Many parents have questions about how much homework their child should be doing each night.
This is dependent on the subject and year of schooling and varies between assignment work, revision/study and worksheets/completion of class tasks. Having a lot of homework does not directly correlate to improved outcomes in learning and as much can be gained by parents simply engaging their children in critical thinking activities, extended discussions and reading.
At Kariong Mountains High School, we aim to ensure that the homework we set is meaningful rather than tokenistic.
Below is a summary of faculty homework rationales:
English
Years 7 – 10
Homework is used by the English faculty to consolidate classroom learning. This can include completing tasks that were not completed in class or tailored skills programs in identified areas of need. There are also four major assessment tasks issued to students throughout the year that will require home preparation or study. Students will always be provided two weeks notification of these assessments and parents will be notified via Millennium.
Wide Reading
Whilst English does not provide a regular homework program, we encourage all students to actively engage in wide reading (typically 20 minutes a day). Reading a variety of materials is proven to improve student literacy and comprehension skills across a range of areas and encourages an interest in reading. Any member of the English faculty or the Teacher Librarian can support parents or children in selecting appropriate materials for reading.
Years 11 and 12
Students undertaking English Extension, English Advanced and English Standard during their senior years will be provided with a weekly study program that is checked by a classroom teacher. Completion of this homework program is essential to consolidate critical concepts taught in the course.
Students failing to complete homework over consecutive weeks can result in an N-Award warning for due diligence.
HSIE
Home work will be given regularly for students studying HSIE subjects. This could be formal written homework or informal homework involving research. Homework will not be given just for the sake of giving homework. It will be meaningful and will help to consolidate concepts taught in class and also help to develop students’ research and thinking skills.
Students will also have regular assessment tasks which they will need to be working on at home in order to meet the submission dates. This provides students with an opportunity to take ownership and responsibility for their learning.
Mathematics
Stage 4
On occasion, additional homework may be set by individual teachers on a class-by-class basis.
Stage 5
The majority of students study the 5.2 course and can expect a weekly homework sheet based on current concepts.
Students studying the 5.1 course can expect to receive revision sheets leading up to major examinations.
Stage 6
Students studying Mathematics and/or Mathematics Extension will be required to complete homework five to six times a week.
Mathematics General 2 students will have homework issued approximately three to four times a week.
Music
Music homework and assessment tasks are designed to complement the skills and/or concepts students are taught in class time. Skills in performance, composition or musicology require regular consolidation and refinement at home.
Stage 4: Year 8 Music
- Classwork: complete all unfinished classwork if applicable and ensure bookwork is of a high standard and meeting the requirements outlined by the class teacher. Whenever absent from class, it is expected that work will be caught up at home.
- Homework tasks: complete assigned homework tasks where applicable. This may include revision or extension activities. It may also include practising music pieces.
- Assessment tasks: work on components of assessment tasks to be completed in student’s own time. This includes preparing for performance assessment tasks. Class time will be allocated for rehearsal of practical tasks.
Stage 5: Years 9 and 10 Elective Music
It is assumed that all Stage 5 students are engaged in a regular practice routine on their chosen instrument. Practice time is additional to other class and homework.
- Classwork: complete all unfinished classwork if applicable and ensure bookwork is of a high standard and meeting the requirements outlined by the class teacher. Whenever absent from class, it is expected that work will be caught up at home.
- Homework tasks: complete assigned homework tasks where applicable. This may include revision or extension activities. It will include practising music pieces, composing and musicology.
- Assessment tasks: work on components of assessment tasks to be completed in student’s own time. This includes preparing for performance assessment tasks.
- Exam preparation: review study notes prior to written exams.
Stage 6: Year 11 and 12 Music
Stage 6 students will complete many compositions, musicology research and performances. Students are required to complete these tasks independently over a period of time, submitting drafts or portfolio entries at regular intervals throughout the process. Work in class must be completed by work at home on these activities.
- Performance: all stage 6 students must be engaged in a regular practice routine on their chosen instrument.
- Classwork: complete all unfinished classwork.
