School Homework Policy
School Homework Policy
Rationale
Homework refers to any learning activity that students are required by the school to complete outside of curriculum time. This includes assignments and projects but not revision of school work or studying for tests and examinations.
Homework, when used appropriately, can reinforce students’ learning, provide feedback on their progress and cultivate a healthy disposition towards continual learning.
- Effective use of homework can:
a. reinforce learning and deepen understanding of lessons taught;
b. allow students to regularly practise, and apply skills and concepts taught;
c. develop good study skills and habits; and
d. encourage greater ownership and responsibility for independent learning.
- Homework also provides parents/guardians with:
a. timely information on the learning progress of their child; and
b. opportunity to be involved in the child’s learning.
Key Considerations and Guiding Principles
Amount of Homework
It is important to keep in mind that is the quality of learning and not the amount of homework that matters. The amount of homework* assigned will be calibrated accordingly by our teachers, taking into consideration the following:
a. For holistic development, students need a balanced life with adequate time for family bonding, social activities, personal interests and rest;
b. The amount of homework given to be age-appropriate and take into account the competing demands on students’ time (e.g. CCA, competitions, enrichment classes, tests, examinations);
c. Amount of homework assigned to students to be differentiated according to levels that the students are in; and
d. Homework will be relatively less for long school days when students have extra lessons or activities.
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Our Subject teachers will coordinate among themselves to ensure students are not overloaded. Form Teacher of each class will oversee to ensure assessments like tests or spelling will not be on the same day.
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Reading is an essential learning activity and it is expected that all students read daily. As such, reading assignments may also be included in the suggested time allowance for homework.
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The homework assigned will be designed such that students should be spending about 1-2 hours per day to complete them. Do note there will be home-work free days too. Students are advised to use these times wisely, e.g. to revise school work, or to prepare for tests and examinations
Types and Purposes of Homework [1]
In general, there are four types of homework that will be assigned by our teachers. The purposes of these types of homework are:
| Type | Purpose | Examples of Homework |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation (Getting ready before) |
Provide opportunities to help students inform and prepare themselves for the coming lessons. | Collecting materials for class demonstrations Background Readings and Library research Learning of spelling & multiplication tables |
| Practice (Doing again after) |
Provide students with needed review and reinforcement about content covered in a previous lesson so as to facilitate retention of facts and deepen understanding of concepts | Workbook, worksheet and revision exercises Post-lesson assignments/tasks and reporting findings to the class. |
| Extension (Going beyond) |
Provide opportunities for students to expand on concepts that were taught in class as well as to pursue knowledge collaboratively and independently. | Project-based work (Group as well as individual) Creative Writing Non-routine tasks based on the topics covered. |
| Creative (Putting together) |
Provide opportunities for students to engage in learning activities that include analysis, synthesis and evaluation requiring the students to be more inventive and resourceful. | Tasks requiring students to come up with their own ideas related to class topic and then share those ideas with the class. Creating a new invention based on a class topic. |
Responsibilities of Stakeholders
Parents/guardians and learners all play an important role in ensuring that homework serves its intended purposes.
Parents/guardians are to:
a. create a home environment conducive for studying and completion of homework, with good light and space for studying;
b. set a regular schedule for completing homework for each day that is not be interrupted by family plans, school activities or television time;
c. check Pupils’ Companion for the daily list of homework assignments so that both the parents and the child can monitor progress on work;
d. supervise and provide support for child’s learning;
e. reinforce good study habits and attitudes by encouraging and motivating your child;
f. be mindful of the stresses arising from school homework and out-of-school activities, and help your children prioritise their time among these activities; and
g. work in partnership with our teachers to support your child’s learning and development.
Students are to:
a. understand the purpose of homework and what is expected of them;
b. use their Pupils’ Companion keep track of homework instructions and deadlines;
c. manage time well to ensure that homework is completed and submitted on time;
d. give his / her best effort in completing homework; and
e. review feedback from teachers on homework submitted.
Non-completion of Homework
Our teachers will work with students to find out the reasons for any non-submission of homework. Intervention strategies to support the student in this area will be based on the reasons and if need be, a parent-teacher conference will be arranged. If the student is medically excused from school for an extended length of time, arrangements can be made on how the student can be supported with homework and other areas of academic needs.
[1] Rutherford, William; Foyle, Harvey C.”How To Develop and Effective Homework Programme”. Tips for Principals from NASSP(October 1988). Educational Resources Information Centre (ERIC).