TDSB News
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FYI http://news.ontario.ca/edu/en/2011/12/more-support-for-bullied-students.html
HOMEWORK POLICY - FACT SHEET
The new version of the TDSB Homework Policy 2008 builds on our existing policy and reinforces homework as an engaging and relevant learning activity. The policy is founded on sound teaching and learning practice, current research, the TDSB Student Census data and the results of extensive consultation with parents, educators and community. The policy reinforces the Board’s commitment to the assignment of homework in a purposefully planned manner that is directly connected to a student’s school program and learning expectations of the Ontario Curriculum. It balances time required to complete homework with extra curricular activities scheduled outside of the school day and activities that support personal and family wellness.
It is expected that the policy will be implemented starting September 2008.
Highlights include:
- Four types of homework defined, with identification of specific intended outcomes and application for effective learning.
- Homework should not be assigned to kindergarten-aged children. Rather, families are encouraged to engage in early learning activities such as playing, talking and reading together in English or in the family’s first language.
- Homework assigned in the early grades will more often take the form of reading, playing a variety of games, having discussions and interactive activities.
- In the late Primary and Junior grades, effective homework will begin to take the form of independent work.
- Homework for older students should be no longer than 1 hour for grades 7 and 8 students and no more than 2 hours for grades 9 to 12 students.
- No homework assigned on school holidays or days of significance.
- Wherever possible, homework will be assigned by teachers in blocks of time so that families can best support homework completion by balancing the time required to complete homework with extra curricular activities scheduled outside of the school day and activities that support personal and family wellness.
- A move away from time-by-grade guidelines to emphasize homework that is differentiated by division/grade to reflect unique learning needs of individual students.
- Where appropriate, there will be progressive consequences for incomplete homework. Punitive measures are not appropriate as they provide powerful disincentives.
Additional Information:
- Students who are facing disciplinary action such as suspension or expulsion will be provided homework in accordance with the provisions of Part XIII of the Education Act.
- In order to support the new policy we are collecting examples of meaningful, relevant and engaging homework activities to share exemplary practices across the system. Examples can be sent to homework@tdsb.on.ca. Homework activities will be posted on the program department website in September 2008 as a reference and resource for teachers.
- The New TDSB Homework Policy 2008 can be accessed on the TDSB website drop down menu Program, Teaching and Learning. The Policy is also being translated into the 12 official TDSB languages which can be accessed shortly at http://www.tdsb.on.ca/boardroom/pandp/PolicyAndProcedures.asp search for Homework, document P.036.
- Student Agenda pages have been adapted to reflect the new policy.
Assessment and Report Cards – read about Ontario’s new report cards
- Parent Satisfaction Survey 2009-2010 – see the results of our first system-wide Parent Satisfaction Survey
- Smaller Class Sizes – learn more about the this Ministry mandated initiative
- Homework – learn more about homework and how you can help
- Read and Write Gold – Download this free computer program to provide literacy support at home for students of all ages and abilities
- Kindergarten/Early Learning Program – information on registration, curriculum, ELP school sites, and more
- High School Information Nights – Discover a wealth of information about our secondary schools, including programs, special characteristics, and diploma requirements.
- Meet Your Trustee – find out who your local Trustee is and how to contact them
- Parenting and Family Literacy – help your child get ready to enter school
- Professional Support Services – Professional Support for Students
ON-LINE RESOURCE CATALOGUE
http://www.polleverywhere.com/ A site which could be used for surveying your students & have them provide an opinion
Students can leave messages re: homework and assignments for teachers/you could post assignments for them
How to stay safe in a mobile world-tips for teens and parents
http://www.woogiworld.com/educators/
Teaches kids about cyber safety, cyber ethics, cyber security
Enables students to create and participate in digital storybooks
Helps students with organization using their mobile devices
Both sites have a private mobile address that can be used on any mobile phone; all teachers have to do is set up the mobile account and give students the address ( Phot-projects and sharing)
The following sites offer excellent resources for students and teachers alike:
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/index.cfm
http://www.awesomestories.com/
http://www.thinkfinity.org/lesson-plans
http://www.teachersfirst.com/index.cfm
http://www.pacificnet.net/~mandel/index.html
New Policy Reinforces Homework as an Engaging and Relevant Learning Activity
TDSB trustees endorsed last night a new Homework Policy for implementation in September 2008. “This new version builds on our existing policy and reinforces homework as an engaging and relevant learning activity,” said System Superintendent of Program Karen Grose.
The policy is founded on sound teaching and learning practice, current research, the TDSB Student Census data and the results of extensive consultation with parents, educators and community. “The policy balances time required to complete homework with extra curricular activities scheduled outside of the school day and activities that support personal and family wellness,” said Grose.
Highlights include:
- Four types of homework defined, with identification of specific intended outcomes and application for effective learning.
- Homework should not be assigned to kindergarten-aged children. Rather, families are encouraged to engage in early learning activities such as playing, talking and reading together in English or in the family’s first language.
- Homework assigned in the early grades will more often take the form of reading, playing a variety of games, having discussions and interactive activities.
- In the late Primary and Junior grades, effective homework will begin to take the form of independent work.
- Homework for older students should be no longer than 1 hour for grades 7 and 8 students and no more than 2 hours for grades 9 to 12 students.
- No homework assigned on school holidays or days of significance.
- Wherever possible, homework will be assigned by teachers in blocks of time so that families can best support homework completion by balancing the time required to complete homework with extra curricular activities scheduled outside of the school day and activities that support personal and family wellness.
- A move away from time-by-grade guidelines to emphasize homework that is differentiated by divison/grade to reflect unique learning needs of individual students.
- Where appropriate, there will be progressive consequences for incomplete homework. Punitive measures are not appropriate as they provide powerful disincentives.
To support the new policy, TDSB staff are currently collecting examples of meaningful, relevant and engaging homework activities to share best practices across the system. Parents are also encouraged to send examples of their children’s best homework activities along with their name, grade level/range the homework is applicable for, and a brief description about why they think the activity is effective. Examples can be sent to homework@tdsb.on.ca.
The Toronto District School Board serves more than 266,000 students throughout 560 schools.
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For more information, please contact:
Kelly Baker
Communications and Public Affairs
Toronto District School Board
416-395-2721
kelly.baker@tdsb.on.ca
