Rationale
DIS considers homework to be a reinforcement of student learning. It must be relevant, significant and challenging. It needs to be varied, age appropriate and engaging. Homework should also be used to deepen understanding of learning and reinforce key concepts and skills that have been taught at school and for lifelong learning. As students develop academically, teachers will expect them to take an increasing responsibility for the organisation of their own learning. It should help to foster the role of parents as co-educators of their children.
Guidelines
- No assignment will be given that has not been clearly explained in the classroom.
- Students will fully understand when the homework assignment is due.
- Homework will grow from classroom tasks and projects or will focus on skill/strategy reinforcement.
- Homework will be checked for its quality and completion.
- Teachers will communicate to parents about missing or incomplete homework.
- Homework will not be assigned on designated religious holidays when students are absent because of religious observances.
The Head of Subject will ensure that homework is:
- An integral part of the curriculum and is planned and prepared alongside all other programs of learning.
- Appropriate to the age, ability and circumstances of the students, taking into account special educational needs.
- Coordinated to be manageable for children daily.
Teachers will ensure that:
- Homework is set and marked.
- Tasks are differentiated and well structured.
- Students understand the purpose of the homework tasks.
- It is clear to Students how their homework consolidates and extends the work they are doing in school.
- Consistently missing homework is followed up with the student and parents.
- There is a balance between digital and physical tasks for homework
- Assessment revision is incorporated into homework schedules
- Homework, date the homework assignment is due and approximate time for completion will be listed in the weekly communication to parents, which is sent on a Friday.
Students will be required to access the uploaded homework activities, ensure they understand them, and demonstrate a commitment to spending an allocated time completing the tasks set (see Appendix 1). They will return their completed homework on time.
What Parents Can Do:
- Provide a study area that is quiet, comfortable and free from major disturbances.
- Provide a definite time for study or other home activities.
- Make available if possible, such resource materials as reference books, magazines, newspaper etc.
- Assist Students with mastery of specific skills (i.e. math facts).
- Monitor your child’s daily and/or weekly assignment sheets/books/electronic diary assignments and long-range assignments.
- Arrange with the school to secure assignments during a period of excused absence. Teachers are not responsible for providing homework for extended vacations or unexcused absences.
- Parents are to encourage their child to complete homework on their own as much as possible and assist only as needed.
Arrangements for monitoring and evaluation
Subject leaders/Heads of Department will monitor homework by checking on the setting and completion of homework, as part of regular monitoring activities.
Appendix 1
Time Allocations
The time allocated to homework should increase gradually from year group to year group:
Nursery/FS1 and FS2:
Every week children will have a theme/topic activity for homework. These activities could be suggestions for families to complete together and for parents how to revise/support their children’s learning of that week, or they could be specific tasks linked to current learning (projects, show and tell presentations etc.). Nursery/FS1 and FS2 Homework is communicated to parents via Weekly Planners that are uploaded on Parent Portal every Friday.
An ORT book is assigned to each child weekly and according to their abilities. Parents are encouraged to read a book with their child every night.
Primary and Secondary
| Core Subjects (English, maths, science and Arabic) |
Other Subjects | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (Years 1-6) | 30mins – 1 hour per week per subject | Parents are also recommended to read a book with their child every night. |
| Secondary (Years 7-9) | 1 – 2 hours per week per subject | 30mins – 1 hour per week per subject. Some subjects might offer extended projects over a longer period of time. |
| Secondary (Years 10-13) | 1 – 2 hours per week per Subject | 1 – 2 hours per week per examination subject |