At Nundah we consider homework will be a needs-satisfying activity that provides valuable learning experiences for students. Students will be encouraged to do homework, in particular reading, maths concepts, and planned parts of longer term tasks and assignments to build study skills.
Homework should not be destructive of relationships between the teacher and student and within families.
Teachers at Nundah recommend homework for students and will endeavour to make it purposeful, achievable and interesting. We hope students at Nundah will find homework to be beneficial and enjoyable.
Purposeful
Homework, whenever it is given, should have purpose for the student. It should be immediately useful or its future use should be explained. It may involve consolidation and revision or extension work. Homework will not be given just for the sake of it. If in doubt, reading is very valuable homework.
Achievable
Any homework given will be seen by the child to be achievable. Homework needs to be differentiated to cater for the different ability levels and family circumstances of students. It should be designed to be completed within a reasonable time frame, for example:
10 to 15 minutes for Years 1 to 3.
15 to 20 minutes for Years 4 and 5.
20 to 30 minutes for Years 6 +.
Interesting
Homework should be linked, where possible, to the interests and needs of the students. It should be presented in a variety of ways that support different student learning styles.
It is also appropriate for students to negotiate homework tasks that are purposeful, achievable and interesting with their teacher or parents. They may do these tasks in addition to or in lieu of class homework.
Recommended
If homework is purposeful, achievable and interesting, students will most likely want to complete it. But for homework to be needs-satisfying and to build upon relationships, children should never be coerced into doing it. Remember, it is the students’ homework, not the parents.