Home Learning
The sessions are designed to help parents and carers support their child to complete the set homework and improve general literacy and numeracy skills.
Key Stage 3
English
Mathematics
Homework is set on a Friday for all students, and should be returned on the following Friday. They are given the whole week so that everyone can complete the work, even if they are away for the weekend or have clubs on week nights etc. Home work is very important as it gives students the chance to do some mathematics outside of the classroom. It can reinforce concepts and topics taught in school and can also give them the chance to work together with parents, grandparents, carers etc. Some tasks can ignite a interest in certain areas of maths or show how maths can be used in the real world.
The homework could be a set of questions on a topic learnt in class. Alternately, it could be an open question in which a simple answer can be found or a much more robust answer that requires logic and elements of mathematical proof. Such a question could be: How many different ways can you make 15 pence using everyday coins. It is surprising how many different ways there are. Students who are very good at maths will find a method to find all the answers that exhaust all possibilities, but all can find some answers.
There are lots and lots of websites that can help with mathematics, any google search will find thousands of good maths sites. Two of the best are BBC Bitesize and also YouTube. YouTube is excellent as many videos will have a teacher explaining what to do and students enjoy using YouTube anyway.
Useful Website Links:
Health & Wellbeing Home Learning
Aimed mainly at adults. This is a difficult time for all of us so processing your own thoughts and feelings as well as practising self-care, can greatly benefit the children you care for. The video suggests ways of dealing with anxiety, difficult feelings and thoughts related to the current pandemic.
Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdbbtgf05Ek
Suitable for children or adults. A useful tool to help with anxiety by focusing on breathing techniques. Taking deep breaths in sync with the shapes can help to reduce anxiety and to stay in the here and now.
This is a really useful blog with suggestions on how families can cope with the lockdown and how together they can create a new normal.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thecontentedchild/photos/a.529308263884213/1649272421887786/?type=3&theater
A useful visual displaying ways in which we can practise self-care and good mental health. This is from The contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy, Facebook group. A useful group to join.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thecontentedchild/photos/a.529308263884213/1646163878865307/?type=3&theater
Ten mental health tips for parents and carers. This is from The contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy, Facebook group, Facebook group.
Website: https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
A useful article about how you can talk to your children about Covid 19.
Other learning activities you could do with your child
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Start an end of isolation bucket list. Ideas can be written on paper and placed in a jar or container. Every time your child asks to do something they cannot do, add it to the jar. Once lockdown is over, pick one thing at a time to do as a family.
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Include exercise in your daily routine
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Fill a jar with water and some glitter. When your child feels anxious or angry, ask them to shake the jar and focus the glitter settle.
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Ask your child to lie down on their back. Place a stuffed toy or something light on their chest. The idea being that your child watches the object go up and down as they inhale and exhale.
