1. Why is homework given?

Homework is part of our overall school policy. It is based on the following principles:

2. When is Homework Given?

Homework is given on week nights. However, children may occassionaly have a night free from homework for various reasons:
Special school occassions
When a class wins the competition for the best ‘líne’ in the school-yard etc.

3.Samples of Possible Homework Assignments

Children in Junior and Senior Infants can expect reading and a page of an activity book or maths, on a daily basis.

First and Second class pupils can expect to have English and Irish reading, spellings and maths on a daily basis, as well as written activities.

Children in Third and Fourth classes can expect to have English and Irish reading, spellings, tables and written exercises. History, geography and nature study/science will also feature as homework in these classes.

In Fifth and Sixth classes children can expect to have reading as well as written and learning tasks in English and Irish, maths and spellings on a daily basis. Homework will also consist of learnig and written activities in history, geography and nature study/science.

Literacy Links - which frequently features as part of homework - is a paired reading scheme used to develop literacy.

Children who attend learning support classes can expect to receive reading, writing and a wordlist from the learning support teacher.

Religion is an integral part of the school programme and consequently homework may include activities from this programme.

Music is also an integral part of the curriculum and children may receive music to practice once a week.

Children who participate in a modern language class (Italian, French or German) may also receive homework based on these activities.

Homework will normally contain a balance between reading tasks, learning tasks and writing tasks. The balance between these tasks may vary from time to time and from class to class.

It is important to remember that oral work and ‘learning by heart’ (spellings, poetry, tables etc.) are equally as important as written work.

4. How long should homework take?

The following are general guidelines on length of time appropiate for homework at different class levels. These should be looked on as average recommended times rather than strict guidelines, as homework will vary.

Junior Infants: 10 mins.
Senior Infants: 20 mins.
First Class: 30 - 45 mins.
Second Class: 30 - 60 mins.
Third / Fourth Class: 60 - 75 mins.
Fifth / Sixth Class: 60-80 mins

The following are general guidelines on homework:

Each child must have a homework copy, in which all homework is taken down and completed. A parent/guardian should sign this copy after homework is completed and indicate how long the homework took to complete.

The homework copy may also be used by the teacher to send notes / messages to the parent regarding the child and vice versa. If for any reason the homework cannot be done please note this in the child's copy.

Parents should check all aspects of homework before signing the homework copy. This both ensures that the child has the correct work done and enables parents to monitor their child's progress.

5.How can parents help with homework?

It is important to establish a homework routine and the following is advised:
Set aside a quiet regular time.
Your child should be sitting comfortably at a table.
If your child is working independently - be available to help and show an interest in what is being done. Praise your child's efforts at every opportunity.
If working with your child you feel yourself becoming impatient - stop – as to continue will only have a negative effect.
Each child should be encouraged to complete his/her homework fully each night.
As well as completing the work, children should be encouraged to keep their copies clean, tidy and neat. Presentation is important.

Aside from school set homework, children’s learning can be enhanced through various home based activities. Children in junior classes should be encouraged to read or be read to, children in senior classes should be encouraged to take an interest in current affairs through newspapers, television etc. Watching and talking about news items can be very educational.

Parents should communicate with school about homework when:

A child cannot do homework due to family circumstances
When a child cannot do homework because he/she cannot understand some aspect of it.
If the time being spent at homework is considerably longer that the time recommended by the school.

6.How often do teachers monitor homework?

Ideally teachers like to check homework on a daily basis. As children get older and learn to work independently, some items of homework are checked less often e.g. every second day or once a week.Some items of homework may be checked by children themselves under the direction of the teacher and this, in itself, can be a useful learning process for the children.