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 What we did…
following issues • Mrs Douglas did a
• Late homework
whole school assembly
• Questions about homework
tackling these issues
• Worrying about homework
• Celebrated great
• Organisation and handing
in of homework
homework in assembly
• Presentation of homework
and rewarded discs
• Great variation in time • Staff are recording
spent and standards of homework on insight
homework
Some great examples of homework
• Are on display
What you have told us so far
Parents have fed back the What we have done so
following issues: far:
• Too much homework Plan this evening…….
• Not enough homework We will come back to this
• Students spending too at the end of the evening
long on homework
We did
• Students struggling to
organise and prioritise
homework
You Said
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?
Long Tasks
Short Tasks • Projects: longer pieces of work that pupils need
These should take no longer than 30 minutes. to complete over a number of weeks
• Research: sometimes students are asked to write • Booklets prepared on a particular topic
something in their books, sometimes they are not. • Prepare presentations/speeches/video’s
Staff will make this clear. This is normally to extend • Craft: To make a model, mask, wooden spoon
students knowledge from their lesson or to prepare puppet etc…
pupils for next lesson. • Revision
• 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…
How much homework is set?
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Science Design English English Maths
Drama* Maths Geography*
7a History* Art Science
Philosophy &
Spanish Ethics*
Science Design English English Maths
Drama* Maths Philosophy & Science
Spanish Art History*/ Ethics*
7b Geography*
Science Drama* English English Maths
Maths Geography* Science
7c History* Design
Art Philosophy &
Spanish Ethics*
Science Design English English Maths
Drama* Maths Science
History* Philosophy
7d & Ethics* Geography
Spanish Art
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 Drama: Define physical theatre, how have I
13th Oct used it?
14th Oct
Spanish: Learn first column of blue vocab sheet Science: Complete sheet and design cell
14th Oct (optional)
13th Oct
Spanish: Design an A4 leaflet/poster about English: Half hour on sonnet
Spanish festival Dia de la Hispanidad 13th Oct
14th Oct
Geography: Complete 1 task p1-3 from booklet Art: Finish Portrait, see sketch book 15th Oct
and advertising script 15th Oct
Art: Nelson Mandela, research portrait pictures Maths: Complete sheet
and write about them. Basic details 13th Oct
15th 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
Organising, prioritising and time management
• 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!
How you can help
Quality tasks
• 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
How you can help
Practicalities
• 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
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 said
Clearer
you would like to
instructions
be addressed.
Too much
Stick it to the homework
board
• We will compile
these and act We did
upon them
• We aim to post our
responses on the
school website