A common parental view is that homework leads to improved academic achievement. Research to date on the academic benefits of homework has produced inconclusive and mixed results. There has been no benefit shown for children in the preschool year of schooling receiving formal homework. Current opinion is that homework provides little benefit to the academic results of primary school aged children.
In relation to homework, Gilmore Primary School believes that:
- quality teaching and learning is informed by academic research;
- children spend six hours a day at school and are often tired or ‘filled’ with school learning by the end of the day;
- homework should not add to the competing pressures of family life by limiting the time available for children’s extra-curricula activities or activities of cultural significance;
- the capacity of families to support children’s completion of homework varies for many reasons; and
- the active and positive participation of children in ‘family living’ - talking, listening, playing, being active and sharing interests with siblings and significant adults constitutes valuable learning.
At Gilmore Primary School:
- Regular, formal homework will not be set by class teachers. Teachers will meet with families, as required, to discuss ways to support children's learning at home.
- From time to time, project-based activities will be provided to students to expand their knowledge of a topic of study by encouraging independent research.
- All children will be encouraged to regularly borrow quality literature from the Gilmore Primary School library to read with a significant adult.
- Links to quality online learning will be provided on the school’s website to support families seeking to provide formal home learning for their child/ren.
- Families choosing to provide “homework” for their child are encouraged to ensure time spent on homework is responsive to the age and development of their child. As a broad guide, in addition to daily reading, K-2 students undertake no more than 15 minutes, students in Years 3/4 undertake no more than 20 minutes, and students in Years 5/6 undertake no more than 30 minutes homework each weeknight.
Parents and carers can support their child by:
- providing a suitable environment in which homework can be done;
- encouraging the child to ‘have a go’ before giving assistance;
- ensuring that homework does not become a burden on the child by balancing ‘work’ and play;
- engaging with support for home learning provided by the school through Facebook, the newsletter, the school's website, and family workshops.
The following websites may provide useful home learning opportunities for you and your child.
Literacy
- Storyline Online( http://www.storylineonline.net/ ) This website streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
- PBS Reading Games ( http://pbskids.org/games/reading/ ) This website includes lots of fun literacy games.
- DIY Reading Games ( https://www.themeasuredmom.com/10-diy-reading-games-for-kids/ ) This website includes reading games you can make at home to play with your children.
- Literacy Planet ( https://www.literacyplanet.com/au/ ) This is a comprehensive and engaging online program that helps to support your child’s literacy skills.
- ABCya (https://www.abcya.com/grades/2#letters) This website includes literacy and grammar games.
- Pobble 365 (http://www.pobble365.com/ ) Interesting picture, writing prompts and philosophical questions to spark interest and debate.
- Once Upon a picture https://www.onceuponapicture.co.uk/ A collection of illustrations, digital art and animation with questions to prompt writing.
Numeracy
- Math Playground (https://www.mathplayground.com/#Other%20websites) This website includes maths games covering lots of different mathematics areas.
- Top Marks (https://www.topmarks.co.uk/) This website includes maths games covering lots of different mathematics areas.
- ICT Games ( http://www.ictgames.com/resources.html ) This website includes maths games covering lots of different mathematics areas.
- Cool maths for kids (https://www.coolmath4kids.com/ ) uses activities to build knowledge of the different mathematical functions.
- Splash Math (https://www.splashmath.com/math-games) This website has a variety of activities that covers a wide range of topics.
- Maths is Fun (http://www.mathsisfun.com/) This website has a variety of activities covering a wide range of topics.
- Maths Dictionary (http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/) This website is a mathematics website that focuses on concept development. It includes printable resources.
- TimesTables (https://www.timestables.com/) Note: this website uses the American English spelling of the word “practise”.
- Prodigy (https://www.prodigygame.com/) A Maths-based adventure game that requires students to solve equations to advance to the next level.
HASS
- ABC Education (http://education.abc.net.au/home#!/home) Free educational resources for primary and secondary students, including videos, games and programs.
- News and Current Affairs (http://www.abc.net.au/btn/) Behind the News is a fun, high-energy way for students to learn about current issues and world events.
Science
- The School Run (https://www.theschoolrun.com/science ) Practical activitiesand no-equipment-needed experiments for every year group to reinforce science learning at home.
- STEM (https://thestemlaboratory.com/stem-activities-for-kids/) science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities for children.
Wellbeing
- Go Noodle ( https://www.gonoodle.com/ ) Go Noodle has hundreds of videos that activate kids’ bodies and brains.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga ( http://www.cosmickids.com/category/watch/ ) It makes yoga and mindfulness fun and may provide improvements in self-regulation, focus and empathy.
- Smiling Mind (https://www.smilingmind.com.au ) Smiling Mind provides accessible, lifelong tools to develop and support healthy minds.
Digital Technologies
- Scratch Jr (https://www.scratchjr.org/) This is a coding app to develop their computing skills.