At Hillside Infant School we define ‘home learning’ to mean any learning or activities which children are asked to do outside lesson time without the guidance of teachers. It is completed with the support of parents/carers and is an opportunity for adults, other than teachers, to become active partners in supporting learning. Home learning activities are an important part of the home/school partnership and all children are expected to take part in a variety of home learning tasks. We believe that home learning should be enjoyable and manageable for all concerned and that if it becomes a chore/burden/source of conflict it ceases to be a constructive aspect of teaching and learning.

Home Learning

Home learning is shared each Friday with all year groups on Class Dojo.  Any sheets linked to the home learning will be sent home in books bags on a Friday. 

Developing good reading habits

At Hillside we believe reading is a fundamental basis of home learning.  It is important for parents/carers and children to develop positive reading habits from an early age, with regular opportunities for reading and sharing of books together. Our home learning timetable outlines our recommended reading time for each year group. This reading time includes sharing a picture book together, reading to an adult as well as an adult reading to a child.  In each child's reading record book in a reading book mark which informs parents of their child's next step as well as knowing which tricky/common exception words to learn.  Each book mark is linked to the reading book band a child is working on. 

An example of a Pink and Green book mark:

Phonics home learning

Each week children in Nursery, Reception ,Year 1 and Year 2 receive phonics home learning.  In Reception, Year 1 and 2 this is sent home in their phonics folder.  In addition children practise reading and spelling words from the tricky and common exception word list in their reading record. They will also practise topic related words which are on the home learning sheet. 

If you require help with the phonics sounds please click the link below:

Maths home learning

Each week children in Year 1 and Year 2 receive maths home learning.  This is to embed learning that has taken place in school. 

If you require help understanding how to use a maths resource lick the link below.

Project homework

Project homework is set in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Children are given a ‘menu’ of activities to choose from connected with their termly topic. Children are expected to complete two activities of their choice over a term. It is designed that the activities allow children to further their knowledge and skills around the termly topic, as well as showcase individual skills and expertise. Activities range from writing tasks, art and design, cooking and even visiting places of interest connected with the termly topic.

Talk homework

Each week all year groups are set 'talk homework'.  This homework encourages children and their families to talk around a key area of learning.  At Hillside we believe developing excellent communication and language skills is vital and supports a child in all areas of their learning. 

Home Learning help

Discovery Espresso

Espresso enhances learning outside of the classroom with fun and interactive activities, such as video quizzes with embedded questions.  Each child has their own login.  

https://www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/resources/primary/espresso/

The School Run

Worksheets, activities and learning games for EYFS, KS1 and KS2, including English, maths and science advice for parents and SATs past papers.

https://www.theschoolrun.com/ 

BBC Bitesize

Use BBC Bitesize to help with your homework, revision and learning from KS1 to GCSE. Find free videos, step-by-step guides, activities and quizzes.

www.bbc.co.uk › bitesize

Topmarks

Searchable site of thousands of quality teaching resources, interactive resources, homework, exam and revision help.

www.topmarks.co.uk

Alphablocks

A Cbeebies tv programme for children using phonics. Lots of online games on the Cbeebies website and app. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/alphablocks

Phonics play

A site packed with interactive phonics games to help children.

www.phonicsplay.co.uk

Roy the reading zebra

A website with fun reading games to help your child develop their phonic knowledge and reading skills

https://www.roythezebra.com/english-ks1/reading-games/

Click on the link below to read our homework policy.