Homework Guidelines

Homework serves as an integral part of the classroom work and is considered to be a part of the student’s total performance.
It is difficult to determine time allotments for assignments.  Only the content area teacher has the knowledge and insight of student needs.  The nature and type of homework assignment given is therefore within the teacher’s scope of responsibility.

Typical homework assignments

• Continue work started in class
• Read textbooks, novels, short stories, essays, biographies, reference materials, and magazine articles to be used in reports
• Write themes, compositions, and science experiments from notes
• Review lesson to be sure the main points are mastered in preparation for tests
• Drill on fundamental skills of any particular subject
• Research on long-term projects, with periodic progress reports to help students budget their time
• Edit themes and write in final form
• Memorize poetry, plans, speeches, foreign language vocabularies, and evaluate mathematical theories and formulas
• Listen to radio programs, forums, concerts, and other programs related to class work
• Observe and obtain ideas from field trips, plays, TV programs in the fields of art, music, history, civics and public speaking, on which students turn in evaluations to the teacher
• Interview and gather information from authoritative sources
• Other activities may include art or craft projects, notebooks, maps, industrial arts projects, participation in home-making activities, etc.

Purpose of homework

• In order that a pupil may progressively acquire home study techniques, and develop ability for the type of independent work which becomes more and more essential as she/he progresses through the grades
• As a means of “making-up” work lost because of absence
• To permit work that can be done more effectively at home than at school
• To meet the need for extra study or drill in an area where a pupil is having difficulty

Amount of homework
It is most difficult to pre-determine time allotments for given grades for only the classroom teacher has the insight and knowledge of the need of his/her pupils. The nature of, and type of home assignments given, is therefore within the teacher’s scope of responsibility.  ALL pupils should have homework experiences during each school week.

It is anticipated that homework will be given at least three times per week for an average of one half hour each evening in each subject. Individual pupils may require more or less time. This guide- line does not attempt to limit in any way the teacher’s guided enrichment of the program when it is desirable.

Extended Absence for Non-Medical Reasons
In the case of a planned extended absence, homework will be assigned only on material that has been taught.  In the elementary and middle schools, teachers may suggest student activities that are related to the trip.  For example, a travel journal, or a series of letters based on the student’s travel experiences might be appropriate.

Reasons for the assignment of homework

• Acquire home study techniques and the ability to work independently
• Make-up work due to absence
• Work that can be done more effectively at home (projects, reports on special events on radio or TV, etc.            
• Need for extra study or drill in a subject area

Time allotments
It is not possible to dictate or predetermine homework time allotments for given grades.  The classroom teacher has the insight and knowledge to determine pupil needs.  The nature and type of assignment is within the teacher’s scope of responsibility.

All pupils beginning at the Kindergarten level should have homework experiences during each school week because homework is an integral part of the total school program.   The following time allotments are suggested:

• Grade K – Homework should be given occasionally and should not exceed 15 minutes daily
• Grade 1-3 – Homework should be chosen carefully and should not exceed one half hour per evening
• Grade 4 – Homework should not exceed three quarters of an hour per evening
• Grade 5 – Homework should not exceed one hour per evening 

These time allotments are not to be considered as maximum requirements.  Selected pupils may require more or less time. Guidelines do not attempt to limit in any way the teacher guided enrichment of the program when that is desirable.  Homework assignments should be avoided on Fridays and/or special occasions (i.e. Holidays).

Nature of assignments

• Assignments should involve only material on which the child can work independently.
• Homework should not require teaching by parents, but may involve help from them.
• Research should not require the use of resources not readily available at home (unless materials are available on a take-home basis).
• Requirements must be clearly understood by all pupils.