Take the stress out of HomeworkParents and their children both work long hours. They are all tired at the end of the day, and when they see they have to do homework, it’s very stressful. But there is a type of homework kids all over the world are begging to do.
Some teachers have discovered the best kind of homework of all; reading. This is an assignment that can be fun and relaxing at the same time for most children. Parents enjoy it because they can participate. They can be the audience as their child reads aloud or they can sit down after supper and read every other page. Reading is the best homework of all. It also furthers the most important learning skill taught in elementary school. Single handedly it can increase vocabulary, increase fluency in a child's oral reading ability. It can open new worlds and develop their imagination. Its fun to do and can be done in any place. Aidan Out with the old...Recently a new style of homework has been introduced called the “upside down” method. The “upside down” method has many things old forms of homework didn’t have like choices, allowing for varying abilities and many more.
In the “upside down,” method motivation has a big role. It gives students choices in what they do. The “upside down” method allows students to pre learn information instead of revising it. It gives them tasks to suit their ability, so it is not too easy or not too hard. A lot of students like this idea and hope it is here to stay, because homework has to be fun for them to do. By Emilija |
Homework - the new modelHomework is a part of student’s everyday lives. We need to move on from the old ways of revision and think about bringing ways to stimulate their minds.
A new method, called the “upside down approach” allows students to pre-learn a topic before discussing it in class. This allows students to draw on knowledge and develops in-depth learning. Students have found their understanding and therefore their grades are improving since using this method. It more interesting than revision and motivates students to learn more. The “upside down approach” has proven to be a great way of keeping students thinking and should be in classrooms across Australia. By Micheala ....in With the new
Recently a new style of homework has been introduced, and students are begging to do it.
There is more motivation because it is fun and students actually want to do it. This is good because they have choices and do not have to repeat what they have learnt in class. Children now can pre learn topics and bring this knowledge into class discussions. The new version has more value as it works at their ability level. This way it is not too easy so they get bored and not too hard so they stress and want to give up. I believe that the new version of homework is better because it has encourages motivation, has more value and parents and students like it better. Alex |
Improving resultsHomework has to be improved because our learning skills are dropping. Naplan results from 2008-2012 are worse because students do not want to do their homework nor their work during class time. If students in class finish their work they will not have to do it for homework.
If there is too much homework students will not do it because they will either get bored from too much work or they will leave it because they do not want to do it. If the homework given is too easy, students will not do it and will choose to go play PlayStation or iPad because they already know the work and will not benefit from it at all. If the homework is too hard students will not learn anything new because they will not understand any of the work they are given. The new style of homework introduces different strategies and exciting ways to learn new things every day. This style involves technology such as iPads, iPods and computers. Kids are now enjoying homework more and are trying harder. It allows them to research information they will need in future lessons rather than revising old skills. This allows good discussions to happen in class. The old homework is boring for students so it is time for everyone to change the way students learn and to make homework more fun. Katrina |
homework out the windowWhat is the point of doing homework the old way? The majority of children say that it is a waste of time.
Children need motivation to learn. If teachers set homework that engages students they are more likely to be motivated. They will engage in school activities, have better learning skills and have a more positive attitude towards school. Students are bored with the same old revision and repeating the work they learnt in school. But there is no need for that because a new strategy is in. The new strategy otherwise known as the "upside down" method is better than the old strategy as it is more fun and engaging. It allows students to pre-learn a topic and develops more in depth class discussions. It incorporates some student choice and encourages risk taking. The "upside down" method develops problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration. It is a fun and new way for students to learn. It’s time for the old strategy to move out because the new strategy is in. Shanaya |
What is the point?What's the point of homework? Does it really help us? Children need motivation to learn. Students who are motivated are more likely to engage in school work and activities, and have better learning skills. They also have a more positive attitude towards school. The old strategy doesn't excite learnng because it is based on revision and rote learning.
The new stragety is called the 'upside down method'. The upside down method allows students to research and prelearn information they will need in following lessons. Teachers want to give homework that is beneficial to students. The news strategy allows students a choice in how to present information. It helps develop innovation, critical thinking and problem solving. I believe that the new stragety is beneficial and that it helps students with their independent learning skills. Jenna HomeworkIt's time a new homework strategy is introduced.
Students are wasting time doing work which they have already revised at school. They are put under a lot of stress, and fear the consequences if not completed. A suggestion is to lessen the homework or give more time. Do a pretest and check who needs a bit easier work and who needs a challenge. Let students know it is okay for them to tell you if they are struggling. I think that we should enforce a new strategy so we can make homework a priority that all students will find exciting and a thing to look forward. If students have homework that is at their level they will be motivated to get it done. Nishi |
No one like homework... or do they?Recently a new style of homework has been introduced and kids are begging to do it.
