Christian College sees Home Learning as a collaborative process that fosters strong partnerships between students, parents and the College. This necessitates that all stakeholders hold a shared understanding of their roles and the aims and expectations as set by the College regarding Home Learning.
To attain maximum benefits from Home Learning;
Students will:
- Accept responsibility for Home Learning while developing independence in time management and study skills
- Be responsible for completing Home Learning tasks within the allocated time frame
- Complete Home Learning to an acceptable standard
- Be aware that Home Learning is monitored
Teachers will:
- Assign tasks that are planned, relevant and aim to revise, consolidate or extend student learning
- Clearly communicate the Home Learning expectations to the students in their charge
- Monitor that students are recording Home Learning via Outlook or in Organisers
- Communicate, where applicable, Home Learning tasks to parents
- Consistently apply guidelines across year levels and subject disciplines
- Monitor and provide feedback, where applicable, which is meaningful, valuable and timely
Parents will:
- Support the College regarding Home Learning expectations
- Take an active interest in their child’s Home Learning
- Understand how Home Learning is communicated between teachers and students
- Provide an environment at home that is conducive to the development of study, time management, organizational and self-discipline skills.
Types of Home Learning
Home Learning tasks are designed to be skill and age level appropriate, purposeful and challenging in order to build capacity in students as independent learners. Research suggests that the chief benefits of Home Learning at the lower years include the development of strong foundations in English and Mathematics. In the upper years benefits include the development of study habits such as planning, managing time, research and reflection, in preparation for secondary schooling. Home Learning may fall under one of the following categories in alignment with, or as an extension of, the curriculum:
Building Foundations
Building Foundation tasks aim to support and reinforce classroom learning while fostering organisational and study habits. Building Foundation tasks could include: reading activities to, with and by parents/guardians, the gathering of additional information or materials, practise of number facts or vocabulary and spelling activities.
Flipped Classroom
A flipped classroom essentially shifts traditional means of direct instruction out of the classroom, allowing students to direct the pace of their learning, come prepared for class with a prior knowledge of concepts to be applied and access resources if absent. Flipped classroom tasks could include preparatory readings, instructional clips, podcasts, audio recordings, OneNote collaboration and research.
Ongoing
Ongoing tasks include long term assignments, or the completion of work not finished within the reasonable time allocated in class.
Enrichment
Enrichment tasks, whether student or teacher directed, allow students to deepen their knowledge, expand their skill set, demonstrate their understanding of the curriculum beyond the expected standard and explore areas of personal interest and inquiry. Enrichment tasks involve applied learning that is broad and varied.
Home Learning Time Guidelines
At Christian College, we acknowledge the importance of creating a balance between school and extra-curricular activities and encourage students to pursue outside interests in areas such as faith, sport and the arts. The ‘per week’ time guidelines below allow students to self-manage their time to achieve this balance.
Prep – Year 1
Home Learning should primarily be based on nightly reading using the read to, read with and read independently process. No time frame is set so as to not restrict the amount of time reading. Students may also be expected to practice sight vocabulary.
Year 2 & 3
Reading should continue to be the primary focus nightly for students. Home Learning tasks may be set to support ad reinforce classroom learning.
Year 4
Home Learning tasks may be set to support and reinforce classroom learning. Independent reading and students use of One Note and Teams should be a part of their home Learning.
Year 5
Home Learning tasks should not exceed 2 hours per school week, across all subject areas. Reading should be completed in addition to the recommended time frame.
Year 6
Home Learning tasks should not exceed 2.5 hours per week across all subject areas within the school week and rarely extend to weekends. Reading should be completed in addition to the recommended time frame.
Year 7
Home Learning tasks should not exceed 4 hours per week across all subject areas within the school week and rarely extend to weekends. Reading should be completed in addition to the recommended time frame.
Year 8 & 9
Home Learning tasks should not exceed 6 hours per week across all subject areas within the school week and may extend to weekends. Reading should be completed in addition to the recommended time frame.
