Year 2 Homework

 

Homework reinforces what your child is learning in school. It also gives you a chance to become involved in the learning process. We really appreciate the additional support parents/carers give to the children and ultimately helps your child's progression.

 

Tips for good homework habits

• Do find a quiet place at home to use as a homework area. It needs a flat surface, a good light source and the right equipment eg pens, pencils, ruler, scissors, glue.
• Do be aware of modern teaching methods, eg in column addition or using a numberline.
• Do plan a homework timetable and agree on when your child will do their homework.
• Do allow your child to have something nutritional to eat before starting on homework.
• Do discuss any homework tasks with your child and how it connects with what they are studying at school.
• Do turn off the TV - but you could have music on if they find it helpful.

• Try Not To give your child the answer in order to get a task finished. Instead, explain how to look up information or find a word in a dictionary.
• Try Not To teach your child methods you used at school. It could confuse them.
• Try Not To let homework become a chore. Keep it fun and make it a special time that you both look forward to.

 

Information taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/primary_support/

 

 

 

Reading

Please encourage your children to read at home as much as possible - this can be their reading book that they have brought home from school, a library book, information book or even a comic.

Research has shown that the more 'reading miles' a child does, the more fluent and competent they become.

You can help your child by engaging in discussions about what they have read - ask them questions about it, or get them to re-tell what the events of the story. It is also important to encourage children to give their opinion about the text - did they enjoy it and why. This really helps to broaden children's vocabulary and improves their ability to debate and discuss their points of view.

 

Tips for helping your child to enjoy books:

• Encourage your child to pretend to 'read' a book before he or she can read words.
• Visit the library as often as possible - take out CDs and DVDs as well as books.
• Schedule a regular time for reading - perhaps when you get home from school or just before bed.
• Buy dual-language books if English isn’t your family’s first language - you can talk about books and stories, and develop a love for them, in any language.
• Look for books on topics that you know your child is interested in - maybe dragons, insects, cookery or a certain sport.
• Make sure that children’s books are easily accessible in different rooms around your house.

 

 

Spellings

Year 2 children will have a spelling test each Friday. Children will be given words to practise that are appropriate to their ability level (and in line with curriculum expectations) - then will be tested on them the following Friday. We give them 5 words to practise, but will then also test them on a couple of words that they wont have practised (but will contain the spelling rules learned that week) to really assess whether they can apply the spelling rules they have been working on.

 

Maths

From time to time children will be given worksheets to work on at home that support their learning in class.  They will relate to whatever topic or strategy they are working on and give them a chance to extend their learning and apply what they have practiced in class.

 

Tips for helping your child to enjoy maths:

• Point out the different shapes to be found around your home.
• Take your child shopping and talk about the quantities of anything you buy.
• Let your child handle money and work out how much things cost.
• Look together for numbers on street signs and car registration plates.

 

 

Topic

Over the academic year there will be a variety of topic-based activities that children will be asked to complete - these could be finding out facts, collecting information, using the internet or speaking to family and friends.  It may be an arts and crafts project or could involve collecting 'junk' to bring in to school for a construction activity.

Information about the homework will always be communicated to parents in advance, either by newsletter or text message.  But please feel free to speak to your child's teacher if you required any further information.