Homework gives pupils the opportunity to practise at home the tasks done in class and helps them work towards improving important skills. It also encourages children to become confident and independent in their learning, which will help throughout their time at school and later in adult life. Homework activities are an important part of the home/school partnership. All children are expected to take part in a variety of homework tasks to enhance and support their work in class. The school recognises the value of children exploring and developing their own interests outside of school and does not wish to restrict this.
Homework policy Aims:
To ensure consistency of approach throughout the school.
To ensure progression towards independence and individual responsibility.
To ensure parents/carers have a clear understanding about expectations for themselves and the pupils.
To extend and support learning. To consolidate basic skills and knowledge.
To provide opportunities for parents and pupils to work in partnership and enjoy learning experiences.
Talk Homework
At Chawson First School we take a ‘talk homework’ approach. Talk homework is where children are encouraged to talk about what they are doing, or about to do in school. It may range from sharing ideas about a story plan or explaining how to use a specific calculation strategy. Talking about their learning helps children to consolidate their understanding and is really important in helping them to progress.
Talk homework for maths has a dual purpose, one is to provide parents/carers with knowledge of how maths calculations are being taught in school (the children become the teachers!), the other is so children can explore maths without restrictions or worrying about making mistakes (this can often be the case with a sheet of sums that are either right or wrong). Maths home learning will often involve activities or games which children need to talk about and explain their reasoning. They may be asked to show someone at home how to use a strategy or to explain why they have chosen a strategy.
Talk homework for writing usually involves chatting through ideas for a piece of work children are going to do in school. By giving children this opportunity they are able to develop their thinking and explore more complex stories or detailed description. Children are able to experiment with their choice of words and talk about the effects they intend to create with the use of punctuation.
Year 1 to Year 4 children have the opportunity to store their homework in exercise books. Children can use pages in their books to make notes if they wish but these will not be marked by teachers. Talk homework is shared back in school through their written work or discussions in maths lessons.
Time Allocations and Expectations
We must remember that they are young children and life out of school is not all homework. Homework should be enjoyable. Parents can help create the right atmosphere by sharing an interest in their work.
These are only guideline time allocations. Some weeks this may be increased or decreased, but remember it is only helpful if the pupils are enjoying their learning.
Supporting Homework
School will:
· Provide sessions where the school’s approach to Maths and English are discussed with parents.
Teachers will:
· Provide a range of homework tasks and activities to consolidate and extend learning in class.
· Ensure that the children have an opportunity to have a clear understanding of the tasks involved and a common understanding of the high expectations.
· Ensure that homework is appropriate, and differentiated where necessary, according to ability.
· Provide opportunities for children to share or apply their talk homework
· Inform parents of children's progress through reports and parents meetings; and of projects and topics to be studied through termly topic letters.
· Be available for parents to contact to discuss any concerns regarding homework set.
Parents can help to support children by:
· Be actively involved in homework, providing encouragement and support to children when they require it.
· Providing somewhere peaceful for children to work without the distractions of television, other family members and pets.
· Support the school in explaining to children that homework is valued and aids learning.
· Encourage pupils and praise them when homework is completed.
Pupils are expected to:
· To do homework regularly.
· Take pride in their homework, acknowledging the high personal standard expected.
· Be organised so that necessary books and information are not left at school.
· Take responsibility for sharing completed tasks.
Homework policy Aims:
To ensure consistency of approach throughout the school.
To ensure progression towards independence and individual responsibility.
To ensure parents/carers have a clear understanding about expectations for themselves and the pupils.
To extend and support learning. To consolidate basic skills and knowledge.
To provide opportunities for parents and pupils to work in partnership and enjoy learning experiences.
Talk Homework
At Chawson First School we take a ‘talk homework’ approach. Talk homework is where children are encouraged to talk about what they are doing, or about to do in school. It may range from sharing ideas about a story plan or explaining how to use a specific calculation strategy. Talking about their learning helps children to consolidate their understanding and is really important in helping them to progress.
Talk homework for maths has a dual purpose, one is to provide parents/carers with knowledge of how maths calculations are being taught in school (the children become the teachers!), the other is so children can explore maths without restrictions or worrying about making mistakes (this can often be the case with a sheet of sums that are either right or wrong). Maths home learning will often involve activities or games which children need to talk about and explain their reasoning. They may be asked to show someone at home how to use a strategy or to explain why they have chosen a strategy.
Talk homework for writing usually involves chatting through ideas for a piece of work children are going to do in school. By giving children this opportunity they are able to develop their thinking and explore more complex stories or detailed description. Children are able to experiment with their choice of words and talk about the effects they intend to create with the use of punctuation.
Year 1 to Year 4 children have the opportunity to store their homework in exercise books. Children can use pages in their books to make notes if they wish but these will not be marked by teachers. Talk homework is shared back in school through their written work or discussions in maths lessons.
Time Allocations and Expectations
We must remember that they are young children and life out of school is not all homework. Homework should be enjoyable. Parents can help create the right atmosphere by sharing an interest in their work.
These are only guideline time allocations. Some weeks this may be increased or decreased, but remember it is only helpful if the pupils are enjoying their learning.
Supporting Homework
School will:
· Provide sessions where the school’s approach to Maths and English are discussed with parents.
Teachers will:
· Provide a range of homework tasks and activities to consolidate and extend learning in class.
· Ensure that the children have an opportunity to have a clear understanding of the tasks involved and a common understanding of the high expectations.
· Ensure that homework is appropriate, and differentiated where necessary, according to ability.
· Provide opportunities for children to share or apply their talk homework
· Inform parents of children's progress through reports and parents meetings; and of projects and topics to be studied through termly topic letters.
· Be available for parents to contact to discuss any concerns regarding homework set.
Parents can help to support children by:
· Be actively involved in homework, providing encouragement and support to children when they require it.
· Providing somewhere peaceful for children to work without the distractions of television, other family members and pets.
· Support the school in explaining to children that homework is valued and aids learning.
· Encourage pupils and praise them when homework is completed.
Pupils are expected to:
· To do homework regularly.
· Take pride in their homework, acknowledging the high personal standard expected.
· Be organised so that necessary books and information are not left at school.
· Take responsibility for sharing completed tasks.
HOMEWORK POLICY OF CHAWSON FIRST SCHOOL
