Homework

Homework

We know that parents are a child's first educator and their impact on a child's learning is unparalleled .

The partnership between home and school is essential. It is only by working together that we will effectively support children in achieving their potential. But at the same time we recognise that busy lifestyles (for both adults and children) mean that homework routines can cause concerns.

Expectations

In reception (YR), Y1 & Y2 we expect pupils to read to their adult at least 3 times per week and the adult to complete the reading records. Spellings are provided for pupils to learn. In addition, online games are available (see below).

In Y3 & Y4 we expect pupils to read to their adult at least 3 times per week and the adult to complete the reading record. Spellings are provided for pupils to learn. Pupils should complete 1+ Bedrock session at home (15 mins) and practice their times tables using TTRS. IXL is available to them and we recommend 15+ questions per week.

In Y5 & Y6 we expect pupils to read to their adult at least 3 times per week and the adult to complete the reading record. Spellings are provided for pupils to learn. Pupils should complete 1+ Bedrock session at home (15 mins) and 30+ IXL questions (between 5 to 15 minutes). ReadTheory is available to them.


Reading at home

Reading at home is essential. Both reading to children (and older children enjoy this too) and children reading out loud to an adult. Please encourage reading, model reading and ensure you complete the reading records school provides.


Spellings

Children will have spellings to learn as they progress through school. Starting with words that they are learning in phonics, moving onto common exception words and high frequency words as well as topic words. Help them practice them!


Learning about your topic

Your child will be learning about a topic, such as Biomes or Ancient Greece. Engage with them about their learning, talk to them and encourage further learning. We have a wonderful library in Rawmarsh and would encourage you to visit.


Online learning

At Thorogate School we use a number of different online platforms to support pupil learning.

Reception, Y1 & Y2

  • PhonicPlay - use the free resources.

  • Numbots - this is an online maths game that helps to improve your child’s recall and understanding of number bonds and addition and subtraction facts. Please look in your child's reading record or contact their teacher for their login. Please note that Numbot is available as an App on many devices from your App store. Important: please don’t allow siblings, friends or family to answer for them but do support your child if they’re stuck.

Little and often In order to get the best out of NumBots children should regularly play for short bursts so we would ask you to give them 5 minutes on Saturdays and 5 minutes on Sundays (or more!)

Game Types

1. Story Mode – the emphasis is on learning the ideas and concepts behind addition and subtraction so it features more diagrams, shapes and question styles.

2. Challenge Mode – the emphasis is more on speed of recall of key facts, like number bonds to 10, doubling small numbers or adding & taking away in your head.

  • TT Rock Stars (for Y2) - TT RockStars is an online maths game that helps pupils recall and understand their times tables. Please look in your child's reading record or contact their teacher for their login. Please note that TTRS is available as an App on many devices from your App store. Important: please don’t allow siblings, friends or family to answer for them but do support your child if they’re stuck. A parent user guide is available.


Y3, Y4, Y5 & Y6

  • For Y3 & Y4, TT Rock Stars - TT RockStars is an online maths game that helps pupils recall and understand their times tables. Please look in your child's reading record or contact their teacher for their login. Please note that TTRS is available as an App on many devices from your App store. Important: please don’t allow siblings, friends or family to answer for them but do support your child if they’re stuck. A parent user guide is available.

  • IXL Maths is used to give pupils exposure to a wide range of ways that questions can be presented to them and the opportunity to practise key skills. IXL Maths tracks the progress of pupils and systematically increases the challenge provided to pupils. It has proven to support pupil progress in maths. IXL is available as a APP for mobile devices (android and apple).

  • Bedrock is an online learning platform designed to develop vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. Vocabulary is recognised as a major indicator for academic success and at Thorogate School we have a real focus on ensuring all pupils have a rich and varied vocabulary which they use widely.

  • ReadTheory helps the pupils progress from information retrieval to be able to infer meaning in their reading comprehension.

  • Google Workspace is widely used across school, with Classroom being a platform for teachers to share work with pupils. We encourage the use of Chromebooks (and other digital devices) for this.