Homework
Homework is an opportunity for you to participate in your child’s education. Homework complements and reinforces classroom learning and fosters lifelong study habits.
Victorian government schools usually advise you of homework expectations at the beginning of the year and will provide you with a copy of the school’s homework policy.
Types of homework
The homework set for your child will vary depending on their age, the subject and the school’s approach to homework.
The degree of difficulty and length of homework will also be set according to the age and abilities of the student.
Homework will become more challenging in secondary school and the final years of education.
Types of homework include:
Practice exercises
Practice exercises provide your child with opportunities to apply new knowledge, or to review, revise and reinforce newly acquired skills. They include:
- completing maths exercises
- practising spelling
- practising words or phrases learnt in a language other than English
- reading
- writing essays and other creative tasks
- practising and playing musical instruments
- practising physical education skills.
Preparatory homework
Preparatory homework provides opportunities for your child to gain background information so they are better prepared for future lessons. For example:
- reading background material for history
- reading English texts for class discussion
- researching topics for class work
- collecting newspaper articles
- revising information about a current topic.
Extension assignments
Extension assignments encourage your child to pursue knowledge individually and imaginatively. For example:
- writing a book review
- making or designing an artwork
- completing science investigation exercises
- researching local news
- finding material on the internet
- monitoring advertising in a newspaper.
How parents can help
Some ways you can help your child with their homework:
- encourage a regular daily time to examine and complete homework
- discuss key questions or suggest resources to help with homework
- help to balance the amount of time spent between homework and recreational activities
- ask how homework and class work is progressing and acknowledge success
- attend school events, productions or displays your child is involved in
- talk to teachers to discuss problems with homework
- check whether homework has been set and encourage your child to keep a homework diary
- discuss homework with your child in their first language (if English is not the main language spoken at home).
More information
For questions about your child’s homework, contact your child’s school.
For information on resources used by teachers and access to a range of websites and research resources to help your child with their homework, see: FUSE
For more information on how else you can help your child at school, see: Getting Involved