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Dunfermline High School

Homework in English

S1 - S3

In S1 - S3, it is expected that pupils will complete at least 30 minutes of personal reading per week. This will build on the ten minutes reading undertaken in class each day. Pupils may choose to read books from home or those borrowed from the school library. 

Own words and non-fiction reading tasks will each be issued twice per term to develop and consolidate reading and comprehension skills. In addition to this, class teachers will issue homework in relation to literature studied and writing skills on a regular basis.

Task: Own Words reading comprehension.

 

Pupils will be given a short non-fiction extract to read at home. After reading carefully, pupils will be expected to summarise (using bullet points) the key ideas of the extract. An example of how to approach this activity will be modelled in class during term one. 

 

Frequency: 

Two per term. 

Task: Non-fiction article.

 

Pupils will be expected to read a longer newspaper article. They will then answer a range of questions relating to the key ideas, writer's language and audience and purpose. An example of how to approach this activity will be modelled in class during term one.  

 

Frequency: 

Two per term. 

 

Task: Literature and Writing.

 

In the course of each term, homework activities will be issued based on the texts being studied in each class. This tasks may include: comprehension questions, character profiles, diary entries etc.. 

 

Frequency:

At least once per term. 

 

National 5

Pupils studying National 5 English will be expected to complete homework tasks covering a range of skills in preparation for the final exam. In addition to this, pupils will also be expected to work on planning and writing their writing pieces for their Writing Portfolio (worth 30% of the overall award). 

Task: RUAE question types and non-fiction reading logs.

 

In preparation for National 5 Paper One, pupils will be issued with homework focusing on a particular question type each term. This will require them to apply the strategies covered in class to unseen exam-style questions. 

Pupils are encouraged to read non-fiction articles regularly and will complete reading logs to demonstrate their skills in understanding and analysing the language used. 

 

Frequency:

One question type task per term.

Two reading logs per term. 

Task: Literature-based activities.

 

Each class will complete a range of tasks to consolidate their understanding of their Scottish Set Text and how to approach exam questions in this paper. 

In addition to this, pupils will be expected to undertake homework tasks in preparation for their Critical Essay assessments. 

These tasks may include: 

reading a class text at home, revising key quotations and  practising essay skills. Activities exploring plot, theme and characterisation will also be issued. 

 

Frequency: 

It is expected that the revision of literature will be ongoing. Class teachers will issue these tasks as appropriate throughout the session. 

Task: Writing Portfolio.

 

Pupils will undertake a range of planning and writing tasks as part of their important preparation for the pieces of work they will submit for the Writing Portfolio. 

Using the frameworks and guidance provided by class teachers, pupils will submit proposals, detailed plans and undertake research for persuasive writing pieces. For the creative writing piece, pupils may choose to write in an imaginative or reflective style and pupils will submit excerpts of their writing and more detailed drafts.

 

Frequency:

Ongoing throughout the session. One draft of writing to be submitted in December and another in February

 

 

Higher

Pupils studying Higher English will be expected to complete homework tasks covering a range of skills in preparation for the final exam. In addition to this, pupils will also be expected to work on planning and writing their writing pieces for their Writing Portfolio (worth 30% of the overall award). 

Task: RUAE question types and non-fiction reading logs.

 

In preparation for Higher Paper One, pupils will be issued with homework focusing on a particular question type each term. This will require them to apply the strategies covered in class to unseen exam-style questions. 

Pupils are encouraged to read non-fiction articles regularly and will complete reading logs to demonstrate their skills in understanding and analysing the language used. 

 

Frequency:

One question type task per term.

Two reading logs per term.

Task: Literature-based activities.

 

Each class will complete a range of tasks to consolidate their understanding of their Scottish Set Text and how to approach exam questions in this paper. 

In addition to this, pupils will be expected to undertake homework tasks in preparation for their Critical Essay assessments. 

These tasks may include: 

reading a class text at home, revising key quotations and  practising essay skills. Activities exploring plot, theme and characterisation will also be issued. 

 

Frequency: 

It is expected that the revision of literature will be ongoing. Class teachers will issue these tasks as appropriate throughout the session. 

Task: Writing Portfolio.

 

Pupils will undertake a range of planning and writing tasks as part of their important preparation for the pieces of work they will submit for the Writing Portfolio. 

Using the frameworks and guidance provided by class teachers, pupils will submit proposals, detailed plans and undertake research for persuasive writing pieces. For the creative writing piece, pupils may choose to write in an imaginative or reflective style and pupils will submit excerpts of their writing and more detailed drafts.

 

Frequency:

Ongoing throughout the session. One draft of writing to be submitted in December and another in February

 

Advanced Higher

Task: Literary Study (20%)
  • Independent reading of assigned texts
  • Planning for timed essay assessments 
  • Undertaking regular timed (90 mins) practice essays in class time
  • Independently practising full essays in timed conditions
  • Acting on feedback to rework key sections of essays
Frequency: 

It is expected that the revision of literature will be ongoing. Class teachers will issue these tasks as appropriate throughout the session.

Textual Analysis (20%)
  • Reviewing and revising notes on TA genre independently.
  • Planning for timed assessments. 
  • Undertaking regular timed (90) practice analysis in class time.
  • Independently finishing off notes and key ideas at home from work started in class.
  • Reviewing model examples and developing responses based on feedback. 
  • Independently analysing short texts at home.

 

Frequency: 

Ongoing, as appropriate, throughout the session.

Dissertation (30%, 2500-3500 words)
  • Independent reading of chosen texts
  • Planning and structuring of first draft
  • Undertaking secondary research and reading on chosen texts
  • Maintaining communication with departmental Dissertation supervisor
Draft 1: December
Draft 2: February
Final Submission: March
Folio (30%, one piece)
  • Experiment with genre and create a bank of writing as Folio options
  • Acting on feedback to edit and redraft
Draft 1: Nov
Final Submission: March