There is so much discussion around the value of homework: there’s research that tells us there’s no value at all, and there’s research that shows clearly that small amounts of home learning time reinforcing concepts that have been learnt during class time can be very beneficial. I admit, as both a teacher and parent, I have really struggled with it at times so I want to be very clear in explaining my beliefs about home learning and expectations of your children.

I believe:

• Home learning that involves short bursts of revision help consolidate earlier learning.
• Home learning that asks students to reflect on earlier learning deepens their understandings.
• Home learning that asks students to take responsibility for directing some of their learning builds independence.
• Home learning that encourages conversation between students and families builds community.

I expect:

• Students will commit to engaging in home learning for a total of 40-45 minutes every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during term time.
• Students will read for at least 15 minutes at home every day.
• Students will engage in 20-30 minutes of another home learning activity every night. If the ‘other’ home learning activity includes reading this ‘counts’ as the reading for the night.
• Students will record their home learning in their diaries daily.
• Students will report their progress or submit their learning product during ‘check in’ the following day.

Each term I will publish a schedule that outlines the home learning activities for each day of the week.

Term 1
Monday: Project work
Tuesday: Spelling capacity matrix
Wednesday: Way back Wednesday reflection
Thursday: Spelling capacity matrix