​I.​ INTRODUCTION

At UNIS we support teaching practices which encourage personalization of our students’ learning experience. Homework is an extension of students’ learning experiences. Our policy takes into consideration the results of research in the field of education and tailors homework to meet individual needs.

​II.​ WHAT IS DIFFERENTIATION?

Differentiated and scaffolded instruction aims to accommodate students’ learning needs, by providing appropriate levels of support, challenge and choice while valuing all students and recognizing that each may follow a different learning pathway. When considering homework, recognizing that each student has different learning needs supports the idea that each student may have different tasks at home as well.

​III.​ WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS?

Harris Cooper, an educational psychologist, conducted the most exhaustive review of 60 years of research on the impact of homework on academic growth. He performed a “meta-analysis,” which is a statistical technique for combining numerous studies into the equivalent of one giant study. The result of his research shows that “there is no evidence that any amount of homework improves academic performance".

In fact, his research evidences that traditional homework as we know it only shows a positive impact on academic growth beginning in grade 7. In the lower grades, the relationship between academic growth and homework is either nonexistent or demonstrates a negative impact on grades.

​IV. JUNIOR SCHOOL POLICY

Our homework policy is developed through vertical collaboration from PreK to 4th grade. It is based on our school mission, values and guiding principles. We believe that students need time to explore and grow in areas besides their academic endeavors. We believe that parents may appreciate suggestions of activities beyond our curriculum that support their child’s well-being, academic growth, and success. We recognize that every student has different needs.

Our homework policy, therefore, offers three main aspects:

• Reading is recommended every day: reading alone, reading aloud, reading to parents, parents reading to children, reading to learn, reading to laugh, reading to feel, reading to share, etc…

• Personalized homework: based on individual needs, some students may have specific homework on a specific day to address specific needs identified by the teachers, while others may not have assigned homework. Teachers will inform parents by email when their child is handed out personalized homework.

• Lists of suggested home activities for parents: per grade, non-mandatory, aligned with the curriculum, these lists aim to support parents who are seeking suggestions. They are shared with parents every few months.

​V-1.​ HOMEWORK WILL CONSIST OF (PreK to J4)

• Reading in English to, with, and by parents or independent reading

​V-2.​ HOMEWORK MAY CONSIST OF (J1 to J4)

• Personalized reinforcement tasks associated with classroom activities based on specific needs, mainly focusing on building automaticity and fluency in math and fluency in word work

• Reading, listening, engaging in activities in French/Spanish/ELL to extend the language exposure beyond the classroom.

• Gathering of additional information or materials

• Unfinished classroom activities

• Writing to respond to the students’ reading, based on grade and class expectations.

• Utilization of materials such as games, flash cards, quiz prep sheets, used in class and shared with specific students based on their needs to be used at home and brought back to school the following day.

​V-3. SUGGESTED HOME ACTIVITIES MAY CONSIST OF (PreK to J4)

• Books

• Websites

• Games

• Applying skills and knowledge learned at school in real life and play activities with parents/family

​V-4. POLICY ROLLOUT

The three main aspects described above will start following this rollout:

• Reading: expected to start from the beginning of the school year.

• Lists of suggested home activities for parents: the first list per grade shared on September 23, valid until winter break. Each grade list may be updated during this period by teachers.

• Personalized homework: beginning Monday, 30 September, your child may receive personalized homework.