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 What we have done so far: Plan this evening……. We will come back to this at the end of the evening You Said 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? MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday 7a Science History* Spanish Design Drama* English Maths Art English Geography* Philosophy & Ethics* Maths Science 7b Science Spanish Design Drama* Art English Maths History*/ Geography* English Philosophy & Ethics* Maths Science 7c Science History* Spanish Drama*English Maths Design Art English Geography* Philosophy & Ethics* Maths Science 7d Science History* Spanish Design Drama* English Maths Philosophy & Ethics* Art English Geography 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 13 th Oct Drama: Define physical theatre, how have I used it? 14 th Oct Spanish: Learn first column of blue vocab sheet 14 th Oct Science: Complete sheet and design cell (optional) 13 th Oct Spanish: Design an A4 leaflet/poster about Spanish festival Dia de la Hispanidad 14 th Oct English: Half hour on sonnet 13 th Oct Geography: Complete 1 task p1-3 from booklet and advertising script 15 th Oct Art: Finish Portrait, see sketch book 15 th Oct Art: Nelson Mandela, research portrait pictures and write about them. Basic details 15 th Oct Maths: Complete sheet 13 th 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 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! Organising, prioritising and time management

How you can help 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 Quality tasks

How you can help 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 Practicalities

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 You said We did Clearer instructions Too much homework