Home Work

Aims of homework:

to reinforce work done in class

to revise

to extend classwork

to assess the child’s understanding or progress

to develop good working habits

to develop the child’s ability to work independently

Who? For all classes

When? All pupils are given homework from Monday to Thursday, inclusive. Homework will not normally be given at weekends but may be from time to time at the class teacher’s discretion. Homework will not be given on nights when the children will participate in school activities e.g. services for the sacraments, school concerts etc... In recognition of the visit of the Lord Mayor to the school and of special occasions such as a match victory, production of drama etc.,no homework will be given if all members of a class are involved and only oral homework will be given if some members of a class are involved.

learning, i.e. tables, spellings, poetry, songs, prayers

reading, i.e. formal/pleasure/CAPER.

writing, i.e. practice/different writing genre/writing process

maths

research for project

study.

Naí. Shóisir. Colouring, reading, maths, writing.
Time involved - 10 minutes

Naí. Shínsir. Reading, spelling, religion, maths, handwriting skills, writing.
Time involved - 20 minutes

Rang 1 / Rang 2. English and Irish reading, English and Irish spellings, maths, tables, religion, writing, handwriting skills, nature study, poetry, music.
Time involved - 40 minutes

Rang 3 / 4. Irish and English reading, Irish and English spelling, Irish and English writing, Irish and English poetry, tables, maths, nature study, religion, history, geography, music, research for project.
Time involved - 50 minutes

Rang 5 / 6. Irish and English reading, Irish and English spelling, Irish and English writing, tables, Irish and English.maths, poetry, nature study, religion, history, geography, music, research for project.
Time involved - 1 hour

The recommended times are only guidelines because too much emphasis on "time spent" may cause a habit of "clock watching" to develop. The best criterion is has the child made an honest effort to do the homework. If your child regularly exceeds the recommended times, and this is not due to poor work habits, you are welcome to visit the school to discuss this matter with the class teacher.

Guidelines for Parents/Guardians:

Homework forms a positive link between home and school. Parents or guardians can give valuable support to the work of the school and help the child greatly, by showing a positive interest in and encouragement of homework.

Parents or guardians should ensure that children complete the work outlined by:

having a set time each day for homework.

providing a specific quiet place conducive to work and free from distractions i.e. television, music, other children playing, food.

supervising the homework.

helping the child to understand the assignment if necessary but never actually doing the work for the child.

listening to formal reading, spellings, tables, poetry, prayers. Oral work is as important as written work. Please listen to the child read, and examine spellings and tables.

checking that homework has been completed and always signing the pupil’s homework notebook.

To develop independence, a sense of responsibility and as a preparation for second level education, pupils in Rang 4, 5 and 6 will not always write down homework from the chalkboard but should remember the assigned work.

Parents or guardians are asked to see that this work has been completed satisfactorily. Only written excuses from parent/guardian will be accepted from children who have not completed their homework.

The class teacher will inform the parent(s) or guardian (s) of the child via a note in the homework journal if any aspect of the child’s homework has not been completed.

The teacher should always be informed if the child has a problem with a particular aspect of homework.

An appointment should be made to meet the class teacher if it frequently takes the child considerably longer than is recommended to complete the homework or if the child has persistent difficulties with any aspect of homework.

The teaching staff thank for your co-operation.