05 May 2017
This week, children have two pieces of homework. Both should be completed by Thursday 11 May. They should also learn the 11x table and, more importantly by Year 5, the related key facts discussed during parents evening (eg if 5 x 11 = 55 then we know that 55 divided by 11 = 5. We also know that 50 x 11 = 550 because it is 10x bigger).
The first piece is Talk Time: I know when it’s appropriate to apologise and why it’s important to do so.
Children should discuss this with an adult and be ready to share this with the class.
The second piece is Practice Makes Perfect: I can show what I know about 2D shapes.
Children should complete the sheet they have been given which recaps learning from previous years. We will be building on, and consolidating, this learning next week in our maths lessons.
28 April 2017
This week, children have two pieces of homework. Both pieces are due Thursday 04 May.
The first is Creative: I can prove that grammar is important.
We focus on grammar and punctuation a lot in school but I would like children to prove that grammar is important in real life. After all, correct grammar/punctuation can be the difference between eating with your Grandma and eating your Grandma.
- Let’s eat, Grandma.
- Let’s eat Grandma.
The second piece is Talk Time: I can justify my own opinion (Should we spend so much money on exploring space?)
Last year, NASA’s budget was increased by $18.5 billion. This is obviously a substantial amount of money. Through discussions with an adult, I would like children to decide if they think that spending this much is acceptable. We’ll have a debate as part of our homework review next week.
24 March 2017
This week, children have two pieces of homework.
The first is Practice Makes Perfect: Score 1000 points on Mathletics.
The second is Talk Time: I can justify my own opinion. Children should discuss the following question with someone at home… ‘Would you rather explore the ocean or space?’
We will then debate this in class next week.
Also, children should practise all times tables up to 12×12 in preparation for an end of term times table check on Friday 31 March 2017.
17 March 2017
This week, children have two pieces of homework. Both are due on Thursday 23 March.
The first piece is Practice Makes Perfect: To be able to add parenthesis.
Children have been given a worksheet that will help them practise this writing skill. We’ll be using this skill in our independent writing next week during our English lessons.
The second piece is Talk Time: I can see things from other people’s point of view.
Children should discuss next week’s SEAL statement with someone at home. We will reflect on these discussions as part of our homework review next week.
10 March 2017
This week, children have two pieces of homework. Both are due on Thursday 16 March 2017.
The first is creative: I can show why teamwork is important.
Recently, we’ve been working hard to improve how well we work together as a team. I’m sure you’ll agree that the ability to work as part of a team is a crucial life skill. For this piece, children should show why they think teamwork is important. They could do this in many ways but must bear in mind that this is a creative piece of homework. It is also worth noting that ‘creative‘ does not necessarily mean ‘colourful’ or ‘eye-catching’. Similarly, it is worth remembering that we expect children to spend a minimum of 30-40 minutes on creative homework – children shouldn’t spend much longer, either.
The second piece this week is practice makes perfect: To be able to punctuate speech.
Some children have been given a worksheet to help them practise this skill further. Others have been set the following task…
I would like you to write the opening of a narrative in which speech is used to give hints about a character’s personality. Also, make sure you create a clear mood and atmosphere.
The narrative can be about anything you like but must be aimed at young adults who enjoy reading fantasy books.
You must write for no longer than 10 lines.
Impress me!
03 March 2017
As usual, children have been given two pieces of homework to complete this week. Both pieces are due on Thursday 09 March 2017.
Talk Time: I can discuss how adults I know work cooperatively.
Working cooperatively with others is not only our SEAL sentence this week but it is also a crucial life skill. Children should discuss with an adult how working cooperatively looks in everyday life as an adult. A useful conversation to have would be to highlight how working cooperatively in the classroom is similar to working cooperatively in the workplace.
Practice Makes Perfect: I can show what I’ve learnt about decimals.
We’ve just finished learning on decimals so this is a chance for children to show how much they’ve learnt. They should complete the questions they have been given independently – only asking for help if it is needed. There are 10 marks available so children should aim to complete the questions in roughly 8 minutes.
24 February 2017
This week, as usual, we have two pieces of homework.
First, we have a Creative homework: I can show what entertainment means to me.
This really is an open-ended task. Children should think about what they do for entertainment and then present this in a creative fashion. They should focus on more than one type of entertainment. A good example would be a comparison between two different types of entertainment.
Second, we have a Practice Makes Perfect homework: I can correct spelling mistakes.
Children have been given a worksheet to complete. The worksheet requires them to spot a series of spelling mistakes and then correct them. If children are not sure of the correct spelling, they should find out. This could be done in many ways: dictionary, internet or simply by asking someone.
As always, if you have any difficulties please contact me early in the week.
03 February 2017
For all children in Year 1 – Year 6, the homework this week is talk time and is due in on Wednesday 08 February. There are two options:
- I can prepare a speech (School Council elections).
- I know the importance of voting.
It’s time for children to consider if they would like to stand for election for our new School Council. With two representatives from each class, chosen democratically by their peers, all children at Moortown Primary are encouraged to take an active part in pupil voice.
Elections for our new school council will take place on Thursday 09 February with our polling station and ballot boxes at the ready. Candidates will have the opportunity to give their election speech to their class on Wednesday 08 February.
What makes a good school councillor has been considered by our current school council.
‘Communicating with others – pupils and adults.’
‘Having good listening skills to know what to contribute in meetings.’
‘Thinking of realistic ideas to suggest in meetings.’
‘Considering other people’s views even if you don’t agree with them.’
Hints for your speech include:
- What skills and abilities would a good school councillor have?
- What are you particularly good at that would help you to be a great school councillor?
- What do you think would make the school better?
- What could you do that people would really like?
- Think of things that are realistic, maybe that you could do yourself, rather than having to ask other people to do
Thank you to our current school councillors for all their ideas and contributions over the last year. We hope you have enjoyed this role and responsibility. You’re welcome to stand again for election.
Good luck to all children who decide to stand in the elections.
If you choose not to stand in the election then you should consider the importance of voting.
03 February 2017
This week, in addition to our whole school homework, we have a Creative homework:
I can see fractions all around me.
In class, we’ve discussed several ways in which children may choose to respond. Here are a few examples:
- Show how fractions are used to serve out food at the dinner table
- Show fractions of amounts (of food, money etc)
- Explain how adults may use fractions in their jobs
- Explain/show how we use fractions in everyday life
- Create a short video about one aspect of the fractions work we’ve been doing in school and how it is relevant to real life.
27 January 2017
Our Practice Makes Perfect homework takes us back to Mathletics. Go on live Mathlitics throughout the week and gain 1000 points. There’ll be a prize across Y5 and Y6 for the person who earns the greatest number of points, too.
