Homework is typically defined as teacher-assigned tasks to be completed by students outside of the school day hours. The debate over the value of homework is prevalent in educational research. Regardless of which side of the debate you stand on, the research provides us with several important aspects about homework to be considered.
Homework is for the following purposes:
Homework is valuable if it:
Homework tips
Reminders about Internet Use:
Surfing the Internet, chatting to friends on-line through instant messaging, or communicating through Facebook can be fun for young people but there is a growing trend where these experiences can lead to unpleasant encounters. We ask you to become Web-Aware. Below are some guiding thoughts for students going on-line.
Managing the Internet at Home:
Media Smarts: http://mediasmarts.ca
Other recommended sites for parents:
NVSD internet safety links:
http://www.sd44.ca/District/Departments/ICT/Pages/Internet-Safety.aspx
Research Sources Cited:
ASCD: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar07/vol64/num06/The-Case-For-and-Against-Homework.aspx
SAGE Journals: http://joa.sagepub.com/content/22/2/194.short
21st Century Learning: http://www.21learn.org/archive/review-the-myth-of-homework-and-the-case-against-homework/
Homework is for the following purposes:
- Building fluency and recall (e.g., independent reading, math facts)
- Applying learned skills (e.g., following a recipe to apply the learning of units of measurement)
- Spiral review (review of previously taught and learned material that will be useful in an upcoming unit of study or assignment)
- Extension of concepts learned (further research in a particular area being studied)
Homework is valuable if it:
- Successfully extends student learning in a manner in which they are genuinely engaged (students pursuing areas of interest, active learning/investigating, pursuing student-generated inquiry questions; self-directed research with the guidance and support of an adult)
- Is adequately challenging and interesting
- Builds, for the child, positive attitudes, habits, and character traits (true responsibility cannot be coerced!)
- Allows for appropriate parent involvement (guiding, coaching, encouraging)
- Reinforces the learning of simple skills and concepts already taught and practiced in class (i.e., the homework is not the “teacher”).
- Is realistic in terms of quantity and difficulty given the students' abilities to work independently.
- Students should be able to complete homework assignments independently with relatively high success rates.
- Encourage your child to seek the teacher's help if "stuck", and if your child has difficulty with homework, don’t push your child to complete it, instead, communicate their difficulties to your child’s teacher
Homework tips
- Provide a quiet, well-lit space, away from distractions and with all the right study materials -- paper, pens and pencils, books, a dictionary, a desk, a computer, etc.
- Try to find a separate space for each of your children, or schedule quiet times for homework in designated spaces.
- Create a regular schedule, allowing for adequate study and free time.
- Limit TV/computer time, and do not allow it during homework.
- When possible, be available to answer questions. Try doing a problem or two together, then watch as the child tries the next one.
- Avoid simply giving an answer. Instead, ask questions that let your child see the problem in smaller, sequential steps.
- Provide your kids with a notebook for writing down assignments. When they're finished, compare the homework and the notebook to make sure everything is done.
- Check the class website for homework, remind your child to post on the homework blog if they have questions
- Review completed assignments. Reflect together on what is done well and how to improve future assignments, be sure your child understands the material.
- Share any concerns with your children's teachers about the amount or type of homework assigned. Be sure to let them know if your children are having difficulty or are unable to do most of it by themselves.
Reminders about Internet Use:
Surfing the Internet, chatting to friends on-line through instant messaging, or communicating through Facebook can be fun for young people but there is a growing trend where these experiences can lead to unpleasant encounters. We ask you to become Web-Aware. Below are some guiding thoughts for students going on-line.
Managing the Internet at Home:
- Learn about the Internet, and what your kids do on it (who they are speaking with)
- Create a family agreement on Internet use
- Accompany young children online as they learn their way around
- Create your own list of great sites
- Teach your children never to give out personal information
- Encourage good Netiquette
- Encourage an open dialogue with kids regarding Internet conduct (discuss “cyber bullying”)
- Put your connected computer in a well-used area of your home
- Explore technological tools to filter content and control Internet access
Media Smarts: http://mediasmarts.ca
Other recommended sites for parents:
- http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents
- http://www.netsmartzkids.org (for kids)
- https://www.kidsintheknow.ca/app/en/parents
NVSD internet safety links:
http://www.sd44.ca/District/Departments/ICT/Pages/Internet-Safety.aspx
Research Sources Cited:
ASCD: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar07/vol64/num06/The-Case-For-and-Against-Homework.aspx
SAGE Journals: http://joa.sagepub.com/content/22/2/194.short
21st Century Learning: http://www.21learn.org/archive/review-the-myth-of-homework-and-the-case-against-homework/