Home Learning

Compulsory home study focuses primarily on literacy and numeracy. If discussed and agreed to as part of an Individual Education Plan or mid-year conference goal there may also be some form of additional practice of a specific skill or competency e.g. handwriting, motor skill, etc.

In Years 5-8, compulsory home study also supports a few key learning projects that, based on historical information, require most students to work on at home to complete to the high standards expected.

On rare occasions a teacher may add a specific current event story or happening, otherwise no other home learning is set.

The focus of home learning in these early years is to support literacy and numeracy. Reading should be happening every night. Writing, basic spelling words and number facts also should be worked on four evenings a week. Regular, small amounts usually work better than less frequent, longer sessions. Other important skills to be developed include: talking and sharing, practising motor skills like throwing, catching and skipping, and time for imaginative play both independently and with others.

• Reading – at least 10 minutes, 4 evenings
• Spelling – Basic Word Lists to support reading, writing and spelling 5 minutes, 4 evenings
• Basic Facts – 5 minutes, 4 evenings

• Reading – at least 15 minutes, 4 evenings
• Spelling – Basic Word Lists (as required) 5 minutes, 4 evenings
• Basic Facts – 5 minutes, 4 evenings
• Improving confidence and presentation skills when speaking in public. During Term 3, practice for the annual Y5&6 Inter-House Poetry Recital Competition will be required.

• Reading – at least 20-30 minutes, 4 evenings
• Spelling – Basic Word Lists (if required) 5 minutes, 4 evenings
• Maths – 1 hour per week
• Fortnightly tasks: 2 hours of work over the 10 days

Compulsory home study focuses primarily on literacy and numeracy. If discussed and agreed to as part of an Individual Education Plan or mid-year conference goal there may also be some form of additional practice of a specific skill or competency e.g. handwriting, motor skill, etc.

In Years 5-8, compulsory home study also supports a few key learning projects that, based on historical information, require most students to work on at home to complete to the high standards expected.

On rare occasions a teacher may add a specific current event story or happening, otherwise no other home learning is set.

1. The children choose to participate
2. Children can choose what challenges they undertake, including a ‘design your own challenge’ option within each broad category
3. A wide range of engaging and enjoyable challenges that involve the family and child
4. It acknowledges many of the out-of-school learning activities children are involved in
5. It reflects the unique character of our school and community
6. It is learning through doing and then reflecting on the process
7. It is fun, challenging, success-orientated and includes all the competencies, intelligences and learning to learn skills
8. Children were involved in developing the programme, and will continue to be involved in its on-going review
9. This learning is acknowledged, shared and celebrated

• All children who successfully complete the minimum number of Challenges will be presented with a badge to sew onto their House sunhat and a certificate acknowledging their achievement
• Each class has a ‘sharing time’ where children who have completed a specific Challenge, have up to 5 minutes to share what they have done
• Completed Challenges are not ‘marked’ by the teacher. There is no grading given. The teacher may talk with a child about what they learnt from the Challenge, what went well, what they might do differently next time, etc. The completed Challenge is signed off in the child’s Steeple Rock Challenge booklet, and in the teacher’s record book.
• If they wish, children may have a clear file, journal or book to keep or display the ‘evidence’ of their Challenge. This evidence may include photographs, written feedback from parents or a personal log of a challenge. This will be for each child to decide.
• There are no consequences for children who choose not to participate in the programme.

Children who choose to participate in the Steeple Rock Challenge programme know that they will be challenged academically, physically and in the arts. They may be required to give to others and the community, or work as part of a team. Self-responsibility and time management skills will come into play, as will perseverance, pride and a positive attitude.
The New Zealand Curriculum’s Vision for all young people is that they will be confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners. The Steeple Rock Challenge programme sits comfortably beside our school learning programme as a pathway towards achieving this vision.

As a parent it is often hard to know what you can do to help your child at home in a way that can support their learning at school.

The Ministry of Education has produced these very informative pamphlets to give you an idea of the range of things you can do at home.

These pamphlets are general guidelines, as all children progress at differing rates and can learn best in a variety of ways.

Have a look at the pamphlets at the year levels above and below where your child is to help with ideas and activities that suit you.

We believe in developing a strong partnership between home and school. Your child’s teacher is always happy to help and if you have any queries, just mention to your child’s teacher that you would like to make a time to talk.