Homework Policy.

Ballyfin National School
Homework Policy.
Why give homework ?
We set homework for the benefit of the children.
• to re-enforce what the child has learned during the day.
• to develop the child’s study skills and promote a work ethic.
• to provide an educational link between parent and teacher.
• to provide an educational link between parent and child.
Home work is meant to be achievable by a child. It provides an opportunity to practice work
already done. It is normally prepared by the teacher in class. However, sometimes with Senior classes some homework is designed to challenge ability and provide opportunities for creativity.
Children are expected to do their homework to the best of their ability-no more, no less.
How often is homework given ?
Homework is given on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Homework is not generally given on Fridays except-
• if homework is neglected during the week
• in Senior classes some project work is undertaken at weekends
Extra homework may sometimes be given during the week or at the weekend .
• if a child has not done their homework.
• if a child has not made a suitable effort.
• if a child has presented untidy work.
Occasionally, as an acknowledgement of some achievement or special occasion children may be given “Homework off” !.
What is the content of homework ?
Ideally homework will contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and written tasks. This balance is not always possible and can vary considerable from day to day.
Homework will regularly contain reading, spellings, tables, written work, pieces to be learned by heart, drawing/colouring, collecting information or objects and compleating work started in class.
Children often feel that reading and “learning by heart” are not real homework.
This is vital work and parents play an important role in encouraging and helping children with this work by listening to them.
1.

How long should your child spend at homework ?
The following are the guidelines which the staff of our school use when setting homework.
We understand that some children will complete their work in less time and others may need longer. We would hope that nobody would exceed the limit by more than 20 minutes.
Junior Infants 10 minutes
Senior Infants 15 minutes
First Class 20 minutes
Second & Third 35 minutes
Fourth & Fifth 60 minutes
Sixth 60 minutes
How can parents monitor homework ?
• The homework journal is an important means of communication between parents and teachers
and an important record of the child's homework.
• It is the responsibility of the child to record the homework accurately and neatly on the correct page of the homework journal.
• Parents can check what is to be done each evening and sign the journal when the work has been completed to their satisfaction.
• If for some reason your child cannot complete the homework on a given day please explain this on the attendance sheet e.g. family circumstances, unable to understand some aspect of
the work, or illness.
• Children are directed to put the school Newsletter and others letters to parents in the correct page of their homework journals so that they are received promptly.
• Please remember - only children from 1st class upwards make use of a homework journal.
How can teachers monotor homework ?
• Ideally teachers like to monitor homework on a daily basis. However with large numbers it is not always posssible to check each child’s homework every day.
• As children get older and learn to work independently some items of homework are checked less often e. g. every second day or once a week.
• Some items of homework are easily checked by children themselves under the direction of the teacher. This can be a useful part of the learning process as it focuses the child on
their efforts.
Please remember
If homework is a stressful experience because -
(a) a child is repeaetly having difficulty with the work.
(b) A child is regularly spending longer than the maximum recommended time at homework.
Please contact the class teacher for an appointment to discuss these difficulties.
2.

Concluding Comment
This policy statement has been prepared based on conditions
exiting in the school at the time of writing. It may be altered,
revised or updated at a future dat so as to comply with any changes in conditions.
All amendments and updates will be recorded in the -
Signed: P. B. Hennessy Date :13/10/02
Chairperson B.O.M
Ballyfin N.S.