Dear Parents and Carers,

Following the start of term, we have had several requests for more information about Homework, Reading and Spellings. Our approach is definitely more ‘carrot’ than ‘stick’, and children are positively rewarded for the efforts they put into any work handed in.

Homework and Spellings:

Each half term (usually about 6 weeks long), children should bring home their homework books along with a homework sheet, detailing what they are expected to do. This is also posted on the school website in the ‘Classes – Year 3’ section.

We also set a half termly Maths /English (or both!) task, a weekly set of spelling words(posted on the website in the ‘Classes’ –  Year 3 Spellings and homework section of the website, and a half-termly Foundation subject task (could be Art / History / Geography / topical task).

The Maths and Spellings can be done in the homework book, evidence of which will be rewarded with house points at the end of each half term. Please ensure your child gives their book in on, or around the due date mentioned on the Homework task sheet.

The foundation task is usually a little more involved and may include producing a piece of art work, or making a model, writing a poster or creating a game – often something more practical / knowledge-based.

Spellings are reviewed in classwork and in English lessons, or during handwriting, and are not formally tested this year on a regular basis, but we aim to ensure children learn spelling rules, or words containing specific spelling patterns through literacy lessons and occasional spot tests of spelling pattern words and certain problematic spellings that are consistently spelt incorrectly.

Reading:

We expect children to read at least 3x per week with an adult (ideally every day at this age) outside school hours, and for that adult to record evidence of this in their child’s Reading Diary (Yellow / gold colour). At school, every child is listened to by an adult, reading aloud, at least once every week, usually more. Children have the following books to read: One levelled book, the level of which is chosen by their teacher, one free choice book (often from home but can be a school stock book), one school library book.

Children are responsible for changing their own books, which are then checked by their class teacher / TA, when they are listened to reading. If you feel your child’s levelled book is not the right level for them, please speak with us about this, either in person or via the Homelink Book.

Library

Children in Year 3 go to change their library book on a Tuesday. Please ensure their have their library books with them on this day.

Homelink Books

These books are for children to record what is happening in their class each week ahead (kind of a diary) and also for us and you to send messages to each other from time to time, especially if email / this website is not convenient / appropriate. In some classes, children also tally their house points in these books on each relevant day.

Headteacher’s Award / Beech’s Base

If children are lucky enough to win their class’s weekly Headteacher’s award, they are invited to attend a lunchtime Beech’s Base get-together, with other winners from across the school, on the following Tuesday lunchtime. They need to bring a pair of boots / wellies and a waterproof  / raincoat for the lunchtime, where they may sit round the campfire, possibly to have a treat with their dinner (weather dependent). This is weather / staffing dependent, and is not obligatory. Cancelled sessions are usually rearranged for another day.

Name Labels

As you will understand, the amount of time we spend re-uniting your children with their clothing / belongings when they become separated is much smaller when things are labelled with a name and class. Therefore, please ensure ALL your child’s belongings are named. Thank you.

Phew! Apologies for the lengthy email, and well done if you made it this far! Hopefully, this makes things clear. Please contact your child’s class teacher at the start or end of the day if you are unsure about any of the above.

Kind regards,

Mr Butler