Homework policy - 樂善堂梁黃蕙芳紀念學校

(A) Objectives:

Beneficial homework allows students to extend their learning out of the classroom and consolidate what they have learned in the classroom, enhance their understanding of the topics of learning, and construct their knowledge. The homework of every subject should perform the following functions:

To consolidate classroom learning, and to prepare students for new topics, under the guidance of teachers to promote students to self-study.
To help students understand their own learning progress and problems, and then seek to solve difficult ways.
To help teachers understand the learning situation of students in order to adjust the teaching plans and strategies to provide students with appropriate feedback to promote student learning.
Evaluate students’ ability to learn knowledge, master skills and develop good attitude and positive values, and effectively reward the planning and implementation of the curriculum.
Allow parents understand their children’s learning progress and characteristics, so that they can provide timely support, encouragement and appreciation.
Allow parents to understand the requirements of the school curriculum, cooperate with school to help students learn better.

(B) Our basic policy:

The content of the homework should be aligned with the curriculum requirement and have a clear learning goal.
Teachers arrange effective homework, according to the teaching progress of the students, to help them consolidate the students’ learning and their development of concept.
Homework can trigger students’ motivation, stimulate their thinking, so that students take the initiative to learn, and can cultivate students’ self-learning and creativity.
The diversity of homework in junior primary classes should also be enhanced by adding interesting and creative elements.
The diversity of homework in senior primary classes should also be enhanced by adding thoughtful, analytical and creativity promoting elements.
As a principle, our teachers adjust the difficulties of the homework to focus on handling learning diversity of our students.
The self-learning stimulating elements can be added in the design of the homework, if necessary, to encourage students to access to extra-curricular books to search the appropriate information.
The challenging questions are designed in part of our homework to improve students’ generic skills.

(C) Implementation:

At the beginning of each school year, the school homework policy is uploaded to the school website and inform the parents, so that the school parents know.
The number of homework, the method of correction and the use of homework books should be clearly stated in the various disciplines and timely guidance to teachers.
Types of Homework:
1. In addition to workbooks and worksheets, the categories of homework can include reading, textbook preview, book review, phrase recitation, experiments, model making, online learning, data collection, project learning, interview reports, etc.
2. Teachers give appropriate arrangements and guidance in accordance with the students’ abilities and learning objectives.
3. Homework may be completed in short or long period. Students may do individual or group homework.
Teachers’ guidance and support:
1. Teachers clearly explain to the students the purpose and requirements of the homework, the time limit and the method or strategies required to complete the homework, and if necessary, the degree of parents’ participation
2. Teachers provide guidance to students in need during the remedial lessons to help them solve the difficulties encountered in their homework.
3. Students can try to do homework in the classroom, so that home to comply with. If the students have problems, teachers can immediately give guidance.
Quantity of homework:
1. Teachers allocate moderate quantity of homework to students according to the students’ ability. They should also consider the balanced development of student learning and physical and mental health.
2. The Coordinator of Curriculum Development and the Chiefs of subjects set the weight and types of homework in the various disciplines, and arrange the homework according to each class level.
3. Teachers who teach the same class should coordinate with each other and balance the daily weight of homework for the students.
4. Teachers may reduce the amount of homework for students who have special learning needs or allow them to submit their homework later than the deadline.
5. The homework in the pre-assessment period should focus on revision on what students learnt, in order to reduce students’ pressure of their examination.
Feedback:
1. The teachers mark the homework carefully, gives the score, grade or comment, sets out the improvement method, if necessary, and records the performance of the student’s homework. If the students have excellent performance, should be praised to encourage students to work hard.
2. The homework log records in the student handbooks should be signed by the parent or guardian every day and signed by the class teacher every week.
3. In case of that the students could provide convincing reasons for not completing the homework, teachers can handle such cases flexibly with various measures, such as adjusting the lessons, lengthening the deadline, etc. If necessary, teachers can give guidance to help students complete homework.
4. If the students do not complete homework by the deadline, teachers should write in the student handbooks to inform parents. If students other hand in homework late, teachers should contact the parents by writing in the handbook or by phone call for Detention of students for completing homework should be implemented under the consent of parents.
Parents’ cooperation:
1. Parents are encouraged to arrange a stable period of time for students doing homework and to provide an appropriate learning environment, such as turning off the TV, preparing enough stationery, etc., to reduce the impact of their children doing homework.
2. It would be better for parents clearly understanding the purpose and requirements of homework. When necessary, parents could provide appropriate guidance to their children, and guide them to think about the problem from different points of views and find a feasible solution.
3. Parents could give a detailed review of the teacher’s assigned homework so that they have more understanding of their children’s homework and help them continue to make
4. Communication with school teachers can help parents understand their children’s learning progress and reflect to the school their children’s attitude towards their learning. If you encounter any difficulties, you should discuss with the teacher for the solution as soon as possible.
5. Parents should arrange diversified activities for their children, teach them to make good use of their leisure time, help them prepare their schedule, and avoid letting their children go to other institutions outside the school for mechanical examination

(D) Amendment procedure:

This policy is subject to the guidelines of the Education Bureau and the relevant code from Lok Sin Tong, and is reviewed and amended on a regular basis.
The principal arranges the staff to implement the renewal and revision of the policy, and release it to the staff and parents for reference after sort-out.

Reference

Education Bureau Circular No. 18/2015 Guidelines on Homework and Tests in Schools – No Drilling, Effective Learning. (http://applications.edb.gov.hk/circular/upload/EDBC/EDBC15018E.pdf)