It
is the policy of Scoil Eimhín Naofa to allocate homework.
Relationship
to characteristic spirit of the school:
Scoil
Eimhín Naofa seeks to enable each pupil to develop his/her potential.
Homework encourages pupils to work independently and take responsibility
for their assignments.
Aims:
Scoil
Eimhín Naofa feels homework is an essential part of school life and is deemed
necessary:
·
to reinforce what is being taught in school.
·
to strengthen
links between home and school.
·
to develop a child’s concentration skills.
·
to develop a work ethic.
·
to promote a similar approach to homework across all classes.
·
to promote independence.
·
to lay foundations for good study habits in the future.
Guidelines
·
Homework is given each day from Monday to Thursday. This varies at Junior
Infant level, at discretion of the teacher.
·
Homework is not usually given at weekends.
·
There is no homework during holiday periods.
· It is the school’s policy that pupils will not be allocated homework if they are withdrawn for holidays.
·
Extra homework may be assigned as a sanction if a pupil fails or refuses
to observe the required standard of behaviour as per Code of Behaviour and
Discipline.
·
Sometimes at the discretion of the class teacher or the Principal, pupils
are given “No Homework” as a treat or as an acknowledgement of some special
occasion.
Homework
is a balance between
·
reading tasks
·
learning tasks, and
·
written tasks
· Homework will regularly contain reading, spellings, tables, written work,
pieces to be “learned by heart”, drawing/colouring, collecting
information/
items and finishing work started in school.
·
This balance is not always possible and can vary considerably from day to
day. However, it should be noted that homework time devoted to reading and
learning is as important as written work.
·
Homework is normally prepared by the teacher in class. However, some
times with senior classes, some homework is designed to challenge
children’s ability and provide opportunities for creativity.
·
Pupils often feel that reading and “learning by heart” is not real
homework.
Parents can play an important role in listening to reading and items to
be learned ensuring this work is done well.
·
Provision is made for children with special needs.
·
The following table should be kept in mind when allocating homework:
Junior Infant Classes
At Teachers’ discretion
Senior Infants
Guideline 15 minutes
1st – 2nd Classes
Guideline 25 minutes
3rd – 4th Classes
Guideline 40 minutes
5th – 6th Classes
Guideline 1 hour
·
Pupils are expected to do their homework to the best of their individual
ability.
·
Homework will usually be within the capability of the child and should be
done without too much help from parents.
·
As far as possible parents should try to provide a suitable time and
suitable place for doing homework, to prevent interruptions or distractions,
like T.V./Video or other children, taking account of family circumstances and
the need for play and relaxation.
Homework
Diary:
·
Pupils from 1st Class onwards have a homework diary.
·
The diary is an important record of the pupil’s homework. It is also a
valuable means of communication between parents and teachers.
·
Parents are asked to check that the pupil records her homework neatly in the correct page and ticks each item of homework when completed.
·
A parent’s signature in this homework diary or on worksheets every
night means that the parent has checked to see that the allocated oral and
written work has been done. In the case of Infants who don’t have a diary, the
actual work should be signed.
·
If a pattern exists of homework not being done or completed without
explanation from pupil or parent, the teacher will investigate the
circumstances.
Parents will usually be contacted through the pupil’s diary or copy, or in
some other way and the matter will be discussed. The emphasis will always be on
trying to understand where the problem lies, and then trying to help in solving
it.
·
Parents are encouraged to check the diary or copy/copies each night for
teacher’s comments etc.
When
should parents communicate with the teacher about homework?
·
When the child cannot do homework due to the family circumstances.
·
When the child cannot do homework because she/he cannot understand
some aspect.
·
If the time being spent on homework is often longer than the recommended
amount of time.
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, the class teacher should be contacted.