PYP Homework Procedures

Home Tasks complement the dynamic learning that occurs in our classrooms at Discovery College. Learning is a life long process, which does not stop at the school gate; students make important learning gains from regular, positive interactions with the family. Home Tasks should be an enjoyable experience and not too time-consuming.

Aims
The aims of the Home Task Program are:

• To provide positive communication between the school and the home
• To promote and understanding of the school program
• To foster and develop independent, regular study habits

Guidelines
Home Tasks will cater for all students' needs.

Year 1 and 2:
Daily reading to parents, with parents and by parents, as well as real life numeracy activities related to numbers, counting and simple mental computation (adding and subtracting) should be part of family life. A consistent evening routine will adequately fulfil the above needs. There may be some times when there are ‘one-off' tasks to complete or a series of tasks related to a unit of inquiry.
As a guideline Monday to Thursday - 15 to 20 mins as a maximum.

Years 3 - 6:
Reading and literature are important aspects of our programme. Years 3 - 6 students are expected to spend time on private reading each night. Automatic maths mental computations and games should also be part of daily routines.
As a guideline the times below are suggested times per night for specific Home tasks (four times a week).

Year 3 - 15 minutes
Year 4 - 20 minutes
Year 5 - 30 minutes
Year 6 - 40 minutes

Each class will communicate via the diary when home tasks are given and how and when they are to be completed. This allows for flexibility across levels.

There will be appropriate liaison between parents and teachers to ensure common understandings of the purpose, content and process for Home Tasks. This will be done through information nights, parent newsletters and parent/teacher discussions.

Home Tasks may be set by teachers other than the classroom teacher e.g. Mandarin. Classroom teachers will take this into consideration when they are setting their home tasks.

Parents' roles
Parents are asked to:

• Provide a quiet area for children to complete their home tasks
• Be involved in the reading at home program by listening to, reading with and reading to the children (in equal amounts). Remember the teaching of reading is done at school: reading at home needs to be an enjoyable experience.
• Check that the work recorded in the diary is completed.
• Write a note in the diary or contact the teacher if there are any perceived problems
• Ensure that the children are thorough and careful in completing home tasks
• Discuss the task and guide the children but avoid the temptation of doing it for them
• Leave the activity and make note of this in the child's diary if there is an issue, which cannot be resolved using the above measures so that the teacher can address it the next day.

Remember: Home Tasks should be an enjoyable experience for the child.