At Wheelock we believe homework can consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding. We believe that homework should be enjoyable and manageable for all concerned and that if it becomes a burden or source of conflict it ceases to be a constructive aspect of teaching and learning.
We value the support of parents/carers and we believe that this policy will be successful if there is a strong partnership between home and school which is reflected in the Home-School Agreement. We recognise that all children need leisure time and hope that our policy reflects a balance so children can extend and consolidate their learning with parental support while still allowing ‘down time.’
We believe that the non-negotiable core skills that will now become a focus for the children’s home learning are essential skills for later life.
Below are a list of links that could be used to support your child with their learning at home. This includes support for times tables, number bonds, spellings (Spelling Shed), T T Rock Stars and many more.
Times tables
Times Tables Rock Stars (ttrockstars.com)
Hit the Button - Quick fire maths practise for 6-11 year olds (topmarks.co.uk)
Times tables games - Timestables.co.uk
Jack Hartmann offers lots of fun, creative ways to learn your times tables, spellings and counting in different steps. We love to watch his videos in the classroom.
Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel - YouTube
Reading
Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel - YouTube
Learning to Read, Literacy, Key Stage 1 - Interactive Whiteboard Resources - Topmarks
KS1 English - England - BBC Bitesize
Learning to Read for Kids | Learn to Read with Phonics | Free Trial – Reading Eggs
Spellings
Spelling Shed - Spelling Shed - The Science of Spelling
Spelling and Grammar, English Games for 7-11 Years - Topmarks
Reception
Reading: Children are expected to read at least 5 times a week and a parent/guardian comment should be recorded in their yellow reading diary each time they read. We will aim to change your child’s reading books twice a week with them. However, children really do benefit from re-reading the same books, it helps to build their confidence, fluency and word recognition. Reading diaries will be checked by the team at least once a week, when the children read to an adult in school.
Phonics: The new sounds and tricky words that we learn in Phonics each week, will be put into your child’s green Phonics book. Try to practise reading and writing these sounds at home.
Weekend Challenges: Every Friday we will set a weekend challenge on Tapestry with a different focus. It may be linked to some of our learning from that week or the topic we are doing. The challenge can be completed any time that week. Post pictures and/or videos on Tapestry when your child completes the challenge.
Year 1 and 2
The children in Woodland birds will be given their homework every Friday and it is to be handed in on the following Thursday.
Maths - A maths worksheet will be set each week. Year 2’s are also expected to spend time on TT Rock stars. We have a class leader board for TT Rock Stars where your child can earn class rewards. We also run a Year 2 TT Rock Stars competition each week.
Literacy - A SPAG worksheet will be given each week
Reading - Children are expected to read daily and record this in their reading record book. Some children also have access to Reading Eggs. This can be logged in their planner for their weekly reading. Planners are collected each week and checked by an adult when reading 1:1 with them.
Spelling - Children will have a weekly set of spellings which includes some year appropriate common exception words and phase appropriate ‘phonics sound of the week’ words. The children are also expected to complete 10 games on Spelling Shed each week. Spellings will then be tested in school the following week. A copy of the ones they need to practise can be found in their spelling book.
Year 3 and 4
The children in Waterbirds will be given their homework every Friday and it is to be handed in on the following Wednesday.
Maths - A maths worksheet will be set each week. The children are also expected to spend time on TT Rock stars. We have a class leader board for TT Rock Stars where your child can earn class rewards. We also run a Waterbirds TT Rock Stars competition each week.
Literacy - A SPAG worksheet will be given each week
Reading - Children are expected to read at least 4 times a week and record this in their planner. Some children also have access to Reading Eggs. This can be logged in their planner for their weekly reading. It would be great to see a mixture of parent/guardian comments as well as children’s comments in their planner. Planners are collected each week and checked by the teacher.
Spelling - Children will have a weekly set of spellings and this can be accessed through Spelling Shed. The children are expected to complete 10 games on Spelling Shed each week. You have been sent your child's login via email. Spellings will then be tested in school on a Friday. The children are also tested on their step tricky words throughout the year. A copy of the ones they need to practise can be found in their planner or homework book.
Year 5 and 6
The children in Birds of Prey will be given their homework every Thursday or Friday and it is to be handed in on the following Thursday.
Maths - A maths worksheet will be set each week per year group. The children are also expected to spend time on TT Rock stars.
Literacy - A SPAG worksheet will be given each week based on an area we have covered in school.
Reading - Children are expected to read at least 3 times a week and record this in their planner. Some children also have access to Reading Eggs. This can be logged in their planner for their weekly reading. It would be great to see a mixture of parent/guardian comments as well as children’s comments in their planner. Planners are collected each week and checked by the teacher.
Spelling - Children will have a weekly set of spellings and this can be accessed through Spelling Shed. The children are expected to complete 10 games on Spelling Shed each week. You have been sent your child's login via email. Spellings will then be tested in school on a Thursday. The children are also tested on their step tricky words throughout the year. A copy of the ones they need to practise can be found in their planner or homework book.