Homework

Why do Homework?

Homework is an important part of a child’s education and can add much to a child’s development and attainment. Homework includes a range of activities set by teachers and supported by parents to improve children’s learning. Homework at Donisthorpe focuses specifically on developing and improving key skills in reading and maths. We believe that homework should be enjoyable and manageable for all concerned and that if it becomes a chore/burden/source of conflict it ceases to be a constructive aspect of teaching and learning.

Homework at Donisthorpe Primary School

ENGLISH
Reading
Fluent reading and good comprehension skills have a key role to play in children’s learning across all areas of the curriculum. Fluency in reading is achieved through practice. Therefore, it is important that the children read outside of school at least 5 times a week.

Spelling and Phonics
In EYFS and Year 1 children will bring home phonics sounds and high frequency words to practise at home.

Spellings for each year group will be sent home from the start of Year 2. Children are expected to learn these at home.  Teachers will assess spelling through daily application in their writing across all their work. In Year 2 and Key Stage 2 all children have access to Spelling Shed that they can use at home to practice spelling. There is an online game that can be used on a laptop, tablet and mobile devices.

MATHS
Times Tables and Related Facts Knowledge
Children need to be able to recall all the Times Tables up to 12 X 12 by the age of 9. When it comes to Times Tables speed and accuracy are important.  The more facts a child remembers, the easier it is for them to complete harder calculations.

Speed recall is achieved through practice. This includes understanding the links between multiplication and division including, related facts. E.g. 7 x 8 = 56; 56 ÷ 8 = 7; 560 ÷ 7 = 80; 70 x 80 = 5600
In Key Stage 2 all children have a Times Table Rock Star account that they can log into at home to practice all times tables.  Times Table Rock Stars is a fun and challenging programme designed to help children master the Times Tables.
Research shows that daily practice is the best strategy for children to learn these important number facts. Short bursts of daily practice are much more effective than spending longer amounts of time once a week.

Optional Home Activities

100 things to do before you leave Donisthorpe Primary School
We have created a list of 100 activities that encourage children to try things out, to get a taste of the world around them, to see and do things that they wouldn’t normally do, or go to places they wouldn’t normally go. These things are important because education is about much more than qualifications: it’s also about developing your character and well being. We develop our character from taking on challenges and pursuing our interests, by doing things that are worth doing even when they are difficult and which may not give us an immediate reward.

There is no expectation that children should complete all the activities; they can do as little or as much as they like.At the end of each term, children will be invited to share in class what they have done by talking, showing models, photographs or drawings.

Remember, have fun and stay safe. If it’s hard, keep going, if it’s easy, make it harder!

Parent Homework Evening- 100 Things To Do- EYFS to Y6
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Parent Homework Evening- EYFS and Year 1
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Parent Homework Evening- Spelling Shed Y2 to Y6/Times Table Rock Stars Y3 to Y6
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