Presentation Secondary School, Wexford

GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING DEPARTMENT

Dear Parents /Guardians ,

We welcome your daughter to the school. By now she has got use to the new routine and become familiar with all the new teachers, subjects and students in her class. Establishing good habits and routines in First Year is very important.

To ensure your daughter’s success in her secondary school education we feel that it is of vital importance that we work together to encourage good homework and study habits from now in First Year.

We suggest the following guidelines which may help you to encourage your daughter in her homework & studies.

We hope this year will be both a happy and successful one for your daughter.

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Guidance Counsellors

GUIDELINES FOR HOMEWORK FOR 1ST YEARS.

HOMEWORK JOURNAL

Ø This is not a private diary.

Ø Parents and teachers can look at it whenever they wish.

Ø Each class must be written in it.

Ø It needs to be checked regularly.

WHAT IS HOMEWORK?

Ø It is the revision of the day’s work.

Ø It is written work.

Ø It is work to be learned.

WHERE TO STUDY?

Ø The same place and time every day, if possible. Routine is very important.

Ø A quiet room and a business like atmosphere.

Ø A table and supportive chair is recommended.

Ø Good lighting is essential and the room should not be too hot.

Ø NO FRIENDS / TV / PHONES / MUSIC during study time.

Ø Check regularly to see what work is being done.

WHEN AND HOW LONG FOR STUDY?

Ø As soon as possible after school.

Ø Homework is not advisable after 9.00 P.M.

Ø It should not be done in the morning before school.

Ø It is recommended to spend approximately 1.5 to 2 hours five nights a week.

Ø It is important to develop a homework routine and to learn to time management.

TIME MANAGEMENT

Ø Use a homework timetable.

Ø 15 – 20 minutes a subject is recommended.

Ø Do not spend a long time on any one subject.

Ø Take breaks and allocate EXTRA time at the end of the study time for a particular subject if needed.

HOW TO STUDY?

Ø Do homework on the night given.

Ø Make sure to concentrate when studying the subject.
Ø Use active learning methods when memorising –Read, Cover, Write/Say , Check

Ø ‘Reading over’ is not learning.


COPING WITH TESTS


Ø PLANNED rather than CRAMMED study.

This means studying every night rather than trying to do it all just before a test.

Ø Use the weekend for revision.

Ø Self test regularly.

Ø Learn from your mistakes and make sure that corrections are done.

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP DURING SCHOOL TERM

In order to get on very well at school it is important to make homework a priority. Homework must be done before going out to other social activities in the evening.

Supervise & Monitor homework -This can be done in the following way:

Ø Examine learning work.

Ø Check journal.

Ø Check presentation of written work.

Ø Encourage asking questions in class.

Ø Insist that the bag is packed the night before.

Ø Make sure that your daughter eats well (having a breakfast, lunch etc.).

Ø Encourage regular exercise and relaxation at lunch time in school.

Ø Remind her to go to bed early on school nights.