The old version of homework according to students, is boring. It enforces revision instead of allowing students to learn new things. The new 'upside down version' of homework must be put in place in schools because it increases motivation. The new method allows students to prelearn information so they can discuss it in detail in class. I believe this new version of needs to be put in place in schools so that there will be more value, motivation and there will actually be a point in doing homework. Rebecca Out with the old...Studies are showing that homework is not improving children's education. Some schools are introducing the 'upside down approach' giving students more time for outside time and family interaction.
Some parents are saying that homework is interfering with student's lives. This could be solved by being more organized and getting things done at school. Children find it hard to get motivated about homework. This is because they are revising things they learnt during school time. More students enjoy learning new things. The new approach allows students to prelearn information and have some choice in how to present it. Old homework is going out of date and it is time to try something new. Renee |
Dangers of the NetParents WAKE UP! Do you really know what your children are doing on the internet?
Internet usage has increased over the years. It is part of our everyday lives but is internet usage one of the main causes of childhood obesity? Technology is the way forward but it can be very addictive. Children are using the internet more and more these days but sitting down and looking at the screen all day it can lead to childhood obesity. Limiting your child’s internet usage is important. Allowing them to use the internet at certain hours would improve their health. Keep an eye on your child while they are using any electronic device and make sure they are out in the open where you can see them. Children are capable of going on websites they should never go on they can be looking at inappropriate things or talking to people they don’t even know. Cassie Internet usageWake Up Parents! Do you really know what your children are doing on the Internet
Technology including internet usage can be very addictive. In Australia/Oceania alone, there are 18 million users. An average child spends 6 hours on the Internet a day. Children are getting less mobile and socially active than they were a few years ago. Instead they are staying inside glued to their computers. Internet also stops children from learning vital skills. They can't build relationships over the social networking sites and they won't have any social support. Children can't learn to confront people. The internet attracts people in different ways. Boys like the violent fighting games unlike girls who prefer the social networking sites. Excessive internet usage can lead to mental sicknesses such as depression, anxiety and stress. Parents should monitor how much time their children spend on the internet and make sure that they get outside and do some exercise. Amelia |
is TECHNOLOGY making your child fat?Are computers making your child fat? Do you really know how much your child is using technology every day?
In Australia children are using technology so much that it is becoming a big issue, parents used to only have to worry about children watching television, now they have to worry about other sorts of technology. In Australia alone the average child uses technology 5 hours a day. It’s not just at home that your child is using technology. Almost all day they use technology starting with T.V and video games in the morning, iPads, Smart Boards and Laptops at school and video games and computer in the afternoon. When children start high school they now need to buy their own MacBooks, or iPads instead of textbooks. This can be a problem because children are not active and they do not play outside. It can lead to obesity and other health problems. In conclusion I think that children should be able to use technology but only in short amounts. Michael Is technology making your children obese?Australian children are using technology for 5 and a half hours a day and in America children are using technology for more than seven hours a day.
Eighty percent of children are inside playing the computer and iPod and hardly ever going outside to play sport. If children are not going outside they aren’t getting any fresh air and exercise, making them overweight. Watching TV and playing the computer before bed can damage eyes and make it very hard to fall asleep. No sleep means your child won’t be able to get up for school. Children should be allowed to use the computer but must be given limits so they don’t play it all day. Liam S DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING?Wake Up Parents!!! Do you really know what your children are doing on the Internet
Technology including Internet usage can be very addictive. In Australia/Oceania alone, there are 18 million users. Children are getting less mobile and socially active than they were a few years ago. Instead they are staying inside glued to their computers. Internet usage also stops children from learning vital skills. They can't build relationships over the social networking sites and they won't have any social skills. Children can't learn to confront people appropriately. The Internet attracts people in different ways. Boys like the violent fighting games unlike girls who prefer the social networking sites. An average child spends 6 hours on the Internet a day. Excessive Internet usage can lead to mental sicknesses such as depression, anxiety and stress. Parents should monitor how much time their children spend on the internet and make sure that they get outside and do some exercise. Moriah |
Wake Up Parents
Parents, look around at your family’s everyday life. Most of you will see your children’s attention being consumed by technology. This includes iPads, iPods, computers, television and mobile phones.
Technology seems to be the way forward but children are not being limited on their internet usage. A survey conducted by Kaiser Family Foundation that shows children spend on average 7 hours a day on electronic media. This survey also revealed that children spend more time on technology than they do with their family, at school or sleeping. Almost half of the children surveyed had grpoor grades. Are parents really okay with this? More and more children in Australia are becoming obese and parents are complaining. It is not the child’s fault but the parents. Parents, please, limit your child’s use of technology. Camille Buses need Seat beltsNSW wake up! Save the lives of our citizens and put seat belts on our buses. Seat belts are a vital way to keep us safe.
