Homework Policy Definition

Homework is defined as those learning activities that are assigned to students by teachers and completed during non-classroom hours.

Rationale

At Lambton-Kent, we believe that homework is instrumental in building lifelong learning skills. There are many positive outcomes to completing homework that include but are not limited to the following:

  • Homework is a means to promote task commitment and time management thus building self-esteem and guiding students in taking responsibility and initiative.
  • Homework is a means to strengthen the partnership between the school and home.
  • Homework will assist students in the development of self-discipline.
  • Homework will help the students to realize that learning can take place in a variety of settings.
  • Homework will assist students in the development and practice of problem solving.
  • Homework will guide students in decision-making processes and in learning to accept the consequences of not completing work.
  • Homework will help to establish a rapport between parents and children.
  • Homework will help parents gain a better understanding of their children's areas of strengths and difficulties.
  • Homework will help to increase the student's academic achievement.
  • Homework and its relationship to Learning Skills.

The new Ontario Provincial Report Card provides a record of the learning skills demonstrated by the student in every course. Each teacher will report on them for each student on the Ontario Provincial Report Card. The five categories of learning skills are: Works Independently, Teamwork, Organization, Work Habits, and Initiative. Homework completion is directly related to Work Habits. When evaluating Homework Completion as one part of the Work Habits category of the learning skills, teachers at Lambton-Kent will be using the following expectations as a guide:

  • Completes homework on time and with care
  • Comes to class prepared for learning
  • Completes tasks by designing innovative procedures
  • Puts forth consistent effort
  • Follows directions and completes all homework tasks
  • Shows attention to detail
  • Demonstrates interest and enthusiasm in homework assignments
  • Organizes materials and equipment effectively
  • Begins work promptly
  • Follows directions and completes tasks
  • Chooses and uses materials and equipment correctly, safely, and creatively
  • Utilizes time effectively
  • Preserves with complex projects that require sustained effort
  • Attends to task at hand
  • Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability

Types of Homework

Preparation - helps students prepare for the next day�s lesson.

Practice - provides students with the needed review and reinforcement about materials or skills presented in a previous lesson.

Extension - gives students an opportunity to expand on concepts that were taught in class.

Creativity - includes analysis, synthesis, and evaluation where student use resources to investigate their own ideas.

Roles

Administrators

  • Teach the necessary skills required to complete homework assignments
    • Give clear, explicit instructions and feedback
    • Provide homework assignments which are integrated into the instructional plan for the class and appropriate for the varying abilities and circumstances of the students
    • Stress the importance of homework to students
  • Record data regarding homework completion to assist in completing the learning skills section of the Ontario Provincial Report Card
    • Communicate to both the students and parents the role of homework in the evaluation of the student
    • Be familiar with the homework policy of the Board as well as the school.
    • Communicate with the school administration and other teachers to coordinate test schedules, exam schedules, and project deadlines to minimize overload on students as much as possible

Students

The student's role regarding homework is to:

  • Understand what is expected and ask questions to clarify expectations when necessary
  • Contact the teacher to find out about homework assigned during the student�s absence
  • Complete homework tasks to the best of his/her ability
  • Ask for help from the teacher when necessary
  • Submit homework assignments on time
  • Avoid excessive commitments outside of school that will not leave time for homework.
  • Use the student planner to assist in remembering and organizing tasks for optimal use of time

Parents

The parent/guardian�s role regarding homework is to:

  • Create an encouraging and supportive climate for the child in the home
  • Establish a regular time and place for work to be done at home
  • Help their children to plan their time to complete assignments and allow time for recreation and family events.
  • Communicate directly with the teacher when necessary

Time Commitments

The amount of time a student spends on schoolwork at home depends on the student�s course selections, abilities, needs, interests, out-of-class involvements, and family priorities. There are a wide variety of programs offered at the secondary level. This also means that there will be different expectations regarding homework in each subject area. (See Subject guidelines below for more details.) These factors make it extremely difficult to set a guideline for maximum time to be spent on completion of homework and home study. However, it is not unusual for a student in secondary school to spend a minimum of 2 hours per evening on homework.

Once in secondary school, students are responsible for ensuring that they understand what work has been assigned and when it is due. All students are given a school planner at the start of each school year to assist them with time management and the organization of homework, tests, and assignments.

Subject Guidelines

Homework guidelines for courses will be given to each student as part of the Course Outline and Evaluation overview provided at the start of each semester. These guidelines will be based on current Ministry curriculum and be in line with current Board Policy and Regulations.