Brainstorming/Freewriting

to establish knowledge on a specific topic and set questions to research

Gathering Information

reading/listening to a wealth of information

Jot Noting

using key words only

Writing (the most difficult step...)

translating jot notes into complete and interesting sentences and paragraphs.

Layout and Design

using headings, spacing, colour and sketching or pictures to create an interesting project and appropriate cover sheet.

Polishing

editing the final copy so that it represents the BEST possible work for an audience to read and enjoy.

As students move through the primary to elementary grades we expect them, at each level, to work more independently and produce a more indepth final product. Our goal, with parental help, is to send our students to high school with a clear understanding of the steps and commitment needed to complete a good research paper. With these first years forming a good foundation, students should be able to spend the final six years of school developing more independence and refining their skills.

Holy Redeemer Elementary Homework Policy