Michael Primary School Homework Policy
Introduction
At Michael Primary School we believe that homework is an essential part of a child’s school life and forms a crucial link between home and school. Homework is an extension of school and is used to support what happens in the classroom. We use ‘Learning Logs’ across the school.
Children demonstrate their understanding of key learning questions from the week’s work in class. These recording methods will vary in form, according to the focus in class, the age of the child and individual needs. The number of learning questions and amount of time children spend completing their learning logs will also vary.
All pupils have the right to equal access to home learning opportunities, as they do in all areas of education. We do, however, recognise that each home situation is different and that parental involvement will vary as a result. Learning Logs are designed to be completed by children independently and at the level of the individual learner. It is important that parents get as involved as they can, discussing the learning questions and reading regularly with their children.
Aims
Through the use of Learning Logs at Michael Primary School we aim:
• To provide opportunities for direct involvement of parents in their child’s learning
• To make children aware that school is not the only place for learning
• To increase children’s motivation to learn
• To develop independence and self sufficiency in working and learning
• To support and follow up learning which has taken place in the classroom
• To provide children with opportunities to practice and develop skills
• To assist children’s progress and enhance achievement and attainment
• To prepare pupils for the next stage of their education (eg. High School)
Learning Logs
Learning Logs are provided for each child each year. These are A4 sized, plain page books with a plastic cover which we hope will last the entire school year.
Children are given key learning objectives from their week’s work in class. The task is for children to represent their understanding of the learning objective in any way they can. This allows children to be as creative as they like and enables the use of thinking skills taught in school, e.g. mind maps. Children can add items to their logs, e.g. newspaper clippings, pictures from magazines, information from the internet, etc.
In order to support children in exploring the learning question, teachers provide examples of ways to represent their learning and refer to the key learning questions frequently during the week. Other children’s learning logs may be shown to classes as good examples. Children are given two weeks to complete their learning log. Learning log expectations will be clear and manageable in the allotted time. Learning logs have comment sheets which
should be completed by the child, their parent and a teacher with quality responses to help us determine future activities and learning.
Reading
Children take home reading books from Reception through to year 6. Children are encouraged to share a book with parents every day from Reception to year 6. It is important that reading is a fun experience and that children develop a love of books. The reading record book is a way for parents to keep teachers informed of their children’s progress in reading at home. We see this as an essential route for communication between home and school.
Fluent readers will need to spend time reading silently and independently but they will also need to read aloud to adults regularly, in order to develop fluency, expression and understanding. It is important for parents to share the whole reading experience with children, discussing books, asking questions about what has been read and sometimes reading the book to the child, modeling fluent reading, prior to, or following the child’s attempt. In Key stage 2 children may be given follow up work to do. This will take the form of a range of comprehension questions to help the children understand what they have read and think a little bit deeper about the book.
Guidance on Time and Activities for each Year Group
Foundation Stage (Reception)
Learning log - This will be set fortnightly, and will take the form of a creative, fun activity which should take about 30 minutes to complete. This will be based on the childrenʼs life experiences and key events throughout the year.
Reading - We recommend that the children share a book with an adult on a daily basis.
Year 1 and Year 2 -
Learning Log - These will be set fortnightly and should take up to an hour to complete. These will be age appropriate, and based on their learning in school or key events throughout the year.
Reading - We continue to recommend that the children share a book with an adult on a daily basis, also discussing individual reading targets provided by the teacher.
Years 3, 4 and 5
Learning Log - These will be set fortnightly and should take an hour to complete, although the children will have the option to spend longer on their learning log. These will be age appropriate, and based on their learning in school, either as consolidation or as preparation for future work.
Reading - We continue to recommend that the children share a book or other text type e.g. newspaper etc with an adult on a daily basis, also discussing individual reading targets provided by the teacher.
Year 6 -
In preparation for Year 7, there may also be some short homework activities set between Learning Logs. The children will be encouraged to manage their time effectively, and create their own timetable for completing their expected tasks.
Learning Log - These will be set fortnightly and should take an hour to complete, although the children will have the option to spend longer on their learning log. These will be age appropriate to year 6, and based on their learning in school, as consolidation or revision alongside some activities preparing them for future learning.
Other academic learning activities - Mental maths books will be sent home weekly for the children to complete in order to prepare them for Year 7 expectations.
Reading - We continue to recommend that the children share a book or other text type e.g. newspaper etc with an adult on a daily basis, also discussing individual reading targets provided by the teacher.
Holiday Homework
The staff and parents have agreed that holiday homework will not be set. However, should parents wish to complete projects etc with their children, these will be welcomed into school and valued by the class teacher. These may take the form of reflecting on the previous termʼs work, or a holiday diary etc.
Pupils with Special Educational Needs
Children will be set learning log questions in accordance with recommendations for their year group, unless otherwise stated in their Individual Education Plan. Additional homework to support children with a particular difficulty may also be provided, where appropriate or at parental request.
More Able Pupils and Rapid Learners
Pupils who are very able or have particular talents may be given additional tasks designed to challenge and extend them, meeting their individual needs.
Use of Computers
Many children have access to computers at home and may wish to use ICT to support them in preparing or presenting their homework. Children will not get additional credit for using ICT to support homework but we encourage its use where available. Computers and internet access is available through homework club.
Communication
This policy has been created in conjunction with the parents of Michael School, and as a result we consider the expectations to be fair for each age group across the school. However, it is important that Learning Logs do not become onerous or take up too much of a childʼs leisure time. If parents find that children are spending far more than the recommended times or that tasks are too difficult for their child/ren, they must discuss this with the class teacher as quickly as possible. Equally, teachers would value hearing about activities done at home which were greatly enjoyed or helped children to achieve success.
Homework club
We understand that there may be times where parents and children require resources to help them complete homework activities. In order to help with this, we run a homework club from 12.30 to 1.00pm every Tuesday lunchtime. This is open to all children in school. There will be access to a teacher, and also computers, internet and creative resources available.
Reviewed: October 2015
Next Review: October 2017