The objective of homework is to assist and improve learning. Homework is a valuable tool in the learning proces offering teachers, parents and students the opportunity to be involved in and support the learning process outside of school.

However, we recognise the that families have very busy lives and not all homework can be completed by the younger pupils as they need parental support. If homework cannot be finished, please let the teacher know.

In Years 5 and 6, homework is expected to be completed by the pupils in preparation for the move to secondary school.

Outlined below please find the expectation per year group:

Nursery

• Nursery children take a sharing book home each Friday to share with their parents, who may comment on their book sharing experience. Parents are invited to change books with their child as often as they would like throughout the week, with nursery staff changing them on Fridays.
• Parents are also invited to send in ‘wow’ stickers to celebrate their child’s home learning and development at any time throughout the year. This may include celebrating learning to use a knife and fork, receiving a certificate for gymnastics, being polite or learning to count, for example.
• Approximately once per half term, parents are encouraged to engage in ‘home challenges’ with their child. To date, nursery children have spotted numbers in their environment, weighed their breakfast and toys and shared how they use technology at home and when they are out and about with their family.
• Learning journeys are sent home approximately once per half term. Parents can ask to take learning journeys home at any time.

Reception

• Parents and children are asked to share the two levelled reading books and non-levelled sharing book regularly for short periods of time (ideally 5 – 10 mins each night), comment in the reading diary and send back to school daily as they may read at different points in the week.
• Most other material we send is more in order for parents to support their child if they wish….ie “Sound Books” and weekly information about the phonics we teach each week is sent out in order to support classroom teaching. (There is no requirement to bring this back to school.)
• Initially name cards in cursive script and a copy of the correct formation are sent home to parents. (Again, there is no requirement to bring this back to school.)
• Information about the class challenges are sent home regularly to support learning in class – optional. This tends to be more discussion based rather than a “product”. Blank speech bubbles are provided, should the parent wish to comment on something the child has done at home.
• At Christmas and/or Easter, parents are asked the child to keep a simple “diary” of their holiday etc. which could be as simple as just a photo, leaflet or ticket of a significant event, and could prompt discussion when the child returns to class.
• Blank WOW notelets are provided for parents at any time to note any significant achievements noticed at home.
•  In Summer term, parents and children are asked to decorate a “ME” box and put in a collection of objects that are special to them. We ask them to bring them back to class to share them.
• For one weekend in the year, each child will take home the class toy and add to the diary as an account of their weekend which comes back to class. (A picture, photo or writing or anything suitable which will promote discussion and be shared in class.)

Year 1

• The aim for homework is to reinforce children’s learning.
• Homework also forms a key part of showing the children that what they are learning at school is relevant at home as well.
• Homework is usually given a one-week deadline and is expected to be completed but please see the teachers if this cannot be done.

Year 2

• In Year 2, a spelling ‘bookmark’ and writing task is given out. The spelling bookmark has five key words to learn as well as a spelling pattern/rule to practice.
• The aim of the writing task is to consolidate a skill learnt in class or to encourage further enjoyment of, and interest in, the current class topic.
• The aim is for homework tasks to be an enjoyable experience in which you can share in your child’s learning.

Year 3

• Literacy and mathematics homework is given out each week. This homework builds on the skills children have learnt in class.
• Homework should be done independently so that when teachers receive the work they can analyse misconceptions.
• Year 3 homework should take 20-30 mins.

Year 4

• Mathematics and literacy homework is given out every week, with the exception of the week before a holiday, when the children are given one piece of homework. This would usually be topic-related and creative.
• The mathematics homework consists of a series of questions that all children should tackle, then a few challenge ones for those feeling confident and one extra challenge added at the request of a few parents. The challenge questions are optional; however, we do encourage some children to have a go at them.
• The children also have a reading record, which is about to be changed, where the children will record what they have read and write one comment about a book every week. Also every half term they will be asked to write a book review.

Year 5

• Maths homework is given out on Thursday and due in on Tuesday.
• Topic Writing is given out on Thursday due in on Tuesday.
• Reading Records – children to do two activities and one RIC set of questions (Retrieve, Interpret & Comment).
• Spelling cards go out on Monday with a spelling quiz on Friday.

Year 6

• Children are expected to be responsible for completing and bringing in their homework.
• One piece of written English and one of maths is set each week, children always having at least three days to work on this before it is submitted or reviewed in class.
• Pupils are encouraged to read regularly and to write two substantial entries in their reading record each week. They also work at home practising their times tables and related skills for the weekly ‘Good Times’ challenge. Periodically, children are asked either to conduct research into an ongoing curriculum topic or to complete tasks that have been started in school.
• Reading Records – children to do two activities and one RIC set of questions (Retrieve, Interpret & Comment).
• Spelling cards go out on Monday with a spelling quiz on Friday.

Homework at Latchmere School