Homework & Assessment

Homework
Homework is a vital part of the learning process for all students in Years 1–5. It assists the development of disciplined study habits and is an effective way of revising and practising what has been learnt in the classroom. As a general guide, students should be doing homework four nights a week, and occasionally time may be allocated for projects and preparation for assessment.

Success with homework and study depends on establishing a routine which includes:

  • the place to study;
  • a set time to study; and
  • a good routine.

A place to study should:

  • be quiet and free from distractions such as television, stereo, younger children;
  • if possible, be a special area set aside for homework; and
  • provide good light to help avoid unnecessary tiredness.

Time
As a general guide for students and parents, the following times are suggested for each Year level:
Year 1 10 – 15 minutes
Year 2 15 – 20 minutes
Year 3 20 minutes
Year 4 20 - 30 minutes
Year 5 30 – 40 minutes

Routine

  • It is important to have a regular time for homework and to keep to it. Late afternoons and early evenings are particularly good times.
  • Children should be encouraged to treat homework as a serious task that must be completed neatly and with care and concentration.
  • Reading should constitute part of the homework process right through Junior Schooling. While time should be put aside each night for younger children to read aloud to an adult, older children should read silently, hopefully for pleasure, every night.

Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the year and is both formative and summative. Formative assessment within classes consists of a variety of methods including, but not limited to, tests, running records, observation, anecdotal records, work samples and student self-reflection.

In addition to this, summative assessment is given to all year levels. Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students participate in compulsory Federal Government tests for literacy and numeracy where the Government has set benchmarks to measure the performance of Queensland students against the rest of Australia. This testing regime is called NAPLAN (National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy). Students in Years 4–5 participate in the ICAS English, Mathematics and Science Competitions. Students in Years 3 - 5 participate in standardised testing at the start of each year to inform teachers of students' learning needs and provide cumulative information on their progress.