Homework feedback
- 1. Homework for the 21stHomework for the 21st CenturyCentury
- 3. Where have we comeWhere have we come from?from?
- 4. 6 years ago spelling lists text books and worksheets topic talks paper-based hand out Monday collect on Friday
- 5. Where are we Now?Where are we Now?
- 6. We’ve kept a lot... Worksheets topic talks Paper-based work
- 7. We’ve added... Computer based work Choice Creative, open ended tasks
- 8. New time limits Overnight Monday-Friday Monday-Monday 2 Weeks 1 Month
- 9. But is it working?But is it working?
- 10. Time spent on homework Most CCPS children are spending between 5 and 30 minutes on homework each day.
- 11. Time Spent on homework Parents seem generally satisfied with this:
- 12. It doesn’t suit everyIt doesn’t suit every family...family...
- 13. “Receiving homework on a Monday to be handed in Friday is too hard. Our family needs time on the weekend to catch up with homework.”
- 14. “The homework is having a notable impact on our family life in that as both my husband and I work, the majority of the homework needs to be completed on the weekend which is traditionally family time. In our situation, our daughter attends before and after school care on certain days and.. they do not have adequate computer resources or staff to assist the children should they need help with homework...Due to work and other commitments (swimming and piano) it is often after 7.30 pm before we can commence homework. This is too late for an 8 year old.”
- 15. TYPE OF HOMEWORKTYPE OF HOMEWORK
- 16. Most parents like computer based homework “Homework done on the computer is the most motivating such as mathletics, spelling city and slide shows.” “Computer based work (ie mathletics) often seems more exciting for the children. my daughter loves any homework that is craft related and also loves using powerpoint for her presentations”
- 17. a few weren’t so positive, “Can understand spelling, but stupid powerpoints seem useless.” “STOP the speeches, these should be prepared in class not turned into parent involved Channel 9 worthy powerpoint presentations” “I don't think mathletics is good as a stand alone assignment.” “I dislike the Spelling City computer program.”
- 18. Access was also an issue “Our daughter attends before and after school care on certain days and.. they do not have adequate computer resources or staff to assist the children should they need help with homework.”
- 19. The Y2 Matrix style Homework Is popular “Year 2 homework (2012) because choice, creative and flexible with respect to daily time-allotment.” “Where they can choose to complete certain tasks from a range of tasks. Where they can be a little more creative themselves rather than just completing worksheets.”
- 20. The Y2 matrix style homework is popular, • “The homework being set for 2/3E is a fabulous model, as it was in Yr 2! The children have flexbility to choose the tasks they would like to complete and understand that there is a 4 week window in which to complete it.” • “I think the assignment 'scenario' in year 2 is great. I wrote my child does 5-10min which is an avge. Sometimes we do 20mins and sometimes nothing. I love the flexiblity of this year’s homework program.”
- 21. but some found it hard to manage. “For my family the best type of homework is a reader followed by one other item that is the same every day for a week (for example a maths sheet or spelling lists). It needs to be repetitive and easy to pick up and do for my kids to get through it. While the computer related tasks are great if I don't stand over my kids they find their way something different and don't finish the task! The project type tasks are good for the kids but one a term would be great.”
- 22. Some prefer the Y3 model. “Weekly homework in Y3 vs style given in Y2 (5 weeks at once) she likes the spelling lists gives her a sense of achievement. She likes the bonus /optional activities on the weekly sheet. She enjoys doing the presentations - it is great she know when she is scheduled to give them and the topics. This way she can get it finished on the weekend.”
- 23. Some want traditional homework, “Bring back the old style sheets they would get for homework!!” “Drop projects. Focus on basic maths practise, reading and keeping a daily journal” “Simple maths revision. Writing a few sentences or reading” “Specific homework sheets to complete. Not choose this or that. Work that is consistent and revised school work”
- 24. others Are against homework. “Please let my children be free after school to play, be creative, leave behind the classroom. Let them value free time or activities without the spectre of homework hanging over them.” “My belief is that homework is useless, and it's just another thing for stressed-out parents to try to manage. It's also outsourcing the work that teachers should be doing.”
- 25. Others are against homework “Research shows that homework is not necessary at primary school and at its worst, stresses children when they need time to themselves. I'm all for a ban on homework.” “It's just another stress factor for parents. I'm a single mother working full-time. There's no way I can supervise homework on top of everything else. Plus I honestly don't believe it makes that much difference.”
- 26. Many found the Monday -Friday model difficult • “Receiving homework on a Monday to be handed in Friday is too hard. Our family needs time on the weekend to catch up with homework.” • “ I found the year X homework a struggle as you got it on the Monday and had to hand it in on the Friday. My children go to after school care three days and then have an activity on the other day and it is a struggle.”
- 27. Many found the Monday -Friday model difficult • “Allow for homework to be done on weekends if needed and handed in on a Monday.” • “At the moment, homework sheet is only available Monday to Friday. My child likes to complete her homework, but we have many extracurricular activities, so that it would be helpful if she could also work on the homework on weekend days.”
- 28. The Value of Homework -The Value of Homework - Parent ViewsParent Views
- 29. Parents value homework for: Teaching valuable habits and routines that will be needed in high school. Revision of core curriculum - without which their children may fall behind. Opportunity to find areas their children need help with To find out what is being taught at school
- 31. The purpose of homework revision and reinforce concepts teach time management skills to show parents what students are learning complete unfinished work to meet parental expectations
- 32. Most valuable forms of homework Topic talks Enrichment/Blooms/Choice/Creative Research Spelling Basic number work
- 37. Homework marking time (out of hours)
- 38. Cost Vs Benefits
- 39. Almost every teacher said ‘NO” • “No I believe this time could be better spent creating and delivering quality lesson” • “Probably not, but If it helps a student to better understand a concept or how to spell a word I am happy.” • “No, although feedback from students who have gone on to high school indicate that the homework received in Stage 3 prepared them for high school homework.” • “Yes, providing the homework is targeted to learning outcomes. I absolutely disagree with 'the giving bookwork to finish at home' approach. Chn who can't finish in lesson time need support from a teacher in class.”
- 40. Where to from here?Where to from here?
- 41. Review the research Does homework make a difference? Does homework teach organisational skills? What are the most effective homework practices?
- 42. Consider the needs of C21 learners What skills do our students need to learn? Does our homework model suit the needs of C21 families?
- 43. Consider the costs and benefits How can we plan an effective homework program that is resource friendly? Is the outcome worth the time spent administering the program? Resources in Outcomes
- 44. This Term... Establish a common purpose and vision for our homework Define school criteria for what makes a good homework program Examine our current programs and identify adjustments we can make
- 45. Next Term... Share our purpose and vision with our community Trial approaches that fit with our school definition of good homework. Reflect and Review
- 46. Fourth Term... Determine the practices that will become embedded in our homework programs Write a new homework policy Share our policy with the community Plan for the long term - how can effective homework practices be maintained over the coming years.