Homework

Homework

The Rainbow District School Board recognizes that homework is a necessary part of the learning process, teaching students to be responsible and independent learners.  The assignment of purposeful homework is an effective means of extending student learning time.  It fosters parental involvement in their child’s learning while monitoring their child’s progress.

World Class Schools will assign homework 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday.  The length of the assignments shown is an average as individual assignments and student learning rates will vary.  Parents should learning rates will vary.  Parents should consult with teachers if homework is either lacking or excessive.

Suggested homework timelines:

JK – SK     up to 10 min. daily
Gr 1 – 3    up to 30 min. daily
Gr 4 – 6    up to 60 min. daily
Gr 7 – 8    up to 90 min. daily

What to Expect for Homework

Kindergarten

• Pre-reading/shared reading with your child

Primary 1-2

• Completion of unfinished classroom assignments
• Project Work
• Drill and practice in Mathematics
• Daily reading
• Sharing of agendas if applicable

Primary 3 – Junior 6

• Project work, research
• Drill and practice in Mathematics
• Daily reading and spelling of assigned words
• Sharing of journals with parents
• Sharing of agendas and completion of unfinished classroom work
• Studying for tests

Intermediate 7-8

• Project work
• Daily silent reading
• Practice and review of Mathematical concepts
• Sharing of agenda and completion of unfinished work
• Studying for tests/exams
• Research using computer/internet (if available)

Homework Responsibilities

Student, teachers and parents / guardians all have key roles to play regarding homework completion.

Students are expected to:

• Remember to take  necessary materials home
• Record assignments in the agenda and share information with parents
• Complete all assigned homework
• Return materials to school the following school day
• Obtain parental signature when required
• Ask for clarification of homework assignments if required

Teachers are expected to:

• Assign purposeful homework
• Record and review homework on chalkboard daily
• Monitor the amount of assigned homework
• Check homework completion daily
• Encourage students to write homework assignments in student agenda
• Provide students with adequate time at the end of day to gather required materials
• Ensure that students understand the nature of the assigned homework
• Inform parents of incomplete homework via the agenda.

Parents/Guardians are expected to:

• Provide a quiet place and required materials for their child to complete the assigned homework
• Read and initial agendas daily
• Provide encouragement and assistance to their child when required
• Monitor the amount of time spent on homework and inform the teacher if their child is spending either too much or too little time on homework
• Discuss homework and reading assignments with their child

Note I: If a child is having difficulty with homework then he/she is very probably having difficulty at school.

Note II: Requiring a child/student to spend 60 minutes 4 times a week adds the equivalent of 30 days of learning is a school year of 190 days.

To learn more about the Rainbow District School Board’s perspective on homework, please visit http://www.rainbowschools.ca/boardroom/Policies/POL6.08.pdf