1. How to Help Your Child At Home

2. We will cover…  The ‘What, Why, Who, When and Where’ of Homework (10mins)  Role of the Pupil, Parent/helper and Staff (5 mins)  How to support Reading  How to support Spelling  How to support Literacy Homework (Writing)  How to support Numeracy Homework  How to support Science Homework (10mins)  Independent Studies  Useful Websites (5 mins) Time for questions at the end of each section.

3. WHY Homework?  It raises standards.  It develops a child’s skills of independence.  It helps children to work to a deadline.  It builds confidence.  It helps promote a ‘love for learning’.  It reinforces what is taught in school.  It helps inform parents of WHAT is being taught and WHEN it is being taught.  It ensures teaching time is used to maximum effect.

4. WHAT Homework?  Homework falls with in these distinct areas:  Reading- approx 10 mins + reading for pleasure  Literacy (written task)- approx 45 mins  Spellings- approx 5 mins x 3 week  Numeracy- approx 30 mins  Science- approx 20 mins  In Year 5 & 6 a maximum of 120 minutes a week should be spent on homework. This includes Reading.  Homework is recorded in the Homework diary.  Homework is outlined in homework letter sent out early September.

5. WHO Homework? ‘It is important to note that parents help with homework is very much appreciated, welcomed and beneficial to the child; however it is the responsibility of the pupil not the parent aiming to develop pupils’ personal responsibility…’ (Homework Policy, September 2012)  Primarily the PUPILS.  Supported by parents, older siblings, staff, friends, pupil mentors.  Pupils are encouraged to WORK TOGETHER on homework. Collaboration not copying (an ethos we have cultivated in school). ‘The learning style we promote is a supportive culture enabling pupils to be honest about their difficulties, able to share their mistakes and able to ask for help’.

6. WHEN Homework?  Always set on a Friday (except Spellings= Monday and Science = Tuesday/Thursday ).  Always handed in the following week.  Pupils encouraged to complete EARLIER in the week so help can be sought if they are having difficulties – good time management.  Tuesday is Homework Club (3.30pm-4.30pm) – possibly an option for some pupils and parents.  Homework is generally given during the holidays.

7. WHERE Homework?  A quiet, tidy place.  A warm comfortable place.  A space large enough for books/sheets.  A good quality pen/pencil.  Access to a drink/something to eat.  Avoid isolation.  At a friend’s house – Collaboration.  Consider Homework club if these are difficult to achieve.  Pupils have a homework diary to record tasks.  Pupils have a spelling book in Y5&6 to learn spellings from.  Pupils have a literacy homework book to write in.  Pupils have a plastic folder to keep all homework items in.

8. Role of the Pupil  Complete tasks on time.  Present work neatly.  Try – you will always be praised – don’t give up!  Ask for help if you need it early on – make a choice.  Use your strategy book- bring back to lessons.  Ask for a replacement early if you lose your homework.  Time to complete by 3.30pm - Choose whether to complete missing homework either at break time, lunch time (after you have eaten) or Finishing off time on Friday. In exceptional circumstances, we will accept on a Monday morning (for genuine reasons – e.g. been in hospital during the week, please send a note/message via office.)

9. Role of the Parent/helper  Provide your child with resources (space, pen/pencil/drink).  Check the homework diary. For homework set and sign  Check their school bag on a Friday for their homework folder.  Agree when the homework will be done and stick to it.  Allow them to complete themselves unless they ask for help.  If they ask for help do so with lots of encouragements and praise for what they have achieved so far.  Encourage use of strategy books where appropriate.  Don’t complete for them.  Challenge if incorrect but don’t discourage.

10. Role of Staff  Provide homework on a Friday (spellings on Monday).  Ensure pupils record in homework diary.  Ensure pupils have resources to complete and provide a replacement if lost.  Ensure pupils leave school with homework on a Friday.  Provide a peer mentor or support staff if necessary.  Mark in most appropriate way – teacher, teaching assistant, peer feedback, self mark.  Sign diaries at end of week.

11. Reading  Have a set time for reading – just before bed is a good time.  Vary the audience – read to self, to a peer,to parent/sibling/grandparent.  Ask questions as you go along.  Stories – ask about the characters, their feelings, the settings, what do you think will happen next, ‘that’s an interesting word, can you think of another word?’  Non-fiction – often new vocabulary so ask about this  After reading, reflect on what has been read – did they enjoy, what is coming next?  At the end of the book ask your child to ‘review it’ – example in the pack.

12. Spelling  By Key Stage 2 pupils have a ‘bank’ of words from Key Stage 1 to draw on for their writing – ensure these are spelt correctly in any written task.  The Rule is key. For Example, ‘When spelling words with a double consonant, listen to the vowel sound’: e.g. hopping = short vowel = double consonant hoping = long vowel = single consonant  Use Look, Say, Cover, Say, Write, Say, Check to learn (LSCSWSC).  Verbal Quiz with the word in context – “Can you spell ‘hopping’ – I love hopping round the playground with my friends”.  Be creative with ‘tricky words’ – make a poster.  Play games – e.g. Spelling Sparkle.  Use a game on the internet to extend the words/rule.

13. Literacy Homework (Writing)  Writing tasks vary but essentially we want children to write INDEPENDENTLY with CONFIDENCE for a given PURPOSE and AUDIENCE.  Write for 20 minutes – try to do this in one sitting, it will reduce the number of mistakes.  If your child is a ‘reluctant writer’, use a ‘target dot’ to aim for. Balance of QUALITY and QUANTITY.  Don’t allow handwriting to limit but all work must be legible and show a degree of effort in presentation.  Discuss the writing task – make word mats (see example in pack).  Read through the punctuation pyramid – challenge your child to use level 3 punctuation correctly all the time - stretch this to level 4 for year 4 pupils (see pyramid in pack).  Use the ‘parent & pupil’ checklist at front of literacy homework book to help support your child.

14. Science Homework  CGP pages are directly linked to the learning objective from that weeks lesson.  3 pages on average.  Vocabulary plays a key role – make dictionary posters with definitions of new or scientific words.  Practise underlining the key words in a sentence (see example in your pack).  When complete – check your child’s work – challenge any mistakes, discuss corrections if you are confident. If they insist it is correct, leave it.  Revision sheet at end of topic to revise from in preparation for test.

15. Numeracy Homework  We will provide written examples of strategies used in the Strategy book where appropriate.  Children are encouraged to use their strategy book to support their homework.  Provided on a sheet – completed work to be recorded on the sheet.  By the end of Year 3 pupils must know their: 2x 3x 4x 5x and 10x tables confidently and out of order.  By the end of Year 4 pupils must know their: 2 to 12x tables confidently and out of order.

16. Independent Studies  These are optional but recommended in helping children achieve the aim of Independent learning.  Choose at least 1 over the year (outlined on homework letter).  Be Creative.  Again, support by providing resources and opportunities but don’t do the study for them.  Spread it out over the term.  Encourage your child to use ICT and the Internet.  Rewards in class as well as the ‘Assembly Prize’.

17. Useful Websites aa