Homework Policy

1. AIMS:

  1. Consolidation of work done in class.
  2. To cultivate the habit of private study.
  3. To keep parents in touch with and involved in their children’s schoolwork.

2. OBJECTIVES:

  1. It can help pupils to make more rapid progress in learning.
  2. It can allow pupils to develop the practice of working on their own without the constant presence of the teacher or other pupils on the one hand and the external discipline of the timetable, bells etc., on the other.  This way of working is vital at the later stages of secondary education and after.
  3. Work at home can provide the quiet and private conditions needed for creative and thoughtful work of all kinds.
  4. It can allow valuable practice of skills learned in the classroom.
  5. It can allow pupils to use materials and other sources of information that are not always available in the classroom.
  6. It can involve parents and others in the pupils’ work for their external benefit.
  7. It can give opportunities for long-term research and other work.
  8. It can form an important part of the pupil’s notes.
  9. This gives pupils valuable experience of working to deadlines and facilitates staff with their making schedules.
  10. It forms a link with the methods of study crucial to success at second level school.

3. PROCEDURES:

  1. Homework will be an integral part of the subject being taught and given in order to consolidate work done in class – not as an exercise in isolation.
  2. Homework will be given only when the teacher has thoroughly explained the work to be done.
  3. Parents are encouraged to supervise children’s homework, check it and ensure that it is neat and tidy. They should then sign their homework journals when the homework is completed.
  4. Teachers will check that the homework is being done and give extra help where difficulties occur.
  5. Time spent on homework in the Junior Classes will be 15-20 mins.
  6. Homework for 1st/2nd classes should take 20-30 mins.
  7. Homework for 3rd/4th classes should take 25-30 minutes.
  8. Homework for 5th /6th classes should take 50-60 minutes.
  9. Homework will not be given at weekends except on occasions when a teacher considers that it’s warranted.
  10. The Special Education Teacher sets homework for the children in their own groups.

Each homework may involve the following:

Reading/writing/spelling/Tables.  In the early years reading books are taken home as a matter of course.  Pupils ‘read’ at home and/or practice key words or sounds with their family.  Weekly spellings can be given and possibly number bonds or tables.

Carrying out a project.  This may involve research, collection of information for an individual or group project.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS:

  1. Set aside a quiet regular time.
  2. The child should be sitting comfortably at a table.
  3. Homework time should include time for oral as well as written work. Oral work, particularly in the early stages of schooling, can consolidate that which is learned through the media of Irish and English.
  4. Encourage your child to keep books and copies clean and tidy.
  5. If your child is working independently – be available to help and show interest in what is being done. Praise your child’s efforts at every opportunity.
  6. If, when working with your child, you feel yourself becoming impatient – stop – don’t bully or threaten – this will only have a negative effect.
  7. If your child is persistently having problems with homework contact the teacher and discuss the difficulties.
  8. If, for any reason, the homework cannot be done, let the teacher know.
  9. Sign their homework journal.

5. RESOURCES:

  • Homework Journal for each pupil.
  • Homework folder with resources needed.

6. EVALUATION:

  • Correction daily.
  • Discussion at Parent Teacher Meetings.
  • Tests assigned to ascertain if homework is achieving its objectives.  Much debate has taken place in recent years on the effects of screens on young children. Parents are often concerned about how much viewing time should be allowed. The reality is that most children watch T.V. and in moderation this is not a bad thing. Children can learn a lot and language can be enhanced through television. Don’t allow them to watch unsuitable material. Children in senior classes should be aware of what is happening in the world – encourage them to watch and talk about news items. This will add to their general knowledge and command of language. Do not allow children to watch television/screens while doing homework.

How much help should parent give?

Parents should try to help their children with homework by:

Providing them with a suitable place and time to do their homework. To prevent interruptions or distractions (such as electronic devices or other children), children should do written homework themselves and parents should only help when the child has difficulty. If a child has difficulty with homework, the parents should help the child to overcome the difficulty with further explanation or examples, but not by actually doing the homework for the child.  In this case the parent should write a note to the teacher explaining the problem. Shared reading is not homework in the regular sense and it is simply meant to be an enjoyable exercise between parent and child.  

How often should parents monitor homework?

Parents should check and sign a child’s homework journal every evening. The pupil’s journal is an important record of the child’s homework.  It is also a valuable means of communication between parents and teachers.  Doubts or queries that you may have can be dealt with here rather than having to meet class teacher for every little concern. Ideally, all written messages regarding homework should be put in the homework journal (additional pages available at the end of the journal). Please check that your child records his / her homework neatly in the correct page and ticks each item of homework when completed.  Please do not sign homework if you feel that your child hasn’t made a proper effort or has not fully completed homework. It is important that parents give children a positive view of homework rather than a chore to be completed in order to keep teacher happy. Homework will not be given for sick leave absences (unless in exceptional circumstances/lengthly period of illness). It is the view of the school that if a pupil is not well enough to attend school on a given day, then there should be no expectation to complete homework. If parents are planning a holiday during the school term, we ask that they make contact with the class teacher in advance to notify them of this absence. No work will be assigned for such absences.

Remember If homework is a stressful experience between parent and child, something is wrong!  This leads to poor learning and defeats the whole purpose.  Should this happen on a regular basis, please contact the class teacher.  Homework should be completed by pupil in order to develop concentration skills, re-inforce material learned during the school day and to enhance child’s educational well-being.

Approved and Ratified

Signed: _________________________   Signed: __________________________

Chairperson of Board of Management     Principal/Secretary to the Board of Management                    

      Date:     __________________________ Date:    __________________­­­­­­­________