Thamer International Schools believe that homework plays a critical role in teaching and learning. It also provides an excellent opportunity for parents to become aware of their child's daily academic experiences.
The purpose of homework is to strengthen academic skills and reinforce concepts taught by teachers in school. Its value is borne out in a variety of research studies. Appropriately assigned homework not only improves student achievement, it also develops time management skills, self discipline, independence, personal responsibility, and the ability to follow directions and prioritize.
The intent of these assignments is to promote sound homework practices and identify the responsibilities of teachers in their role of assigning appropriate homework, students in their role of accomplishing the tasks assigned and parents in their role of encouraging and supporting their children.
A. Parent's Role and Responsibilities
It is the parent's role to reinforce the importance of homework and encourage completion in a timely manner. Parents need to monitor their child's homework. If parents set rules within their home that define where, when and under what conditions their child needs to complete their work, the task becomes more routine and less cumbersome. It is essential that parents provide guidance for their child, not answers. Parents are encouraged to use the School's website to find out specifically the agenda requirements when a child is absent.
B. Homework Tips for Parents
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Express to your child the importance of a good education and the value of doing homework.
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Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework. Make this location a permanent one.
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Watch your child for signs of frustration. Suggest a short break and then return to the task.
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If your child is struggling to complete an assignment, you may need to contact your child's teacher.
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At various times during the school year, positively reinforce how well your child is doing.
C. Student's Role and Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the student to record their homework assignments. Students are encouraged to seek clarification about homework assignments they feel are unclear. It is their responsibility to complete homework and return at the time it is due. Students at all levels who are experiencing difficulty with their homework are encouraged to seek help from their teachers.
It is incumbent on parents in the early grades and students themselves as they mature to request homework assignments missed based on absences. Students who are ill may take it upon themselves to complete homework while staying home, depending upon the illness.
D. Teacher's Role and Responsibilities
Teachers are responsible for assigning meaningful homework to all students and for providing the necessary explanation and direction required, so that students can accomplish the work with reasonable success. Teachers will be mindful of students with limited resources, like internet access at home, and will provide suggestions for how students might accomplish these assignments in school. Homework will be checked and proper feedback given to students.
Teachers need to be cognizant that students' illnesses may preclude them from completing and returning homework immediately following their sick days. Students may need an extended defined period of time established by the teacher to complete work that was assigned during their illness.
E. Amount of Homework
The following chart suggests the amount of time to be spent on homework at each grade level. There is flexibility in all of these times that are stated based on the fact that individual students complete work at different rates. A significant number of students prefer to complete a portion of their homework in school during study halls or other times that are available during school. Some children prefer to complete assigned homework in advance if they know they have other commitments beyond the school day such as sports competitions or family celebrations. Long-term projects require some homework scheduling on the part of the student, knowing that other assignments need to be completed as well.
To promote consistency and fairness, these are guidelines for the amount of time; however, teachers may vary in their beliefs and system for assigning work. For example, some teachers choose not to assign work over the weekend or during holiday periods.
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KG2: 30 minutes daily
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Grade 1& 2: 45 minutes daily
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Grade 3: 60 minutes daily
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Grade 4 – 7: 90 minutes daily
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Grade 8 – 12: 120 minutes daily
These time frames do not include recreational reading. Also, some teachers may assign a specific amount of additional time for reading.
G. Reading—An Important Activity in Conjunction with Homework
Homework often involves a reading assignment with follow up questions related to the comprehension of the material assigned. How often do teachers and parents emphasize the need to read an entire passage before answering any questions? This logical procedure is often not the process followed by the student. Both teachers and parents need to reinforce the appropriate strategy for completing homework. It is a process students need to follow not only to better their comprehension skills, but also to prepare them for standardized testing.
Most importantly, reading for pleasure in itself, is an extremely important leisure activity that has great impact on a student's success. Children are assigned Leveled Reading Books from Grades KG2 to 6. Every week a session is dedicated for this. Parents should encourage their children to read these books on a weekly basis and return them on time. Students from Grades 7 - 12 have easy access to the library where a plethora of books awaits them.
It is proven that students who read regularly are more academically successful at school and efficient in communication skills. It is important for teachers and parents to continually encourage students to read more and often.