Just recently Western Australia put seatbelts in their buses costing 15 million dollars. Are the benefits going to outweigh the cost of seatbelts and prevent our children from getting injured? Buses should have seat belts because they will keep people safe and protect our children. Even though buses are designed to withstand crashes our children aren’t. Seat belts are the best way to keep our children safe on the road. All other road vehicles have seat belts, why not buses? So put them on school buses in NSW to help make our community safe. We should have seat belts on our school buses so we can help reduce the death toll. Help save children’s lives put seatbelts on school buses and help make Australia a safer for place for us and our next generation. Gabriel |
internet usageHave any of you thought how much your children are using the internet? Children all around the globe are using the internet. Even children at the age of 3 know how to use it.
The internet is a very good source of information. Homework and projects can be hard to do without using the internet. The internet has other advantages to it like being able to contact people, improving your knowledge with quizzes and other brain exercises. Having the internet also helps our brain to grow and expand our thoughts on different objects will help us in the future with our career and what we want to be when we all grow up. Being able to contact friends for free by using Skype, Facebook, and email is really amazing. Despite all of the advantages, using the internet can cause problems such as having your child using it for the wrong reasons. Some schools are allowing students to have I-pads and laptops during school hours, it is a great advantage but children may not be using it to the best of their ability and could be using this for cheating without a teacher even knowing. Your children should have limits on the internet. They need enough time to do homework but also have time to play with friends and get some fresh air. Emily |
Seat belts for busesBuses must have seat belts to prevent serious injuries. All other types of road transport have seat belts so why not buses?
Other states except for NSW and VIC have seat belts on all buses. NSW and VIC are the two highest populated states in Australia which means the risk of a bus crash is more likely. This has been a government issue since the early 1990s but they still havent acted. It would cost over 100 million dollars to install seat belts, but can we really put a price on a person’s life? People standing up on a buses can distract the driver and increase the chance of a crash. If seat belts were installed and everybody was seated the bus driver would have less distractions. Buses are more dangerous than cars due to the fact that they are larger and take longer to stop. As their profile is higher it can increase the chance of rolling. On the 10th of September, in Singleton, a bus crashed and a boy flew out the window. Sadly the eight year old boy died. This tragic accident could have been prevented if seat belts were installed. No matter how long it takes and how much it costs, we can’t put a price on a person’s life. We must have seat belts installed on all buses! Kristan Buses need seat beltsIt is vital that buses have seat belts. Without them passengers are in danger of serious injury or death. Seat belts are compulsory in every other road vehicle because of possible crashes, why not buses?
Buses hold more people than cars which mean more people could get hurt and are vulnerable to injury. What about school buses, this is not only adults we are talking about here. Other states have already put seat belts on buses. NSW and Victoria need to follow suit to keep their communities safe. Vincent |
NSW Wake UpNSW wake up and make our local community a safer place, put seat belts on buses. Seat belts are a vital way to make NSW roads a safer and better place to be. Just recently Western Australia put seat belts on all of their buses and it cost $15 million. Are the benefits going to outweigh the costs? Seat belts are important as they stop people from hitting the back of chairs. Enforcing the use of seat belts will prevent over crowded buses as people won’t be able to stand. Keeping people safe on buses will mean less law suits or hospital bills. In the long run seatbelts will save money and will make our local community a much safer place. Adrian |
NSW belt up!All School buses should have seat belts to prevent serious injuries to passengers. Cars have seat belts, coaches and trucks have them too so why don’t school buses?
New South Wales and Victoria are the only states not to have seat belts on school buses and they are the states that have the highest population. This has been a government issue since the early 90s and they still haven’t acted. If we put seatbelts on school buses we will be saving lives by preventing passengers from getting thrown from the bus in sharp turns. Seat belts can also prevent passengers distracting the driver when standing up. Wearing seatbelts on buses reinforces good safety habits because children will wear them in the car as well. The government has set up a committee to make recommendations on school bus safety. The committee has already received 110 submissions. It would cost nearly 100 million dollars to install seatbelts. But can you put a price on people’s lives? Joseph |
Saving LivesAll the states except NSW and Victoria have seatbelts on buses, why not us? Why do we not value safety? We have the most populated state if anyone should have them it should be us. The Government won’t put seatbelts on buses because it would cost too much but can you put a price on people’s lives?
Not having seatbelts on buses has been a problem since the early 1990’s and it still has not been done. Buses in NSW should have seatbelts in them just like other states for the safety of all. Liam P |