Homework

Why Give Homework?

Homework is helpful to your child for the following reasons:

Homework can consolidate classwork and/or prepare for future learning;
Homework helps with the development of good work habits, self-discipline and time management;
Homework provides a valuable link between school and home, letting parents see the progress being made and support learning;
Homework can help pupils ‘catch up’ after an illness.

Good Habits

Most children are happy to undertake homework tasks and take a pride in completing activities to the best of their abilities. However, for some pupils this is not the case. In all cases it is important that parents take an interest in the homework set and encourage good habits when it comes to homework.

If possible, find a quiet place for your child to do their homework, preferably with no distractions and the television off. Try to establish a regular time for homework. Having a table to lean on will help your child with the presentation of their work. Ensure that he/she is using a sharp pencil and has a rubber, sharpener, ruler and coloured pencils available at home should he/she need them. Where appropriate, have your child check his/her own work for mistakes before you do. Make sure your child shows you the completed tasks(s) before you sign the homework sheet/diary.

And finally, have him/her put the homework into his/her schoolbag as soon as it has been completed, checked and signed. An important part of doing homework and developing good habits is making sure homework is handed in on time.

Primary 1-3

Homework will usually be given Monday to Thursday and should take around 15-20 minutes to complete. Homework for P1 may take a bit longer. At this early stage, progress can be hindered if homework tasks are not undertaken, particularly progress with reading. It is essential that you support your child with his/her homework to maximise benefits. Homework activities for pupils in P1 and P2 will be recorded by the teacher on a weekly homework sheet. Pupils in P3 will note their homework in a homework diary. Parents are asked to sign the homework sheet/diary each evening.

Primary 4-7

Homework in P4-7 will be usually be given Monday to Thursday and this should take around 20-30 minutes to complete. Reading may also be given at weekends. Each pupil will note his/her homework tasks in the homework diary provided. Pupils may be set many homework tasks on one day and given the various dates each homework task is due. This allows flexibility in terms of doing the homework and helps children to develop as independent learners. Parents are asked to sign the diary as homework tasks are completed.

Possible Homework Activities

The following activities are examples of some of the different types of homework your child might be given:

Preparing or practising reading
Spelling or phonic practice
Maths activities (written and/or oral)
Research for classwork or an individual project
Writing a book review
Preparing a talk
Grammar or punctuation work
Discussing something with a parent/family member
Completing a worksheet e.g. science, health, R.E.

Unfinished Classwork

Pupils who do not finish classwork, despite the work being within their capabilities and having adequate time to do so, may have this work sent home for completion. This is not part of the programme of homework activities and will be accompanied by a separate covering letter.

How/When to Help

P1-3

Sit with your child at homework time.
Check that he/she remembers what to do.
Talk together about the homework task.
Help with words that he/she in unsure of.
Check that your child is holding the pencil correctly.
Encourage your child to form letters and numbers correctly and to join writing when appropriate.
Encourage him/her to persevere and work at finding the answer, not give up.
Be positive.
Expect your child to give their best effort – don’t accept rushed, messy, careless work.
Don’t spend any longer than the recommended 15-20 minutes doing homework. (P1 may take a little longer.)
If your child is really struggling with a particular homework task put it to one side and do the rest – you can send a note of this to your child’s teacher.

P4-7

Ask your child what homework they have each evening.
Check that he/she remembers what to do.
Talk together about the homework task.
Give clues to guide your child if he/she is stuck but don’t just give them the answer.
Encourage him/her to persevere and work at finding the answer, not give up.
Be positive.
Expect your child to give their best effort, not the bare minimum – don’t accept rushed, messy, careless work.
Ask your child to re-do work that you consider to be unsatisfactory.
Give clues to guide your child if he/she is stuck but don’t just give them the answer.
If your child is really struggling with a particular homework task, suggest that he/she puts it away – you can send a note of this to your child’s teacher.
Encourage your child to self-check his/her work carefully and correct any errors before you check the work.
Don’t spend any longer than the recommended maximum of 30 minutes doing homework.

Please note, your child’s teacher does not check homework sheets/diaries every day – sheets/diaries are checked weekly. If you wish to make the teacher aware of a homework, or other, issue, please write this on a separate note which your child can give to the teacher.