Homework

Homework expectations in Year 4

Reading:

The expectation is that children read every night for about 30 minutes.  This is to develop their reading stamina and concentration.  It is really important that children read age-appropriate books as well as the books they might choose to read for pleasure.  We ask that an adult hears the child read aloud for at least 3 of those times a week and signs the child's reading log.

Please read the following information from researchers in the United States who were looking at the impact of parents reading with, and listening to, their child at home:

“…Here’s how many words kids would have heard by the time they were 5 years old:     

      Never read to, 4,662 words;                                                                                                             1–2 times per week, 63,570 words;                                                                             

     3–5 times per week, 169,520 words;                                                                            

     daily, 296,660 words; and five books a day, 1,483,300 words.”

Vocabulary:

Each week, on a Friday, your child will receive approximately 5 words, which are synonyms for each other, or are based around a similar theme.  We ask that you have a conversation about the words and discuss how some of the words can be used in slightly different contexts and how they have subtle differences from each other.

Spelling:

Each week, your child will be given one or two spelling rules or patterns, or they could be commonly misspelled words from their writing.  The expectation at the moment is that at home the children discuss these rules and think of words that might follow that pattern or rule.

If you wish your child may write these words in a sentence. We will be focusing on these spelling rules in class and reviewing their retention of these rules and patterns throughout the year.

Maths: 

Every Monday, the children will be given a new area of maths to practise. The expectation is that they practise their maths facts every day for 10 minutes.  Little and often is more beneficial than once for an hour.  We are trying to help the children be able to recall these facts quickly, and it definitely helps with the work they do in school.  The learning can be verbal, in which case, please sign the home learning book to show that this has taken place.