HOMEWORK
3.6.1
What is homework?
Homework refers to those assignments which are to be completed outside of class
time. Homework is based on the premises that the school day is not long enough for a
student to practice and/or use all of the skills, concepts, and understandings taught
in class and that learning is not confined to the school, but takes place in the home
and in the community as well. In addition, homework includes home study in which
students study course materials on their own without a teacher's noted
assignment.
What are the objectives of homework?
The objectives for homework are:
1. To develop independent work habits in the learner.
2. To give added practice for skills being developed in an area.
3. To use as a diagnostic tool for individual or class teaching.
4. To give the learner the opportunity to organize and plan time.
5. To give the learner opportunities to use resources in the community.
6. To enable the learner to get more out of his/her classroom time with the
teacher.
7. To broaden learning through independent research and discovery.
Respective Responsibilities:
STUDENTS
1. Record the directions for homework in an assignment notebook.
2. Make sure the directions are clearly understood.
3. Maintain an appropriate study environment.
4. Accept responsibility for completing assignments and keeping material in
order.
5. Complete written assignments individually unless instructed otherwise.
6. Budget time properly for long term assignments.
7. Recognize that homework is not limited to written assignments, but includes
studying, reading, and/or researching.
8. Comply with each teacher's homework policy, particularly regarding penalties
for late papers.
9. Self-correct homework to avoid repetition of errors in the future.
PARENTS
1. Provide suitable place for study.
2. Establish a consistent study time.
3. Check student assignments in notebook.
4. Oversee long-term assignments and assist student in learning to budget time
accordingly.
5. Encourage student to accept responsibility for completing homework
assignments.
6. Assist with - but do not do - the work.
7. Recognize that homework is not limited to written assignments, but includes
studying, reading, and/or researching.
Guidelines for Homework Assignments at Grade Levels
In addition
to these daily assignments, students may also be assigned short and long term
projects as determined by the teachers.
Kindergarten
One 15 minute
assignment per week and additional assignments are optional.
Grade One
Approximately
15 minutes three times a week.
Grade Two
Approximately
30 minutes four times a week.
Grade Three
Approximately
45 minutes four times a week.
Grade Four
Approximately
60 minutes four times a week.
Grade Five
Approximately
60 minutes four times a week.
Grade Six
Three to five
assignments each night lasting approximately 90 minutes in total per
night.
Grades Seven and Eight
Assignments in
all subjects. Students should be studying and doing homework for
a minimum of 1 1/2
to 2 hours.
Grades Nine through Twelve
Assignments in
all subjects. Students should be studying and doing homework for
a minimum of 2 to
2 1/2 hours.
First Reading of Millis School Committee: April 24, 2001
Second Reading of Millis School Committee: May 1, 2001
Approved Date: May 1, 2001