The Federation of Newent Schools Glebe and Picklenash

Homework Guidance Policy

EYFS

Children will receive sound cards for Red Words (non-decodable) to help them practice at home and it is important that this is done frequently, in conjunction with their reading book. Children will start off bringing home picture books without words. These are important as they allow children to tell the story in their own words, using their knowledge of other stories to help them. It is important to question them about the story and to explain what is happening and why. When ready children will move onto Read Write Inc Home Reader books which are linked to the sounds being taught in school. Each book has an opportunity to practice the sounds taught so far (Speed Sounds), recap the Green (decodable) and Red (non-decodable) words before reading the story. The books also have questions for you to ask your child about the story to check their comprehension.

Key Stage 1

Maths:

All children have a login for Numbots and TT Rockstars to practice on a tablet or laptop at home. There will also be regular ‘Numbots Together’ sessions in place of ‘Reading Together’ on a Thursday morning.

Rainbow Maths tested in school on a Monday and then sent home. This can then be practiced throughout the week before being tested the following Monday.

Spellings:

A list of spellings are issued every Monday for the children to practice at home – They are then tested on a Friday. The spellings are linked to what is being taught in phonics that week as well as including some of the Y1 or Y2 Common Exception words. They follow the format of ‘Look, Say, Cover, Write and Check.’

Reading:

Reading is a valuable activity that impacts on all aspects of the curriculum and as such we encourage children to read as much as possible. Children are asked to read a minimum of three times a week at home for around 15 minutes and this is recorded in their reading record. Children’s reading records are checked weekly by the class teachers. Children will be sent home books that are closely matched to what is being taught in phonics that week but are also encouraged to take home a variety of books to challenge their reading skills.

Topic:

Each full term classes will set topic homework ideas that will be shown on the Parent Overview. Children can present their work in any way that they wish and (this may be written, art work, sculpture etc etc.) at the end of term, work will be displayed in the school hall for all children and parents to celebrate.

Key Stage 2

Reading:

Reading is a valuable activity that impacts on all aspects of the curriculum and as such we encourage children to read as much as possible. Children are asked to read a minimum of three times a week at home for around 15 minutes and this is recorded in their reading record. Children’s reading records are checked weekly by the class teachers.

Spelling:

A list of spellings are issued every Friday for the children to practice at home. They should follow the format of: look, say, cover, write, check. 6 of these words will be from a spelling pattern or rule and 4 of the words will be taken from either the year 3 and 4 word list or the year 5 and 6 word list, depending on their year group. They are then tested on these words the following Friday.

Maths:

Children will be given a Rainbow Maths sheet to practise at home. These will link directly to the child’s target and will be tested daily in class. When they score over 45 correctly in 3 minutes, every day for a week, they will move up to the next level. Children will also be given a core four sheet every Friday which is due in the following Friday. This will include an addition, subtraction, division and multiplication question for children to practise these skills.

Topic:

Each full term classes will set topic homework ideas that will be shown on the Parent Overview. Children can present their work in any way that they wish and (this may be written, art work, sculpture etc etc.) at the end of term, work will be displayed in the school hall for all children and parents to celebrate.

Reading is a valuable activity that impacts on all aspects of the curriculum and as such we encourage children to read as much as possible. Children are asked to read a minimum of three times a week at home for around 15 minutes. Children’s reading records are checked weekly by the class teachers.

Reception

Children will receive sound cards to help them practice at home.

Key Stage 1

Children will be given a maths game to play at home to help practice core mathematical skills – These will be issued on a Wednesday and are to be returned the following Wednesday.

A list of spellings are issued every Friday for the children to practice at home – They are then tested on the following Friday.

Each full term classes will set a topic homework that will take the form of an investigation. Children are to work with parents to investigate the area and present their findings in a format of their choosing (this may be written, art work, sculpture etc etc.) At the end of term work will be displayed in the school hall for all children and parents to celebrate.

Key Stage 2

Children will be given a timestable/set of number facts to learn and practice at home. These will link directly to the child’s target and will be tested daily in class. Once a child shows that they are secure in their understanding they will move to the next target.

A list of spellings are issued every Friday for the children to practice at home – They are then tested on the following Friday.

Each full term classes will set a topic homework that will take the form of an investigation. Children are to work with parents to investigate the area and present their findings in a format of their choosing (this may be written, art work, sculpture etc etc.) At the end of term work will be displayed in the school hall for all children and parents to celebrate.

Maths Help at Home

This website is simple but effective. Great for practising times tables and helping develop fluency. It also has plenty of scope for practising number bonds which are crucial for number fluency in Y1/2 https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button

This website is brilliant – so many cool games you won’t even realise you are doing maths. Something for all ages – Give it a go! https://www.mathplayground.com/games.html

Another brilliant website with simple but effective games to help support your child’s maths learning. These range from simple matching activities for Reception up to far more complex concepts: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/kids-activities/fun-maths-games-and-activities/

Sometimes we can find it difficult to support our own children at home and feel a little out of our depth with maths. Unless you are doing it day in day out it is easy to forget how things are done. Here is a useful website to help adults understand some of the key concepts: http:/www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/maths

Spelling Help at Home

As well as the usual ‘look, read, cover, write and check’ method that is promoted in schools to help learn spellings here are some other ways that might encourage children to practice their spellings: