A PARENTS AND CARERS’ GUIDE TO HOMEWORK
Parents and carers have different memories of homework.   Sometimes these are pleasurable, sometimes not.  Homework could be interesting and fun but it could also be tedious and frustrating.   But whatever your experience, most parents and carers still believe that homework is important for their children.

Experts tend to agree on four basic purposes of good, well constructed homework namely in helping:
children to become more enthusiastic about learning.  This is more likely to happen when children have some choice, e.g. where to learn, what time to do it, what method or style suits them best and who to do it with;
to develop new skills and practice old ones.  Skills can be anything from reading more quickly to better presentation of work.  It needs to be within a task that children can see the point of and enjoy;
pupils consolidate what has been learned in class;
pupils develop confidence to deal with setbacks and frustrations, to overcome difficulties and solve problems.

SUCCESSFUL HOMEWORK WILL DEPEND ON:
How interesting/engaging the task is.
What the rival attractions are.
The child’s relationship with the teacher.
What kind of day he/she has had.
How much of it there is.
The place where it is done.
The time when it is done.
Who, if anybody, it is done with.
How much encouragement he/she receives at home.

MAKING HOMEWORK WORK WITH THE POWER OF THREE
To get everything working well together rests with three key people:
The Teacher
The Parent
The Pupil.

If all three are positive about homework then this is the ideal.

Replace any of the three with a negative sign then learning becomes less effective.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT?
The Teacher:
To set homework which is interesting/right level.
To mark homework timeously where appropriate.
To be aware of other pressures on pupils.
To be realistic about deadlines.
To give recognition and “reward” for effort and work well done.
To check homework diary weekly.

The Pupil:
To keep careful note of what is required and when it is due.
To plan ahead.
To make time and do homework carefully/well.
To look for help when stuck or frustrated.
To make sure to hand in completed homework on or before the due date.

The Parent:
To know what the school/teachers expect of pupil.
To know what the school/teachers expect of parents and carers.
To talk with the child about his/her learning.
To listen to worries/complaints and be patient.
To get in touch with the school if there are worries.
To sign homework diary weekly.

THE POWER OF PLACE
Where children do their homework is a very important factor.

Thinking of yourself……….
Where do you feel most comfortable when you are Reading?  Writing?  Working?

For children where they learn is important.  They will have their own preferences.  It is helpful to talk to them and consider what you could do together to create a nice homework place.

What are the options?
Bedroom?
Desk?
Bed?
Floor?
Beanbag?
Music on or off?
Kitchen Table?
Living Room Sofa?
Dining Room Table?
TV on or off?
Alone or with company?

HEALTH WARNING

DON’T
Insist they turn off music.
Discourage them from doing their homework with friends.
Require them to do their homework as soon as they come home from school.
Nag!

DO
Talk About
What kind of music helps you learn.
What kind of homework is best done with music off.
Remember learning is a social activity.  It not only makes it more enjoyable but you learn better along with others, as long as you stay on task!
Agree on a time which suits them best and get them to stick to it.
Check their homework diary and sign it on a weekly basis.

The following is a rough guide to the amounts of homework expected at various stages:

S1 and S2 - up to 4 hours per week.

S3 and S4 - Up to 8 hours per week (including self-motivated revision)

S5 and S6 - Up to 13 hours per week (including self-motivated revision)

If your child is happy doing more then encourage them, but remember they should have a rounded social life too!

All pupils are supplied with a homework diary/planner. Teachers encourage the use of these planners to note down the exact nature of homework and the date and time at which it is due. We encourage parents to assist us by checking these planners on a regular basis. A space for parental signature is available for each week of the session.

Adapted from Pupils/Parents/Teachers –
The Homework File
By kind permission of The Scottish Executive Education Department
April 2001