Home Learning
Each week your child will bring a homework activity in their Learning Log (red book) to share with you. Although it may be tempting to say, ‘Be quiet and get on with your homework!’ unfortunately this is not the best approach. These homework activities have been specifically designed for parents and children to share together, rather than being a solitary task that the child might just as well be doing in class – or on the moon!
If homework is to really help your child and move their learning forwards, then it needs to fulfil two purposes:
· The activity should involve your child in explaining something they have learned at school.
· The activity should be one which draws upon the situation and resources of the home. This means that school-learning is transferred to real-life contexts.
If parents and children share an activity in which the child has to explain what they have learned at school, the child is more likely to strengthen their learning. If these concepts or skills are transferred to real-life contexts rather than remaining as classroom activities, their learning will be enhanced still further.
Homework is the one time in the week when your child can share with you some of his/her school learning. Allowing them to ‘be-the-teacher’ and to explain an activity or process to you is one of the best ways of helping them. Please participate in their homework by following this simple advice:
· Do pick a good time to do the homework – preferably not in a rush, and NOT when their favourite programme is on.
· Allow the child to take the lead, only assisting if they are unsure or need something reading or explaining.
· Read the notes on the sheet – often the activity is focused on one specific skill and other skills are less important, and do not need to be fussed over!
· Be positive! Praise is much more effective as a stimulus to hard work and good learning than criticism.
Thank you for helping your child. You and we will see the benefits!