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Why do homework? How can parents and guardians help?
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From David Spencer's Education Paragon: Helping students develop citizenship, literacy, responsibility and vision

David Spencer's Education Paragon is a free educational resource portal helping David Spencer's Ontario Canada based secondary school students, parents of his students and David's teaching colleagues with understanding and applying assessment, communication, curriculum design, curriculum planning, curriculum delivery, evaluation and literacy skills accurately and effectively. Since the site launch on September 27, 2006, there have been 375,427 page views. Current site statistics may be viewed and visitor statistics from here.

A few of the 1,134 pages of David Spencer's Education Paragon are written by David's students. The rest are written, edited, published and hosted by educator David Spencer. Please send your accolades, comments, corrections, feedback, ideas and resource suggestions to David and his team of volunteers.

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Why Do Homework?

1. It makes your teachers happy with you.
2. It makes your parent(s)/guardian(s) happy with you.
3. Studies show that students who consistently complete their homework achieve higher marks than those who don't.
4. Your teachers assign homework to help you review and practice the skills and concepts you learned in class. Make homework a habit if you want to succeed at school.
5. Studying and completing homework is a skill you can learn. Study SMARTER, not HARDER by planning your time and using it well.
6. Homework gives children tasks they must complete in their own time and so introduces them to the responsibilities of remembering, managing their time, and working independently.
7. Homework is an integral part of the curriculum and an important tool for helping children to learn.
8. A good, well-managed homework programme helps children and young people to develop the skills and attitudes they will need, for successful lifelong learning.
9. Homework also supports the development of independent learning skills, and provides parents with an opportunity to take part in their children's education.

Why Do My Teachers Assign Homework?

Teachers assign homework for many reasons.

1. Homework can give students extra practice time, apply information learned, and help them expand their knowledge beyond what learned in class.
2. Assignments are also a good way for students to learn to work independently.
3. Homework assignments can also help students work on bigger projects and learn how to use other resources such as encyclopaedias, the Internet and public libraries.

When Should You Do Homework?

Use your student planner each block to note assignments and due dates bullet Schedule a daily study time - the best time for you; ideally the same time each day bullet Study in 15-30 minute blocks bullet Take breaks (about 5-10 minutes) bullet Plan to spend 1-1/2 hours per school night on average (more for tests or major assignments)

Where Should You Do Homework?

• a room where everything you need is at hand
• a quiet place; away from distractions such as television and phone
• well lit place with lighting that helps you see your homework

What are the Materials You Need to Do Your Homework?

• pen, pencil
• lined paper
• computer and printer if required
• post your daily timetable and a calendar for noting assignment due dates and tests.

Teachers Should Consider The Following When Assigning Homework

• Features of good homework practice from the Department for Children, Schools and Familie in London, United Kingdom
• Tips for Teachers from the Department for Children, Schools and Familie in London, United Kingdom

Benefits of Parental Involvement in Their Child's Homework

• Benefits of parental support from the Department for Children, Schools and Familie in London, United Kingdom

Resources

• THE HOMEWORK MANIFESTO
• The Homework War
• Why Does My Child Do His Homework and Then Not Turn it In?
• In Defense of Homework: Is There Such a Thing As Too Much?
• M.E. LaZerte High School, Edmonton Public Schools
• School Homework Tips from the Hanover School Division, Steinbach, Manitoba
• Why homework is a pointless and outdated habit.
• Is homework pointless?
• Why does homework exist?
• Canadian Primary Schools Homework Help: Grades 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 from Jock McKay's HaltonLinks.com