Home Learning

Home Learning takes the form of weekly newsletters, where the teacher will inform parents of the learning that has taken place that week and what learning they would like the children to do at home.

This may be to consolidate something they have been doing that week or to prepare them for some learning that will begin next week. They may include tasks, activities, discussions, games and website links that are linked to current learning. They may be also used to prepare, consolidate or deepen learning.

Homework Policy

Rationale

At Yarborough Academy we recognise that our children work extremely hard during their time in school. We also recognise that children need leisure time, have their own interests and should be able to take part in after school activities and get a good night's sleep in order to develop fully.

It is with this in mind that there should be a balance of home learning with leisure and family time to fully benefit the child and not place onerous demands on the children and their parents.

Aims

• To encourage children to share and enjoy their learning with parents and carers;
• To encourage parents and carers to become involved with their child's learning;
• To improve the quality of the learning experience offered to pupils and to extend it beyond the classroom environment in a fun and enjoyable way;
• To reinforce learning that has been taught in school;
• To encourage creativity, imagination and fun in the tasks that are set;
• To encourage self-discipline and independent learning as the children take responsibility for their learning;
• To allow children's learning, enthusiasm and passion to flourish at home through talking about and involving people in their lives that are not linked to school.

Procedures

Weekly newsletters

Every Friday a newsletter will be uploaded onto Google Classroom and sent via ParentMail. This includes information about what the children have learnt that week, an Activity Menu and any important reminders.

 Teachers will go through the newsletter with the children on Friday of each week to ensure all children understand the tasks and activities and answer any questions the children may have.

 The purpose of communicating the learning during that week is so that parents are aware of their child's learning and it can provide a starting point for discussions about the week. Although this isn't 'set' homework, we feel that this is invaluable in extending children's learning; being able to explain and reflect upon their learning outside of the classroom environment. If any parents want their child to have more homework, it is here that can give ideas of any follow up and consolidation that you want to complete.

 The Activity Menu sets ideas for home learning tasks. They could be linked to a particular subject or maybe a creative, physical or practical task. Four will be set each week for the children to choose from – remember it is about extending their enjoyment, not a chore. If a teacher really wants the children to complete a particular task (for example, it will help them with upcoming work in class) then a ‘priority task’ icon will be used. This will more likely to be used further up the school and especially in Year 6. If there are any links to websites, videos, reading materials, worksheets etc. they will be uploaded onto Google Classroom.

 Activity Menu Headings

Get Reading	Get Writing	Get Spelling	Get Grammatical
Get Researching	Get Debating	Get Talking	Get Acting
Get Mathematical	Get Counting	Get Scientific	Get Inventing
Get Geographical	Get Historical	Get Religious	Get Computing
Get Speaking French	Get Cultural	Get Singing	Get Pretending
Get Designing	Get Artistic	Get Crafty	Get Creative
Get Physical	Get Fit	Get Playing	Get Dancing
Get Gardening	Get Cooking	Get Baking	Get Making
Get Helping	Get Prepared	Get Practicing	Get Imaginative
Get Mindful	Get Happy	Get Sharing	Get Together

 

The reminder section might be used for upcoming events, reading reminders, notices etc.

Tuesday’s Community Meeting will be dedicated to sharing the content uploaded by the children on Google Classroom as well as anything brought in by the children. Children are also welcomed to upload evidence of any other activities they do outside of school to share on Google Classroom. All these efforts will be celebrated with the whole class.

Reading

We encourage children to read daily and reading for pleasure is valued at all times. All children have a reading book to take home as well as access to online reading platforms. Reading tasks may also be set on the weekly newsletter. We encourage parents to support their children with reading by discussing the books and asking questions to ensure there is an understanding of their book as well as accurate reading.

Comprehension tasks may also be set to build the fluency of reading with understanding as well as to prepare the children for reading tests at their appropriate age.

Phonics

In Foundation Stage Two and Key Stage One, children will be given books to read which follow our Read Write Inc. scheme. Within the reading books, there will be lists of green and red words which will support the speed sound set that your child is currently working on, as well as specific story words which will challenge their phonic ability and develop their fluency and accuracy of reading.

Phonics tasks and games may also be set on Google Classroom. 

Spelling

In Key Stage Two, the majority of children follow the Read Write Inc. spelling scheme. When a unit of work is complete, the spelling rule and words learnt will be put onto Google Classroom by their spelling teacher, so that the children can continue to practice. Specific activities to consolidate their knowledge of the spelling rule may also be set. Research has shown that giving lists of spellings to memorise does not teach children how to spell. This is why we take the approach of learning and understanding the rules so that the children can apply their spelling knowledge across the curriculum and not just in a test.

Maths

Yarborough Academy subscribe to My Maths where all children can complete activities set by their teacher. These will be set on the newsletter, to consolidate the learning from that week. However, the children can complete as many activities as they want to build their maths fluency and confidence. Teachers monitor the children's accounts and set work in class accordingly to help children with any areas that need further work.

Practicing times tables is extremely important and having instant recall of all facts up to 12x12 by the end of year 4 is the expected standard. This instant recall helps children be successful in many other areas of mathematics. Class Rock Star sessions are held where timed paper versions are used. For home, children from Year 3 have access to the online Times Tables Rock Stars where children can compete with themselves and other children to answer times table questions as quickly as possible. Again, this is closely monitored by the teachers and targeted work for individuals within the studio can be set.

Own interest

The project based learning curriculum at Yarborough is designed to raise engagement in learning. Therefore the children are encouraged to engage in free choice homework activities when their lessons have inspired them to continue their learning at home. Also, we would welcome seeing children’s other interests and passions individual to them as well as clubs and groups they are involved in.

Websites

YA subscribed websites:

www.ttrockstars.com – Times Tables Rock Stars – children have own log in.

www.mymaths.co.uk – My Maths – children have own log in.

www.oxfordowl.co.uk – Reading – class log in.

www.duolingo.com  – French – children have own log in.

Inclusions

A large amount of home learning at Yarborough Academy is Technology based as this is a way of life for primary aged children. If any child does not have access to the Internet at home, then opportunities will be provided for children to complete the work during the school day. If this applies to anyone, please inform the Academy.

Children with Special Educational Needs who have Personalised Learning Plans may receive homework personal to them via their teacher or teaching assistant.

If children struggle with any tasks set, they are encouraged to tell the teacher who will find time to help them understand the task.

Children will not be punished for not completing Home Learning activities. They will be encouraged by school and we ask parents to also encourage their children. Effort will be celebrated and recognised in many different ways including within the class, displays, GLO stickers, GLO postcards home and GLO MO nominations.

 

Policy written: Summer 2021
Policy review: Summer 2022
Policy written by: Deputy Head Teacher
Signed:	Date: 20/07/2021

 

	Children were asked to create a model Y6 classroom in order to make a working burglar alarm for the Crime project