The Keatsway Staff believes that meaningful homework enhances student achievement by instilling good work habits, encouraging independence, reinforcing, extending learning and providing feedback to learning. Establishing a routine at home that works, is the most important factor to ensure the success of any homework program. Homework is a valuable way of supporting and extending the curriculum. Homework also provides parents with the opportunity to take an active role in their child’s education.
There are at least four different types of homework:
Practice: Provides students with opportunities to apply new knowledge or to reinforce/review newly acquired skills (i.e. drill sheet on new math facts, home reading)
Prepatory: Students obtain background information on a unit of study to be better prepared the next day (i.e. pre-reading a sort story)
Extension: Encourages students to pursue knowledge individually and imaginatively (i.e. science projects, essays)
Expanded Opportunities: Applying learning in school to real-life situations at home (i.e. measuring ingredients in a recipe, preparing a shopping list)
Some advantages of doing homework are:
- Develops good work habits at home
- Students become responsible for own learning
- Students increase self-discipline
- Develops a regular routine at home
- Provides parents with an opportunity to be involved in learning with their children
- Expands the curriculum by allowing students to learn at home and in the community
- Promotes life long learning
Homework expectations are based on the age and learning style of each child, grade level, needs and abilities of individual students, the classroom program, teacher expectations, parent expectations and family lifestyles and commitments. Time requirements will vary but a general rule of thumb is 5 to 10 minutes for each grade level at least 3 to 4 week nights during the school year.
Please speak to your child’s teacher regarding the types of homework the teacher will assign. If you have concerns, we invite you to contact your child’s teacher. Remember open communication with the teacher will benefit your child.