Homework

A GUIDE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND PARENTS
 
Homework is that part of learning that students do outside of the classroom in their own time.
 
Because homework has always been set and has always formed part of what learning involves, the reasons for having it and the value it provides are seldom reflected on. 
 
The tasks set generally fall into a couple of categories:

• They provide practice, consolidation and further exploration of what has been taught in class.
• They look forward to and prepare for the next period of instruction and learning.

 
Whatever the nature of the homework, it extends the students’ learning beyond the school day and requires them to take responsibility for their own learning.
 
For every student there are clear and important benefits that come from completing homework activities within the expected time.
 

In the junior school:

 
Although homework offers an opportunity for content and skills covered in the classroom to be consolidated and furthered, the primary value of homework at Year 9 and 10 is in the skills that the students develop.
 
Homework helps build the skills that the students need in order to be successful independent learners in the future.
 
Specifically:
Students learn 

• to work on their own without close supervision
• to prioritise, by establishing an after school routine that includes

time set aside for homework

• to persevere with a task, and be self-reliant
• to be resourceful in finding information
• to manage time so a task is completed within a given time frame
• to meet a deadline
• to follow instructions
• to be personally well-organised with the necessary equipment, space

and time for doing the homework tasks
 
Such skills are also very valuable as general life skills.

In the senior school:

The value of tasks completed outside the classroom alters significantly.  The curriculum at senior level and the tasks set for qualifications, require independent study, research, writing and presentation far beyond what can be completed in class time.  Success depends on the students being committed to devoting their own time to their studies. They will have difficulty if they have not already developed the skills mentioned above.
 
Homework, as work done in the students’ own time, is as significant as classwork.  This looks ahead to tertiary study where the majority of the learning and the completion of assessable tasks is done by the student outside of timetabled lecture hours.

 

Parental Involvement

Many parents closely supervise and sometimes assist their children’s completion of homework while the children are at primary and intermediate school.  Once the children are at secondary school the level of close supervision and assistance should decrease.

As teachers we do not want parents completing homework for their children; your direct assistance should be minimal.  However, we rely heavily on parental encouragement, support and facilitation.
 

Parental support for Homework:
 

1. Expect homework to be set for each subject at least twice a week.
2. Total homework time per night should be:

                                Years 9 and 10      1 – 1 ½ hours
                                Year 11                  1 ½  – 2 hours
                                Years 12 and 13    2 – 3 hours

1. Regularly check that the Lynfield College Handbook is being used to list homework requirements.
2. Take an interest in the tasks that are being done, offering encouragement and support.
3. Emphasise the purpose and value of homework completion.
4. Telephone the Dean if you have any concerns about the homework being set.  The Dean will liaise with the relevant Faculty Manager.
5. Be suspicious of any claim that no homework is being set!

 

Homework activities

 
Every day, regardless of whatever else may be specifically set, all students should be:

• Reading over the day’s work
• Revising previous work
• Checking through exercise books, filing notes and workbooks for completeness, underlining, setting out and spelling, etc
• Reading [see below]
• Checking their homework deadlines, and forward planning

 
There is no excuse for students saying they have nothing to do.

Some of the more regular homework activities include:

• Worksheets/work book pages
• Writing up experiments, reports or assignments
• Researching information from books, magazines, newspapers, Internet
• Drawing maps, diagrams, sketches
• Making notes from textbooks
• Exercises, for example in Maths, Languages, Economics, etc
• Writing paragraphs or essays
• Constructing models, sets, Science Fair projects, woodwork projects, English projects
• Completing journals, creative writing, poetry tasks
• Surveying people’s views or attitudes
• Photography or art work
• Continuing with practical work including Art work
• Practising a musical instrument or training in physical activity
• Watching a particular TV programme [eg news, documentaries],     
• Revision for tests.
• Reading novels, plays, non-fiction, poetry

 
Reading is a priority in students’ language growth. Students are expected to read every night.
 
English teachers will ensure that your child has adequate reading material.  The best help you can give your child in this essential activity is to provide an appropriate model by reading yourself.
 
  

With a well-organised approach you will never need to feel worn out or frustrated over your homework.

Timetable yourself so you are not faced with everything due at the same time.

 
 

Success in all things depends on your being organised, focused and motivated.   This leaflet shows you how homework helps you to achieve in your academic studies.