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.”
Which parent are you?
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. Then, the children have a choice as to whether they write 3 sentences using 3 of the words, or a paragraph including all of the words used in the correct context.
Spelling:
Each week, on a Friday, the children will be given up to 10 spellings to learn. The spellings might follow a particular pattern or rule, or they could be commonly misspelled words from their writing. The spellings are usually given to the children in sentences where the meaning of the word is explicit, and the expectation is that children write an interesting sentences using the word correctly and in context.
The following Thursday, the spelling books are handed in to be marked. If any of the child's spelling words are spelled incorrectly, the expectation is that the child re-write the sentence with the word spelt correctly.
I have asked that the children write the words out a couple of times each evening so that they become familiar with the way the word is written.
The best way to support your child to understand what the words mean is to talk about them, but I know this isn't always possible in a busy household. Therefore, it would be really useful if your child has access to a good quality dictionary and thesaurus so they can look up the words and find the definition. It is not beneficial for them to search the word online, or "Ask Alexa". The children have access to good quality dictionaries and thesauruses at school and the adults in the class can help them if they are finding any words difficult to put into meaningful sentences.
Maths:
Every Wednesday, 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.
At the beginning of each term, children will receive a topic project homework. The children will have approximately six topic-based activities to choose from which will help them engage and give background knowledge for that term's learning. Everyone must choose one homework to complete however should your child wish to choose more than one, then that should be encouraged. It is important to support your child to set aside a little time each week to help them plan and complete this homework. This is helping set skills for life with time management and self-motivation. The children will be given an opportunity in class to present their homework.