This year, we are making a few changes to our approach to Home Learning.
Home Learning
Our focus will be on three key areas: Reading, Spelling and Mental Maths/Times Tables. These are important building blocks for confident and independent learning, and we want to work together with families to help children develop these skills.
Teachers will continue to support children with their learning in school. They will also use their Class Blogs to share activities and ideas that are suitable for each year group.
Reading at Home
We want all children to develop a love of reading and to enjoy reading regularly and widely.
Every child will have a Reading Record Book to keep a record of the books they have read and the pages they have completed. As children get older, we hope they will take increasing responsibility for choosing and talking about the books they read.
Children might also like to add a few thoughts about their reading, such as:
What happened in the story
What they thought about it
Words they found tricky
New or interesting words
A star rating
Older children are encouraged to complete a Book Review after reading a chapter book.
The Reading Record Book is simply a record of reading at home. It is not intended as a communication book. If you have a question for your child’s teacher, please contact the school by email. For children in Red and Orange classes (Year R and Year 1), Tapestry can also be used.
What Will Children Use?
Reading Record Books will include Phonics sounds or Spelling words that are appropriate for each year group. These provide children with something simple to practise at home.
We will also continue to use a range of familiar online resources:
Spelling Shed and Times Tables Rock Stars for older children
Little Wandle Phonics and Top Marks Maths for younger children
50 Challenges to Do Before You Leave Primary School
50 Challenges to try before you leave Primary School poster A3
Alongside regular Home Learning, children can choose from our 50 Challenges to Do Before You Leave Primary School.
These challenges are there to encourage children to try something new, follow their interests, have fun and make memories.
There is no expectation to complete all 50. Families can choose the challenges that interest them and enjoy doing them together.
During the year, teachers will also provide opportunities for Show and Tell, giving children the chance to share their interests, projects, achievements and experiences with their classmates.
These might be linked to one of the 50 Challenges, or simply something they have enjoyed doing at home.
Working Together
Our new approach has been shaped by feedback from our parent forums, pupil voice and teacher voice.
By focusing on the fundamentals of reading, spelling and mental maths, we hope to give children the skills they need to become confident and independent learners.
We also want Home Learning to be manageable for families and, most importantly, something that children can enjoy.
We look forward to seeing and hearing about all the wonderful things our children achieve throughout the year.