HOME LEARNING

Learning happens everywhere and in every moment. Therefore we believe that there is a learning opportunity in every part of the day. Our home learning package is flexible to the needs of families and the interests of children.

Continuing Learning outside School

At Long Lane we believe whole heartedly in creating a learning experience in every situation, keeping learning fun and full of experience. We believe that learning in this way ensures that children have a deeper understanding and make creative and innovative links with real life. However, we also believe that learning opportunities are not just academic, or about knowledge. They are also about social, moral and life skill choices.

At Long Lane we prioritise Reading as a home learning task and have simple set expectations, along with a number of bespoke support provided and options for those who wish to (or are able to) do more with their children at home.

Theories and Opinions about Homework

What do studies say?

Many studies show that homework is only effective if all parties are able to support and also if children are willing and active part of this process. Many studies reflect negative outcomes for homework based on children feeling that they are being pushed and with some viewing that a healthy work life balance does not involve working outside school. Some studies share benefits to homework when tasks are short, repetitive and part of a daily practice to support overlearning. For older children, support to develop self-study skills and independence such as; setting up a work space, good work habits and timetabling, is particularly helpful.

What does the school think?

At Long Lane we advocate that there needs to be some daily practice to support the learning in school that is directly related to the curriculum. This can either be in the form of overlearning (after a concept has been taught) or pre-learning (immersion before). There is not sufficient practice time in school for some skills such as; quick recall of number facts, proficiency in reading fluency and spelling practice. These are necessary skills to make deeper learning and linked concepts easier to understand and tackle.

If children become absorbed in the learning and topics they approach in class then they will naturally want to extend this into research and presenting at home (this is the optional offer). We want to offer solutions to learning at home through experience and also for children and families to be ale to do this with little disruption to their family life as we know this can be busy and is precious and productive time for development also.

What do our parents say?

We have asked our parents (through questionnaires) to tell us what they feel homework should look like and we had the following feedback (which we have reflected in our Home Learning package):

something that can be done easily with little preparation
something my child enjoys
something that can be done independently or with an adult (or older sibling)
something that combines IT as well as written task
a workbook or clearly laid out structure so that we can see what comes next
time to get it done
something that can be done anywhere - in the car, on the go or at home

The Benefits of Pre-Learning

The Benefits of Overlearning

School Homework offer Package

At Long Lane we have a homework package that is divided into 3 parts. We first have an expectation – this is what we expect all children to do at home to ensure that they have cemented the learning in school. This is daily or frequent practice. We also offer optional homework in the form of educational apps, topic research and work around our 'topic overviews' to enhance any learning through our foundation subjects. This is to provide opportunities for pursuing hobbies, talents and interests. Our Bespoke aspect is provided to support individual pupils from time to time and will be discussed with parents at 1:1 meetings with the teacher. This is likely to be based on areas of the curriculum they may need more practice with or need to 'keep up' or 'catch up' with.

Expectation

Reading practise and Fluency – daily if possible but at least 4 times per week (short bursts appropriate to age group or level). Reading advice for parents.

Spelling practice – a few times per week (short bursts of 15 minutes).

Number Facts Fluency – Practise number facts (you will work your way through a card), number bonds, times tables, advanced division.

Bespoke

Please ask your teacher if there is anything that your child particularly needs to practise.

Teachers may provide individual packs for children or guided support – you will be contacted or through parents evening appointments.

Optional

Please make use of the apps on the Pupil Zone Page. Please see example of IXL below which can support children with aspects of maths and English. All children (from Year 2 – Year 6) have a log in for this app. This was purchased as a tool in response to our parent and pupil survey.

Also see TTRS – a times tables app (all children from Year 2 – Year 6 have a login). There are many other educational apps that are free or the school buys into. You can get access to these through the Pupil Zone page. Children should have logins for these in their weekly planners.

Each class has a topic overview that you can use to work with your child in researching, doing some pre-learning or revisiting to support and enhance the curriculum topics they are learning at school.

You can find out more age specific information on each of our class pages;

Please visit the Pupil Zone for additional links to child friendly learning websites.

IXL Learning App

IXL is a learning platform that supports children from EYFS to Y13. Children can access a huge range of maths and english tasks (related to the curriculum and class work) and the great thing is that children don't see the year group, only a letter as the levels go up.

Some great benefits to why we have chosen IXL to support children's learning outside school:

A diagnostic tool supports teacher and parent to know exactly where a child is with their learning so that it can intuitively set work that is appropriate for the child (raising self-esteem).
Staff can set bespoke work for children that matches what they need to practise.
Children can explore in a different zone if they want to look at other aspects of learning.
There is a voice activated function so that children who find reading challenging can still access every part of it.
If children find some questions challenging the system will give them some support and advice, if they are not finding it at all challenging, it will move them on to the next level/concept.
Children can do this independently or with an adult.
Children can access this on any device so it can be done on the go.
There are a number of game aspects and competitive slants to the learning which will motivate your child.
There are explanations to how we teach certain elements that could be useful to parents.

Times Tables Rockstars

Times Tables Rockstars is a competitive way of practising times tables. It can be individualised for each child so that they are working within their own learning potential. They can play with children around the world, staff can set work or they can work through on their own. Children love this app as it presents as a game where they can earn points and collect virtual prizes. We use this in school also so there is a direct link with school work. It also works on lots of different devices so can be used on the go.

Useful Resources

Our Home Learning Policy

Pupil Zone Page