Why is homework important?

Homework may feel like an arduous task but it is really beneficial to your child and not just because if they've done it they don't have to worry about being told off. All homework set is linked to what we are learning about in class, something the children are struggling with, or an introduction to something we are about to look at in class. In any of these cases completing their homework with you will give them a great opportunity to practise and hone their skills as well as learn new ones from you. You will always be able to add a new dimension to their learning even if you are learning something new for the first time with your child.

Homework Club!

If you want to support your child with their homework but feel you could use some pointers or a helping hand then KS2 homework club is open every Thursday at 3:15 until 4.15pm. Everyone is welcome and Mr Cook will be willing to help explain your child's homework, give you some ideas of where to start or work with your child directly. KS2 children are able to come by themselves if you are unable to attend but it would be great if you could follow up that visit by asking your child to explain what they did.

Homework in Year 5 Owl Class

Homework will be given out every Thursday. Year 5 pupils will all receive literacy, numeracy, spellings/grammar and/or topic homework. Literacy and numeracy homework will be set by their group teacher to ensure that this is the appropriate challenge for each child. Homework has to be handed in on a Monday morning. It is important keep to this deadline as it will prepare them for homework expectations at secondary school. Sometimes homework can be difficult but we always encourage the children to ask for help and persevere when they get stuck - they can speak with myself or their group teacher on a Friday or attend homework club. If homework is not handed in on a Monday morning, a text will be sent home to the child's parents.

If your child's homework is lost or stolen please let me know and I'll get them a new copy. If you child is absent when homework is set I expect them to come and get the homework from me the following day.

Spellings

Spellings will all link to a given pattern from the curriculum. The pattern will be noted on the children's homework sheet so if you would like to set your child some extra spellings or some work linked to the spelling pattern you can use this as guide.

If you are finding it tricky to motivate your child to learn their spellings, why not try these ideas?

Fun ways to learn your spellings:

• Graffiti - choose one spelling you are having real difficulty with and write it out on a big piece of paper like a graffiti artist would. Use lots of colour and bold lines and patterns. Now hang it on your wall. Every time you see it it will remind you how to spell that tricky word.
• Post it's trail - Grab a pad of post it's and put one of your spellings on each one. Now stick your post its on the wall, and a route you take frequently in your house e.g. from your bedroom to the kitchen. Now every time you take that route choose 3 spellings post its to stop at - read them and spell them in your head.
• Race - write out a tricky spelling as many times as you can in a minute. Now try again can you beat your last score?
• Feely writing - fill a tray with flour, sand, rice (or anything similiar that your parents don't mind you using) and write your spellings out with your finger in whatever you have chosen. It is great fun and you can keep shaking the sand/rice back to cover the tray and repeat with a different spelling.
• Active spelling - Spell out a word using you finger in the air, now with your hand, now arm and now your whole body. Don't forget to jump up to dot the i's.

 Grammar:

Here are some useful things to be practising for your grammar:

• Using exciting verbs
• Use of connectives and conjunctions in sentences
• Use of adverbs to extend sentences
• Use of adjectives to add description to sentences
• Checking verbs are in the correct tense (past or present)
• Whether parts of sentences are 'clauses' or 'phrases'

If you have any queries or questions, please feel free to speak to me before or after school on the playground and I will be more than happy to help!