Monks Risborough CE Primary School
Home Learning
Our approach to home learning at Monks Risborough:
At Monks, we believe that home learning is an essential part of a child’s school life and forms a crucial link between home and school. Home learning is an extension of school and is used to support what happens in the classroom. We use a combination of ‘Learning Logs’ alongside online platforms such as Atom Learning (KS2), Oxford Owl and NumBots/Times Tables Rockstars to provide home learning which focuses on the rehearsal of key skills.
Home learning expectations:
What is a Learning Log?
At Monks, we use a different approach to home learning and out of school learning, called Learning Logs.
Learning Logs are a journal for children to record their knowledge and understanding about topics that they are covering in the classroom, in whatever way they feel is most helpful. Children may use pictures, writing, photographs, labelled diagrams, pop up pictures, fold away flaps, to present their work.
Learning Logs:
- Enable children to extend and consolidate their learning in the classroom outside of school
- Encourage children to be creative and independent.
- Encourage children to be actively engaged in their own learning and take a pride in their work.
- Are child-directed, rather than teacher-directed and so give children ‘ownership
- Are Inclusive’ and cater for all abilities and learning styles.
- Help to develop a partnership between home and school.
- Can be a useful revision tool for children and assessment tool for teachers.
As Learning Logs are personalised there is no right or wrong way to approach a task.
How do Learning Logs work at Monks?
Once a half term, the children will be given set tasks which will be based around a key question, title or a learning objective that they should achieve. The activity will usually be relevant to their current class topic or a particular theme that will be covered during the term in class. It will be set over a two week time period, giving children plenty of time to dive into their learning. No Atom learning will be set during this time for Year 3, 4 and 5. Frequent reading and TTRS/NumBots is still expected to be completed.
The logs focus in developing children’s creativity, independence and a love for learning. Each log is a unique record of the child’s thinking and learning.
At the end of each half term, time is built into the class timetable for children to peer review their work and discuss the different approaches that have been carried out in completing the tasks. Learning logs have a high profile in school and we regularly celebrate children’s good work and effort.
Useful home learning links: