Rationale
Homework is an essential part of the learning process. It consolidates the content taught in class and teaches students the ability to work independently and manage their time effectively. It is essential to ensure that students are not overloaded, however, the habit of regular learning at home and working on tasks assigned should be developed.
Types of Homework
Homework may include:
Written assignments Assignments in IXL the electronic learning platforms of the Primary school Preparation for tests and exams Researching for a project Reading in preparation for a lesson Reading a book or an assigned text Work a poem by heart for the language lessons Completing work that the student has failed to complete during the lesson Practising skills needed for playing sports, musical instruments or art Practising for a performance Individual tasks in the instances when a student needs catch-up or extension work Completing work or assignments through online platforms, such SENECA, Teams etc.
Amount of Homework
Grades 1 - 2
Students in grades 1 and 2 receive tasks for homework in English, Maths, Science, and Bulgarian.
The tasks assigned should not take longer than 60 minutes to complete. The tasks assigned will be due for the first lesson of the new week. Grades 3 - 4
Students in grades 3 and 4 receive tasks for homework in each core subject English, Maths, Bulgarian, Science with Man and Nature included, and Man and Society.
The tasks assigned should take no longer that 150 minutes to complete. The tasks assigned will be due for the first lesson of the new week.
Student Expectations
1. Students need to try to do their best while working on the assigned homework.
2. Students need to record their homework and to make good organisation to do it well and on time.
3. Students need to understand that tasks assigned for homework are a natural continuation of what they have studied in class, and that the independent preparation at home helps them perform better in school.
4. Homework should be neat, well-organised and checked by the student prior to being handed in. The student should make sure his/her homework is completed according to the requirements of the given task, meets the set criteria and has no technical or spelling mistakes.
5. Students are expected to present their homework, meeting the set deadlines. Missing a deadline should be an exception. If a student feels that he/she will not be able to meet the deadline, the respective teacher must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the set deadline. At the teacher’s discretion the deadline could be extended if the student provides sufficient justification for his/her inability to meet the deadline. The deadline should not be renegotiated if the student does not inform the teacher early enough about his/her inability to meet it.
Failure to meet the deadline results in a deduction from the grade with a percent, specific for each department and determined in each department’s In-House Assessment Policy.
6. In case of incomplete homework, it should be taken into consideration that this might be due to lack of knowledge/skills and the teacher should act accordingly and provide the necessary support for the student.
7. If students are absent, they need to both establish the work they have missed and to be provided with this for completion. All students and teaching staff must work together. Failure to complete homework is considered a disciplinary offence in line with the school’s behaviour policy.
Discretionary Homework
All students may be given additional homework and course materials throughout the academic year to ensure their individual progress. This is at the discretion of the teachers and the Head of Primary.
Homework must be purposeful with clear expectations set. It should not be set where the students have not covered content previously and that they do not understand.
Parents are kept informed about assigned homework through the school's official platform.
Homework is assigned through electronic resources using IXL or SENECA weekly and through SHKOLO for work set by the teacher. Work must be set for all subjects covered by the platform, weekly, with nuggets and/or tasks for completion where students’ assessment is held and monitored by the respective subject teachers, followed up with the academic leaders and then reported to the Head of Primary.
Monitoring
Homework for all students should be recorded clearly by the students - with clear instructions and due date. The students should either make a note of what the assignment is in their classwork notebook or in the respective resource (workbook).
The class master and/or the subject teacher assigns the homework through SHKOLO. The day of assignment is at the teacher’s discretion and depends on the curriculum requirements. Parents are strongly encouraged to monitor the assigned homework and support the school in ensuring homework is completed on time.
Students receive a sanction (a red badge in SHKOLO) when they fail to submit their homework.
Parents are duly informed in all instances when the student consistently fails to complete tasks assigned for homework. The class teacher/subject teacher sends an email through Reception to the parents, clear copying the respective head of stage.
Timeline for a compulsory homework check by the teacher
Homework is handed in to the teacher who has set the work. After receiving the homework, the teacher has until the next homework cycle to give feedback to the students.
Feedback is given to the students with the teacher’s remarks, including any grades (if applicable). This may be a verbal conversation or feedback in writing, depending on the task set.
Absences – Primary School Students
If students are absent due to an illness, their teacher must send the needed information to the parents through Reception (missed work, assigned tasks for homework), clear copying the respective Head of Stage. The absent student should provide the completed work by the end of the week of their return. Homework is to be checked by the class or subject teacher.
Additional Assignments for Homework
Students will be given additional assignments in the following cases:
When the work which must have been done in class has not been completed To ensure individual progress The teacher who has assigned the work informs the parents through reception about what has been assigned and what the deadline is, clear copying the head of the respective stage.
Electronic resources
St. George International School & Preschool understands that students may wish to carry out additional study outside of school. All students can access the school’s online portals and resources to complete their tasks.
