View mobile device version - Central Queensland University
View mobile device version - Central Queensland University View mobile device version - Central Queensland University
30 Be: Parenting Homework horrors Dr Ali Black is a senior lecturer in the School of Education at CQUniversity Gladstone. She is also a former early childhood teacher and a parent. While families can sometimes come to loggerheads over the homework table, there is still value to be found in meaningful out-of-school learning, writes Ali Black Homework is one of those activities that can be a source of dread for parents as well as children. It is also an activity that many parents expect and want as proof of good teaching and learning. However, how many of us have good experiences with homework? I have heard too many stories of people stressing for hours at the kitchen table, trying to make sense of homework (and that’s just the parents!). Recently, my 11-year-old was in tears trying to make sense of a task sheet his teacher had given him. It was work that was unfamiliar to him; he had left it to the 11th hour to begin, discovered there was a lot to do, and he was overwhelmed. After reading the homework and finding out the due date – the next morning – I was overwhelmed too. We all have busy lives, children too. My view is that we need to value childhood. It happens once. Family interactions are also precious. A balanced view is essential. If homework is repeatedly a time of stress and struggle then it requires a rethink. We want our kids to feel good about themselves and their learning, and sometimes homework experiences challenge those good feelings. Homework, especially at primary school, doesn’t necessarily support higher achievement levels. If there is too much, or it is too hard, and it takes too long, it can get to be overwhelming and can squeeze out those healthy childhood experiences such as playtime, relaxation, hobbies and just hanging out together. However, homework works well when it is meaningful and builds on what children are learning in class and helps them practise and consolidate knowledge and skills. It can also support the development of planning, research and organisational skills, and strategies for working to deadlines and timelines. It also offers a space for parents to see what children are learning and what they know, to discuss ideas and concepts and to work on projects together. Homework isn’t always easy, so teachers need to ensure they offer strategies for children to use, offering steps and explanations for how tasks might be approached, or what needs to be done. Parents have a role too. We can support the development of optimistic dispositions and encourage our children as they work through ideas and challenges. Learning can be hard, and often is hard. We can be a positive voice and help our children think positively about themselves as learners, about problem solving and about academic work. We can also find out more about homework: how long it should take, what concepts or skills the child should be focusing on, and whether homework could build on children’s interests or include some fun elements – like learning fractions through a cooking activity or dividing up a pizza. We can help our kids by identifying the best time to do homework. Maybe that time is straight after school, or it could be before school, or maybe there is a need to play and relax first. We can help by creating the right environment – a study space with good light, enough space, the right resources (computer, paper, pens, calculator) and few distractions. We can help by focusing on our children’s efforts and acknowledging their good strategies and ideas. Share your homework concerns with the Friends of Be Magazine group on Facebook. HOMEWORK TIPS Find out the teacher’s view on homework If homework equals tears and stress then talk to the teacher about a solution Be a positive voice and source of encouragement Take an interest in your child’s learning and what they do for homework Find the best time for homework Create a good study space at home Break tasks down into manageable bits ISSUE 13
Be: Informed 31 Time to Think Tax CARTOON: DR ANDREW WALLACE Tax time is looming and the best advice is to be well prepared, writes Jennifer Butler. As the end of the financial year approaches you may be starting to think about your tax affairs (or maybe you haven’t started thinking about them just yet). Either way you should give some consideration to what rebates (or offsets) you are going to claim this year, particularly if you are contemplating completing your tax return on your own through e-tax or the paper version, TaxPack. Rebates enable you to get a dollar for dollar reduction against the tax that you have to pay regardless of the level of your taxable income. Some rebates can even lead to a tax refund which means more cash in your pocket. One of the rebates that you may be eligible for is the dependant spouse rebate. This rebate allows you to claim where you are maintaining a spouse who has a low income (under $9,702). The maximum rebate allowable is $2,355, phasing out as the amount of income earned grows. However, this rebate will not be available if the spouse is in receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part B. Also, be aware that the Federal Government is trying to phase this rebate out. At this stage, those with spouses born after 1 July 1971 will no longer be eligible for this rebate. A low income rebate is available if you earn less than $67,500. The full rebate is available for those earning less than $30,000 with the rebate phasing out by four cents in the dollar if you earn more than that amount. The medical expenses rebate is also claimable by many taxpayers, however it is often overlooked. This rebate allows you to claim 20 per cent of net medical expenses over the threshold amount of $2,060. Therefore it is useful for the medical expenses of all family members to be paid by one spouse to ensure a claim can be made. Please note, you must keep a record of your medical expenses to be able to claim this rebate. Although payments to private health insurance do not qualify for the medical expenses rebate, there is a separate rebate available if you pay private health insurance. The rebate is currently for 30% of the private health insurance premium paid, as long as the benefit has not been taken by way of a premium reduction or direct payment. However change is in the air; the Federal Government has implemented amendments to this rebate making it means tested in the future. Under this new scheme, the rebate will be reduced if you earn more than $80,000 a year. Jennifer Butler is a lecturer in Taxation Law at CQUniversity. Proudly celebrating 50 years LOCAL COUNTRY INTERSTATE • Packing & removal of all household furniture & personal eects • Oce removals • Modern storage facilities with storage modules • Overseas packing & shipping – worldwide service • Container hire OBLIGATION FREE QUOTES & MOVING ADVICE www.gormans.com.au ISSUE 13
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Be: Informed<br />
31<br />
Time to<br />
Think<br />
Tax<br />
CARTOON: DR ANDREW WALLACE<br />
Tax time is looming and the best<br />
advice is to be well prepared, writes<br />
Jennifer Butler.<br />
As the end of the financial year<br />
approaches you may be starting<br />
to think about your tax affairs<br />
(or maybe you haven’t started<br />
thinking about them just yet). Either way<br />
you should give some consideration to<br />
what rebates (or offsets) you are going<br />
to claim this year, particularly if you are<br />
contemplating completing your tax return<br />
on your own through e-tax or the paper<br />
<strong>version</strong>, TaxPack.<br />
Rebates enable you to get a dollar for dollar reduction against<br />
the tax that you have to pay regardless of the level of your taxable<br />
income. Some rebates can even lead to a tax refund which means<br />
more cash in your pocket.<br />
One of the rebates that you may be eligible for is the dependant<br />
spouse rebate. This rebate allows you to claim where you are<br />
maintaining a spouse who has a low income (under $9,702). The<br />
maximum rebate allowable is $2,355, phasing out as the amount of<br />
income earned grows. However, this rebate will not be available if<br />
the spouse is in receipt of Family Tax Benefit Part B. Also, be aware<br />
that the Federal Government is trying to phase this rebate out. At<br />
this stage, those with spouses born after 1 July 1971 will no longer be<br />
eligible for this rebate.<br />
A low income rebate is available if you earn less than $67,500.<br />
The full rebate is available for those earning less than $30,000 with<br />
the rebate phasing out by four cents in the dollar if you earn more<br />
than that amount.<br />
The medical expenses rebate is also claimable by many<br />
taxpayers, however it is often overlooked. This rebate allows you<br />
to claim 20 per cent of net medical expenses over the threshold<br />
amount of $2,060. Therefore it is useful for the medical expenses of<br />
all family members to be paid by one spouse to ensure a claim can be<br />
made. Please note, you must keep a record of your medical expenses<br />
to be able to claim this rebate.<br />
Although payments to private health insurance do not qualify<br />
for the medical expenses rebate, there is a separate rebate available<br />
if you pay private health insurance. The rebate is currently for<br />
30% of the private health insurance premium paid, as long as the<br />
benefit has not been taken by way of a premium reduction or direct<br />
payment. However change is in the air; the Federal Government has<br />
implemented amendments to this rebate making it means tested in<br />
the future. Under this new scheme, the rebate will be reduced if you<br />
earn more than $80,000 a year.<br />
Jennifer Butler is a lecturer in Taxation Law at CQ<strong>University</strong>.<br />
Proudly celebrating<br />
50 years<br />
LOCAL COUNTRY INTERSTATE<br />
• Packing & removal of all household furniture &<br />
personal eects<br />
• Oce removals<br />
• Modern storage facilities with storage<br />
modules<br />
• Overseas packing & shipping –<br />
worldwide service<br />
• Container hire<br />
OBLIGATION FREE QUOTES & MOVING ADVICE<br />
www.gormans.com.au<br />
ISSUE 13
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