Homework

Primary Homework

In the primary department pupils from P1 - P6 will have homework for four nights a week from August until the summer term. Every night they will have reading practice and in addition some written task. From time to time older pupils will have homework assignments. Towards the summer holidays there may be less homework in some classes.

At Cedars School we acknowledge that parents play a key role in the education of their children. In the early stages parent/child dialogue promotes language and numeracy skills and as pupils progress through primary into secondary education, parents can provide a supportive environment in which the young person can develop the necessary study skills to move towards independent learning. Our homework policy takes account of parents as partners in the learning process.

In P1-P3 the homework is usually daily reading practice with a supporting activity. There may also be maths’ activities to practise skills learned, spellings or reading words to learn. Work relating to other curricular areas such as social studies, the sciences and the expressive arts should also be undertaken at different points in the term.

In P4-P6 core aspects of homework consist of reading practise with occasional supporting activities, spelling/grammar activities and maths work/ times tables. Additional work in language and personal projects as well as other curricular areas such as social studies, the sciences, the technologies, the expressive arts and R.M.E. is also given as appropriate. The children are expected to read independently at home.

Cedars School acknowledges the complexity and diversity of present day lifestyles and the wide spectrum of parenting and working arrangements which impact on the area of homework. Therefore, parents are encouraged to contact the school as early as possible to discuss any matters causing concern in this area or any area relating to their children.

The use of homework is monitored through parental feedback, report cards and parents evenings. The school operates an open door policy and parents are encouraged to contact the school if they have any queries or concerns.

Homework Aims P1-P2

To encourage parents to read stories to their children.
To encourage the parental role in the developing of the spoken language through a range of relevant activities e.g. ‘show and tell’.
To raise awareness of the early years curriculum and appropriate strategies.
To practise words and vocabulary from the reading programme already taught in school by the teacher.
To practise phonics - initial sounds and blends.
To practise and reinforce number bonds already taught in school by the teacher.
To introduce words as the beginning stages of formalised spelling.

Homework Aims P3-P6

To encourage parental awareness of the relevant levels and areas of A Curriculum for Excellence.
To encourage pupils to be more aware of the purposes of homework and begin to take more responsibility for their own learning together with the development of organisational and study skills.
To promote self-reliance and self-confidence and encourage the habit of independent learning.
To encourage silent reading for a range of purposes especially for enjoyment.
To consolidate the learning of spelling through a range of appropriate strategies.
To reinforce number bonds e.g. multiplication tables and further develop mathematical thinking such as problem solving.
To widen the learning experience by encouraging pupils to use materials and sources of information not available in the classroom e.g. research topics/science activities etc.
To work in partnership with parents to promote a shared responsibility.