Homework

Homework is the perfect opportunity to build those home / school relationships that we value so much here at St Anne's.  However we don't agree with homework just for the sake of giving it.  Homework needs to have a purpose.

We believe that homework has the potential to raise standards by:

• Increasing the time given for re-enforcing basic skills
• Providing the opportunity to develop thinking skills and individuality
• Extending coverage of the National Curriculum
• Improving study skills
• Improving attitudes to learning
• Involving Parents in the learning process

Homework is set for children from Early Years through to Year Six

Our staff plan homework as an integral part of curriculum planning with clear links to class work. They know the importance of

• setting tasks matched to the abilities of pupils
• following up with children and parents when there are difficulties over the completion and return of homework
• ensuring that homework is marked or checked as appropriate.

Homework set may be to consolidate class work, to leave pupils to pursue their own lines of enquiry or practice a specific skill. The tasks may include factual or imaginative writing, reading, spelling, learning, revising, illustration, research, practical activities or even thinking. Some homework may be set and handed in via our virtual learning environment.

There are many ways in which you as parents / carers can help your child: encouraging and supporting, checking presentation, handwriting and spelling, testing what has been set to learn, listening to reading, asking about research or topic work, and encouraging a prompt return of work into school. These are all ways of helping and supporting your child to appreciate the importance of homework, and see homework as an extension to class work.

Of course, children work at different speeds and so doing homework can take longer for some than others. If there is a repeated problem over homework, we encourage parents / carers to get in touch with your child’s Class Teacher. Similarly, we shall get in touch with you if we feel there are frequent problems over homework which you could help us resolve.

We ask that you support us in seeing that homework is done conscientiously, in the best possible conditions and returned promptly to school.

Learning logs - KS2

Learning Logs

What is a learning log?

A learning log is a personal, reflective journal in which children can record their knowledge and understanding in whatever way they feel is most helpful.  Learning logs give pupils the opportunity to show in much greater detail what they have been learning in school for that day or in fact over the whole week.  Pupils can record their learning, their thoughts or their feelings. The log can also become a useful revision tool for pupils in Key Stage 2.

Why use learning logs?

learning logs  make homework more fun and  encourage children to extend and consolidate the learning that has taken place in school in a more creative and independent way.  Ofsted inspectors and schools already using learning logs have praised this approach to making homework more effective and enjoyable and enabling pupils to make maximum progress in their academic and social development.

What if they get it wrong?

If the task has a right or wrong answer, such as a mathematical problem, then it will be marked in the normal manner. Because many of the learning log tasks are personalised, there is no right or wrong way of approaching a task.  Each pupil has the freedom to express their understanding in any way they like – they may choose to draw a picture or a mind map or a piece of writing. We hope that this will lead to:

• Ownership and a sense of pride
• An inclusive approach to homework, catering for all needs and abilities
• Homework that is child directed rather than teacher directed
• Children being creative and imaginative, with no boundaries
• Children having the opportunity to return to a task and build upon their learning and understanding

If your child does not understand the task or has not grasped the learning objective, simply return the logbook to school with your comments and the teacher will explain the task and offer individual support and feedback.

What about other homework?

Although the learning log will replace worksheets, children will still be expected to read at home and complete tasks such as spelling investigations and times tables.

When will children complete their learning log?

The learning logbook will be sent home every Friday and will be returned no later than the following Wednesday to enable staff to mark the work and prepare the following week’s tasks.  Time will be set aside every Friday for pupils to share their learning logs with their friends and to contribute to the whole class discussion on learning logs.  Pupils who do not return their learning logbooks or do not complete it to an appropriate standard will be asked to complete the tasks at lunchtimes.

How long should children spend on the learning log?

Children can spend as long as they wish completing the learning logs. Some children may wish to add to it daily, others may prefer to complete it in one session.  Government guidelines suggest that years 3 and 4 should spend approximately 15–20 minutes per night and pupils in years 5 and 6 should spend approximately 30 minutes per night. Parents and staff may use the learning log to comment on the amount of time and effort that has gone into the task.

How can parents help?

Learning logs are intended to improve the partnership between school and home.  We need your support to make this venture a success.  Parents are encouraged to make comments in their child’s log, as you would in a reading record book or homework diary.  Children will be encouraged to record what they know and understand about a concept they have been taught in school. At home this means:

• Giving children time to talk about the task and explain what they understand
• Offering ideas about how they might present their work, but encouraging independence
• Ensuring there is time and space to work without distractions
• Supplying materials if your child wishes to have a creative approach to his/her learning journal

How can we find out more about learning logs?

.  If you wish to gain more information about learning logs and to see how other schools are using them very successfully, visit www.learninglogs.co.uk. Please get in touch with your child’s class teacher if you have any comments to make about your child’s learning log.  We welcome your feedback.

What do others say about learning logs?

“I love doing my learning log because it's fun to do. It's also a place where you can store all of your work and memorise it and look back at the work you have already done. I also like looking back at the funny mistakes that I have made” Hannah K
 

“They’re fun! You can decorate them as well as doing your homework. It helps you.” Maria

“Both my children really enjoy doing their homework and put a lot of time and effort into them each week. My children say that doing their learning logs is more of a fun activity as they can add flaps,draw pictures, use colours and just let their imagination go wild while they tell their teachers about things that they have learnt during the week. I think the learning logs are a wonderful way for the children to learn and they take pride in doing their homework. I am very pleased as a parent that I do not have to ask my children if they have homework or not because they cannot wait to get started on their learning logs”.

                                                         Parent.