- Homework: complete assigned homework tasks. This includes ensuring notes are complete and organised.
- Assessment tasks: work on components of assessment.
PDHPE
In PDHPE and associated elective courses in Years 9 – 10, the majority of homework tasks consist of completing work unfinished in class for subsequent discussion, or may require students to discuss issues with family members regarding course content.
Students may be asked to research their family history with regard to lifestyle diseases in order to plan for improved health decision making, record a food diary over a period of time, or practise interpersonal skills presented in class.
At times, assessment tasks may need to be completed at home, however, the bulk of these are catered for during class time. If a task is set outside lesson time, it will appear on the parent portal and on moodle along with the date it is due.
In senior years, students are encouraged to maintain their notes in line with the NESA Syllabus they are studying and to develop their own dot point summaries. Practice questions will be set on a regular basis for either peer or teacher marking to develop skills in responding to HSC style questions. Students may also be required to submit responses in order to deepen the collective understanding of course content for the class and enhance their critical thinking skills throughout Stage 6.
Science
Homework is an important part of the Science philosophy at Kariong Mountains High School. It is an opportunity to not only consolidate the learning taking place each lesson, but also to extend and enrich the knowledge of students so as they can develop their own areas of interest in the broad arena of science.
Science homework may include:
- Homework work sheets
- Enrichment activities based on concepts taught in class
- Consolidation and revision of concepts learnt
- Research tasks to further enrich and deepen understanding
Generally speaking, homework is suspended when students are working on formal assessment tasks.
Ideally students should regularly revise their class notes at home and note any questions or areas of difficulty that may arise so as learning is maximised.
Visual Arts and Photographic and Digital Media
Visual Arts and Photographic and Digital Media homework and assessment tasks are designed to complement the skills and/or concepts students are taught in class time.
Stage 4: Year 7 – Students need to:
- complete all unfinished class work if applicable
- complete assigned homework tasks
- work on components of assessment tasks to be completed in a student’s own time.
Stage 5: Years 9 and 10 – Students need to:
- complete all unfinished class work if applicable
- complete assigned homework tasks
- work on components of assessment tasks to be completed in a student’s own time
- review study notes prior to written exams.
Stage 6: Years 11 and 12 – Students will:
- complete all unfinished class work if applicable
- complete assigned homework tasks
- work on components of their body of work and art criticism and art history research study assessment tasks that are to be completed in a student’s own time
- create, organise and review study notes.
Technological and Applied Studies (TAS)
The Faculty of Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) does not set regular structured homework.
There are, however, set research tasks and written requirements of subjects within the TAS faculty, that may require additional work to be completed at home. It is also expected that work left incomplete in class will be completed at home in preparation for the next lesson.
Stage 4: Years 7 and 8
Each term students are required to complete a research task relating to their specific focus area. Students will need to complete additional work from home. In addition to the research task students are required to complete “Management and Design” documentation. This will be completed predominately in class however; students are expected to complete additional work or incomplete work from home.
* NB There are class topic tests set for Terms 2 & 4 covering content taught throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to revise their work in preparation for these tests.
Parents please check student diaries for entered homework and or due dates for research tasks etc.
STAGE 5: Years 9 and 10
Research tasks and written Project/Design Management documentation are required throughout Stage 5. There is an increased focus on the depth and quality of information presented and the quality of the presentation of set tasks. All subjects introduce and provide time for student to start set work. It is expected that these tasks will be completed outside of the structured lesson time.
* NB There are class topic tests set for Terms 2 & 4 covering content taught throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to revise their work in preparation for these tests.
STAGE 6: Years 11 and 12
Stage 6 subjects carry expectations of work to be completed outside of structured school time. Project design, Research tasks and the gathering of information and materials are examples of this. Individual teachers may set additional tasks designed to promote further thought and stimulation, in turn allowing students to further contribute to the learning environment of their senior class. It is expected that these are completed as part of the prescribed course.
** Failure to complete additional set tasks and or homework may result in “N” determination processes being engaged.