Homework is a valuable opportunity for partnership and cooperation between home and school that furthers a student’s learning in relation to the curriculum. It is a planned and purposeful activity linked to the Ministry of Education Curriculum Guidelines that:
• Meets the developmental and individual needs of the student
• Reinforces and extends school experiences
• Assists students in assuming responsibility for their own learning
• Develops positive attitudes towards independent study and life long learning
• Encourages the development of self-discipline, good work habits and time management skills
• Enables parents to become involved and to participate in their child’s learning
• Enables regular and on-going communication between teachers, parents and students
• Assists students in preparing for subsequent learning activities.
to keep up to date with classroom work.
to prepare for the next day’s class work or future lessons.
to develop, review and reinforce specific skills or to transfer skills and
concepts to new situations.
to enrich classroom experiences, to deepen the students’ understanding
or to provide opportunities for problem-solving and critical thinking.
The following are suggested time guidelines for homework per grade, per school night:
JK-SK no homework - reading with parents for pleasure is strongly recommended.
Grade 1 5 -10 minutes
Grade 2 10 – 20 minutes
Grade 3 15 – 20 minutes
Grade 4 20 – 40 minutes
Grade 5 25 – 50 minutes
Grade 6 30 – 60 minutes
Grade 7 35 – 70 minutes
Grade 8 40 – 80 minutes
• Make sure your child has an appropriate place and sufficient time for homework
• Be a positive role model about the homework your child receives
• Be a monitor and a mentor in your child’s learning at home
• Communicate promptly with the school when homework concerns arise
• Pick a good time and comfortable place to do your homework
• Remember to budget enough time for lengthier projects and assignments
• Spend more time on the more difficult homework and complete it first
• If homework is getting too hard, seek help
All students of St Gabriel Lalemant are strongly encouraged to purchase an agenda. It is an excellent tool for recording homework and assignments, for keeping track of important dates and events and it is useful for the teacher and parent to use as a communication device. Agendas also have the important role of teaching the student responsibility, organization and time management skills. Agendas are ordered in late May or June so that they will be available on the first day of school.