Work@Home (Homework)
At Lowood State School, our Work@Home (homework) program is based around Ian Lillico’s research into effective strategies for managing children’s time at home.
In today’s busy world it is becoming increasingly difficult for families to manage homework issues, yet we can argue that learning is an on-going process which takes place in a variety of situations, including the home. There is no doubt that students need to practice concepts learnt at school, but we need to reduce the stress caused by ‘homework’, make it less sedentary and more flexible, and tailor it more to individual student’s needs, interests and learning styles.
The Work@Home program asks students to select activities from a grid (some, such as reading, are completed on a daily basis) and complete them over a stipulated time period, generally a week or fortnight. Parents are asked to sign off the activities on the grid as the child completes them. By the end of the week/fortnight, students will have undertaken a balance of academic, social, physical and cultural tasks.
This program enables parents to get children to do their share of work in the home, including housework and shopping; physical activity such as sports training, and family outings such as walking, fishing, exploring their world…activities that enhance family life. It provides an opportunity for students to share their learning with their families, to consolidate work learnt in the classroom and to prepare for lifelong learning beyond the classroom experience.
For further information refer to:
P–12 curriculum, assessment and reporting framework