IIER 10: Forster (2000) - Homework: A Bridge Too Far? homework was also seen as enabling the child to gain good study habits, Mothers often attempted to help their children with homework but a number of http://education.curtin.edu.au/iier/iier10/forster.html
Extractions: University of Technology, Sydney Every child crosses the divide from the home setting to the school setting each day but for some children this is much less of a divide than for others. In recent years much educational writing and research have been devoted to the pursuit of ways to make the crossing easier, to tasks we may refer to as the building and strengthening of bridges. When reflecting on these efforts it is worth examining the connections which exist now between the home and the school. These may be characterised in four main ways: The most obvious links occur when information that is immediately relevant and specific is passed back and forth between the home or parent and the school, for example, the traditional note home. Another link occurs in the broader and ongoing communication between home and school of concerns, hopes, triumphs - again in both directions. This can take many forms, such as face to face, written, and indirect communication. Developmental portfolios are a recent example. A further link comes through the involvement of the parent in school life and of the school or teacher in the home life of students. Reading schemes such as Talk to a Literacy Learner are examples found in many primary schools.
