I started on my homework
but my pen ran out of ink.
My hamster ate my homework.
My computer's on the blink.
I accidentally dropped it
in the soup my mom was cooking.
My brother flushed it down the toilet
when I wasn't looking.
My mother ran my homework
through the washer and the dryer.
An airplane crashed into our house.
My homework caught on fire.
Tornadoes blew my notes away.
Volcanoes struck our town.
My notes were taken hostage
by an evil killer clown.
Some aliens abducted me.
I had a shark attack.
A pirate swiped my homework
and refused to give it back.
I worked on these excuses
so darned long my teacher said,
"I think you'll find it's easier
to do the work instead."
•
Kenn Nesbitt
What we have noticed in school…
Staff have noticed the
following issues
• Late homework
• Questions about homework
• Worrying about homework
• Organisation and handing in
of homework
• Presentation of homework
• Great variation in time
spent and standards of
homework
What we did…
• Mrs Douglas did a whole
school assembly tackling
these issues
• Celebrated great homework
in assembly and rewarded
discs
• Staff are recording
homework on insight
Some great examples of homework
• Are on display
What you have told us so far
Parents have fed back the
following issues:
• Too much homework
• Not enough homework
• Students spending too
long on homework
• Students struggling to
organise and prioritise
homework
You Said
What we have done so
far:
Plan this evening…….
We will come back to this
at the end of the evening
We did
HOMEWORK
Objectives
To know why we set homework
To understand the different types of tasks we
set and the challenges students face
Can identify ways in which school and parents
can better support students in their homework
Why do we set homework?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Raise achievement
Consolidate knowledge
Extend learning
Encourage curiosity and research skills
Develop lifelong independent learners
Develop study and work routines
What types of homework are set?
Short Tasks
These should take no longer than 30 minutes.
• Research: sometimes students are asked to write
something in their books, sometimes they are not.
Staff will make this clear. This is normally to extend
students knowledge from their lesson or to prepare
pupils for next lesson.
• Written: answers to questions or other written tasks
• Posters/Pictures: To summarise or consolidate
knowledge, extend artwork
• Prepare presentations/speeches/video’s
• Craft: To make a model, mask, wooden spoon puppet
etc…
Long Tasks
• Projects: longer pieces of work that pupils need
to complete over a number of weeks
• Booklets prepared on a particular topic
• Prepare presentations/speeches/video’s
• Craft: To make a model, mask, wooden spoon
puppet etc…
• Revision
How much homework is set?
7a
Monday
Science
History*
Spanish
Tuesday
Design
Drama*
Wednesday
English
Maths
Art
Science
Spanish
Design
Drama*
Art
English
Maths
History*/
Geography*
Science
History*
Spanish
Drama*
Science
History*
Spanish
Design
Drama*
English
Maths
Design
Art
English
Maths
Philosophy &
Ethics*
Art
7b
7c
7d
Thursday
English
Geography*
Philosophy &
Ethics*
English
Philosophy &
Ethics*
Friday
Maths
Science
English
Geography*
Philosophy &
Ethics*
English
Geography
Maths
Science
Maths
Science
Maths
Science
How is homework set and recorded
• Homework will be displayed by the teacher
with a date due in lesson time.
• Homework should be recorded in the pupil
planner as a first port of call. Teachers will give
assistance if pupils need help writing it in.
• Teachers will also record homework on
“Insight” which you can check and print out.
Insight
How is homework assessed?
• This will vary between subjects and different
homework tasks.
What happens if homework is not
done?
• Students receive 1 chance, this is normally
written in the pupil planner
• If homework is not completed by the next
lesson a detention is set
• If this continues you will be contacted
BACK TO SCHOOL
Imagine you are in study support on
Wednesday after school.
1. Use the cards to prioritise your
homework
2. Choose one to complete now!
History: Complete all cartoons on sheet
13th Oct
Drama: Define physical theatre, how have I
used it?
14th Oct
Spanish: Learn first column of blue vocab sheet
14th Oct
Science: Complete sheet and design cell
(optional)
13th Oct
Spanish: Design an A4 leaflet/poster about
Spanish festival Dia de la Hispanidad
14th Oct
English: Half hour on sonnet
13th Oct
Geography: Complete 1 task p1-3 from booklet
and advertising script 15th Oct
Art: Finish Portrait, see sketch book 15th Oct
Art: Nelson Mandela, research portrait pictures
and write about them. Basic details
15th Oct
Maths: Complete sheet
13th Oct
How to support your child
with their homework
Or how to
turn this…
… to this
Why is it important for parents to be involved in homework?
Studies in Britain have shown that children who are supported
by their families with homework are likely to perform
significantly better in academic examinations at 16 years old
and beyond than those who do not.
By showing an interest you are communicating the fact that
school work is important and needs to be taken seriously.
Issues that students face with homework
• Organisation
• Prioritising tasks
• Understanding the tasks
• Focus & concentration
• Time management
• Quality work
How you can help
Organising, prioritising and time management
• Check your child’s planner and Insight every day
• Provide some space and time
• Get into a routine
• Use rewards
• Give time limits
• Limit the use of TV/electronic devices that sap time and
focus!
How you can help
Quality tasks
• Read through the instructions and help to get them started
• Encourage your child to talk to staff if ever unsure
• Check the end result for quality
• Test them – Spanish vocabulary, spellings, times tables etc
• Ask questions
• Encourage reading
How you can help
Practicalities
• Have a homework folder
• Label the pieces of work with the child’s name, teachers
name and due date
• Check all pieces are in the folder & school bag ready for the
next day
We understand!
• Family life is very busy
• Good communication is vital
• It’s a joint effort
You Said, we did…………
•
•
•
On your post it
write down
anything about
homework which
you would like to
be addressed.
Stick it to the
board
We will compile
these and act
upon them
We aim to post
our responses on
the school website
Clearer
instructions
You said
Too much
homework
We did