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Homework

Purpose

Homework refers to school-related instruction that is to be completed outside the classroom. It fulfills the following purposes:

• To enrich and extend school experiences through related home activities
• To reinforce learning by providing practice and application
• To prepare for post-secondary school experiences
• To stimulate effort, independence, responsibility and self-direction
• To extend comprehension and retention of concepts introduced in class.

Types

Homework is designed to help students understand a wide range of subjects and to reinforce and apply many different skills. Homework assignments are varied and may require the use of technology such as word processing, the Internet, calculators, or e-mail. Although access to technology is readily available at SRHS, parents and students should consider using public libraries and off-site resources as needed. Types of homework activities may include the following:

• Continuation: doing further work on assignments begun in class
• Reading: using textbooks, library materials, and reference works
• Writing: composing creative writing projects, compositions, and summaries
• Experimentation: working to uncover further findings of an experiment already initiated in class
• Research: working on long-term projects
• Drill: practicing the fundamental skills of a particular subject
• Observation: purposefully seeking ideas and information through such activities as viewing television programs and preparing evaluations of them
• Memorization: committing to memory such material as poems, speeches, plays, words and their definitions, and mathematical concepts
• Exhibits: collecting and preparing materials for others to view and examine
• Interviews: gathering information from authoritative sources through personal contacts
• Preparation: studying and reviewing for quizzes and tests
• Make-up: completing essential or appropriate work missed due to absence.

Time expectations

Time is a key element of effective homework. The time-lapse between instruction in the classroom and the additional practice done at home is an integral element of learning. High school students should spend an average of 10-12 hours per week on combined homework assignments, or a minimum of 20-30 minutes daily on each course. Honors (H) and Advanced Placement (AP) level courses may require significant additional homework time. Also, the Program Description Guide indicates that for each session of classroom instruction in mathematics, the student is expected to spend an hour outside of class on assignments, review, and preparation. In addition, some students may need additional time to complete assignments based on that student's individual needs as delineated in an Individual Educational Plan (IEP).