I Believe That Homework Should Be…………?

Homework is arguments which there are lots of convincing statements on both sides.This debate is finding out what most people think of homework. 

Some parents state that homework develops skills which children need when they become adults because homework teaches children to have self-discipline and work independently, which are valuable skills in adult life. But some teachers disagree, and say that too much homework can badly affect children’s social skills because they have no time to socialise with other children, so they grow up lacking important skills.  

OFSTED claim that children who do homework do better in exams because OFSTED carried out a research and found that children who regularly complete their homework do better in exams. Despite this, Durham University also state that children do not perform better in exams as a result of doing homework. In their research they found that out that children who do tens minutes of homework, compared to children who do not, don’t get any higher.

Parents believe that homework improves the relationship between them and their children because they spend more time together, rather than watching TV. But other parents remark that homework doesn’t improve their relationship, because they would normally force their children to do homework.  

Some teachers think it puts children under too much stress to get it done, but some children say their school teaches them to have confidence and believe they can get it done.  

This debate comes down to the parents because they are the ones who own the children who do the work, so no one can make them, so I think homework will be around for a while yet.

Anonymous

There is a man down the street from me, probably in his late 70’s, no one knows his name and as always people are afraid of the unknown. His actions support this. He spends most of his time inside, sitting in the same old chair, starring at the same old pictures on the wall. Are they of his family? Does he have a family?  All I know is that I wouldn’t be surprised if I found a skeleton or two in his closet.

This man’s eyes are pure red sapphires. In the centre of this rainbow of sight, under lock and key, lies the tragedies he’d seen and the tears he had shed, as a caged bird staying safely confined because freedom is too painful to bear. The neat clean strings upon his head we call hair, is a white paradise that would put the gentle freeze of Antarctica to shame. I could easily recognise those sensible clothes anywhere. They look like they were made of fluffy clouds. Clothes so soft you could be put at peace with a single touch. He wears a brown fleece, black trousers and a pair of modern shoes. They say a lot about him, because under all that dejection and desolation lies an innocent old man at heart. What has upset the innocence inside a murder perhaps or failing to come aid to a once loved companion, in a life or death situation. When no one is looking a gold bracelet probably belonged to his wife and hold it in his, scared, cut, bruised hands. His index finger on his right hand would twitch as if he were pulling something. A trigger maybe. Was he in the army? We may never know.

It is obvious that this man is troubled, lonely and upset. All because he misses his wife and seen things no man ever should. He has no way of letting it out. Not once have I seen him cry not once have I seen him become angry or upset. As I was sitting in deep thought, a scary thought hits me. Is he waiting to be put out of his misery or to put someone else out of their misery? If I know anything the answer will always stay anonymous.         

Below is a speech that was delivered by Nicole Gillick who spoke on behalf of the Soap Box Enterprise at a Public Speaking Competition held in St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon.

"Hello my name is Nicole Gillick

Today we are selling a high quality soap called Scented Breeze we choose this name because our soaps are scented and

It’s like a wonderful breeze on your skin when you use it.

To make this fabulous soap we melted natural soap in a bowl then mixed it and add lots of exotic colours suitable for a boy or girl of all ages then we added different scents such as baby power, ocean breeze and lavender.

To package this excellent creation we used Mesh we choose this because it’s reusable which is great for the environment.

For promotions we used posters and we wrote a speech and promoted them in our schools Christmas plays to sale all our school.

We priced Scented Breeze at £1.65 because then we would get a 45p profit and it’s a very good price especially in the recession. In every pack there are 2 soaps and we know   it’s a very luxurious item anybody would love

We sold Scented Breeze in the main entrance of our school. I think we worked superbly and made excellent progress together. Personally I love this project I never had so much fun at school before.   

Mr O’Hagan helped me a lot to write my speeches and told me what I could improve and he gave me a lot of ideas of how to write them   

I wouldn’t do anything differently because I think I did a good enough job.     

All our products are all hand made with natural materials and ingredients."

Bland egg

 No leg

 A Green wiggle

 No giggle

Oval case

Special place

Watch it fly

As it passes you by

You can’t buy

Beautiful Butterfly

Megan Fearon

                                                                           6 Glebe Crescent      

                                                                           Dungarvan Rd

                                                                           Dungarvan                        

                                                                           Co. Waterford

                                                                           BT70 3PR                        

Dear Anna,                                                        

I’ve got the most tremendous news for you, WE WON THE CUP! It was the most exciting game I had ever played. The pitch was like a chocolate swimming pool; the players were slipping and sliding everywhere as if they were on ice rink.

During the match I heard a familiar voice it was cap man. (I call him this because I never see him without his flat cap.)  Our first goal was a fluke, Mickey Rayll, one of our midfielders booted the ball, it was going wide but it hit a blob of mud on the ground and went into the Hartnett’s net, HOORAY.

My clothes were soaked and I was absolutely mucked to the eye balls, my hands were numb because of the bitter cold wind. I made the best save of my life it was jaw - dropping. I was on the ground when I saw the ball going for the top right hand corner. I got up, sprinted for the ball then I slipped sliding straight for the net, I regained my balance. The ball was coming right into my chest. I grabbed it and blasted it up the pitch. Just then the whistle went for full time. All our fans came running onto the pitch chanting KIRSTEN, KIRSTEN. It was the best moment of my career.

See you soon 

Title: Under the Hawthorn Tree                                                

Author: Marita Conlon McKenna

Illustrator: Donald Teskey

This is a story about three young children who have to endure Ireland’s Great Famine. They embark on an epic journey that will take them across Ireland. It is beautifully depicted in an adventurous but heart rending tale as they go in search of Castletaggart and their great aunts Lena and Nano.

The story begins in the O’Driscoll family with Eily, the oldest child of John and Margaret O’Driscoll along with Michael, Peggy and Bridget. Bridget the youngest is sick and isn’t getting any better. Eily and Peggy go to Mary Kate Conway, a kind old lady, to get goose grease for Bridget. The next day Eily, Michael and Peggy go with Dan Collins to the bog to collect turf. During that night Bridget passes away. She is buried under the hawthorn tree (hence the title Under the Hawthorn Tree). A few days later the mother goes looking for their father. While she is away the children are told that unless their parents come back they will have to go to the dreaded workhouse but to avoid this they set out on a great journey to their great aunts in Castletaggart. On their journey they are attacked by vicious dogs and only manage to scare them away thanks to the bravery of Michael. Later on in their journey Peggy gats sick and falls into a deep sleep. This is a very worrying time for the children. Will they ever reach Castletaggart?