Homework

Homework, when properly administered with appropriate feedback, is a valuable part of the educational process which acts as a bridge between home and school in providing information regarding student learning.
Definition of Homework
The policy defines homework as a learning experience assigned by a teacher, for completion outside of class that supports and enriches the learning and development of each student.
Characteristics of Effective Homework
The policy does not require that homework be assigned daily. When homework is assigned, however, it must be directly related to what the student is learning in class and has the following characteristics:

  • It is meaningful and relevant.
  • It is purposefully planned to avoid student overload.
  • It is clearly articulated by the teacher and understood by students.
  • It is differentiated, as appropriate, to meet student learning needs.
  • It is reviewed in a timely manner.

Homework is not necessarily limited to pencil and paper tasks. It may include other tasks such as practicing, observing, rehearsing, interviewing, researching and studying.

Types of Commonly Assigned Homework
The table below describes the four types of commonly assigned homework and their intended outcomes.
TYPE DEFINITION INTENDED OUTCOME
Completion Homework Any work assigned following instruction that is begun in class and completed at home Helps students to keep up to date with the instructional program
Practice Homework Any work that reviews and reinforces skills and concepts learned in class Helps students to develop newly acquired skills and consolidate new concepts
Preparation Homework Any work that prepares students for new learning or for upcoming summative assessments/evaluations Requires students to gather information or artifacts in preparation for learning or requires students to prepare for tests, presentations and performances, etc.
Extension/Projects/
Major Assignments		 Any work that explores learning in new contexts or integrates/expands on classroom learning Encourages students to problem solve, think creatively and think critically
The amount, frequency and type of homework assigned to students shall be based on :
  • The individual student’s strengths/needs and learning style.
  • Grade level.
  • Demonstrated student understanding.
Supporting Your Student with Homework

The following tips may help parents in supporting their son/daughter with homework:

  • Set aside a specific time after school each day for your son/daughter to do homework.
  • Be available to help your son/daughter without doing the work for him or her.
  • Demonstrate interest in your son/daughter’s learning by talking about his or her school day.
  • Read to and with your son/daughter from a variety of materials.
  • Demonstrate literacy and numeracy in your daily routines, for example, by reading newspapers, writing grocery lists, measuring or calculating costs.
  • Provide hands-on activities for young children such as preparing food, doing arts and crafts, and playing letter and word games.
  • Limit television and other “technology time”, especially if your son/daughter is having difficulty completing school work.
  • Contact your son/daughter’s teacher if you have concerns about your son/daughter’s homework.
Assigning Homework :
Al Faris International School uses Edmodo.com as an effective education tool. Edmodo is a secure learning network for teachers, students, and schools. It provides a safe way for us to connect, share content, access homework, participate in discussions and receive class information. Edmodo has the appearance of Facebook; however, it will not be used as a social network. This tool will be used strictly for educational purposes. It is important to know the following points:
  • Students will be required to use appropriate grammar instead of texting language.
  • Edmodo does not allow private student-to-student messaging- the site will be used to discuss school-related content only in a group context.
  • No put-downs or sarcasm toward another’s ideas will be tolerated. All school rules and consequences related to harassment apply.
Students who violate the guidelines above may face disciplinary action and/or face losing the privilege of using Edmodo.
Grades Pre-School to 6:
The FIS schedule for all grade levels is organized on a 6-day cycle, labeled Day 1- through Day 6. Student schedules are planned according to the cycle days rather than week days, allowing for increased flexibility to accommodate the diverse offerings of FIS experience.

Cycle plans for Pre-School – Grade 6 are prepared by the pedagogical team and uploaded on the FIS student website and the student’s Edmodo account before the beginning of each cycle.

Cycle plans give a daily outline of all classroom activities and required homework as well as dates of projects and exams. Parents and students are responsible for checking the cycle plan and the student’s Edmodo account daily.

Grades 7 to 12:
  • Teachers write the homework on the board.
  • The students are responsible to write the assignments and quizzes they have.
  • Students are responsible to check their Edmodo account daily for postings of assignments and other supplementary material.
  • Excuses such as “I didn’t hear! You didn’t tell us! I was absent” are not acceptable.
Cheating and Plagiarizing
Cheating means a student acts dishonestly in completing any assignments, quizzes or tests.

This may include, but is not limited to: copying assignments from classmates, using unauthorized crib sheets for tests, looking at someone else’s test, copying another’s work from the Internet or building servers or permitting another person to perform the assignment.

Plagiarism means to submit the work of others and claim it as your own.

Plagiarism can include any of the following: directly copying a paper or portion of a paper without proper attribution; taking the ideas of another person without proper attribution; turning in someone else’s work as your own; citing works that the student did not consult in the writing of the paper.

*Changing the wording of another document does not avoid the problem of plagiarism.
*Plagiarism is as much about the theft of ideas as it is words.
*When a student cheats on a test or quiz or plagiarizes his / her homework assignment or project, the student takes zero on the work.