Primary Homework
Welcome to our primary homework page! Here you’ll find everything you need to know about our reading programmes, vocabulary building, poetry, spellings, recommended reading, and maths practice. Our approach is designed to support and challenge our students while encouraging independent learning at home.
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader is a computer programme that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading. At the start of each term, every pupil takes a Star Test to determine their current reading level. Based on this, they choose a book within their level band and have one week to read it.
Access details:
- Direct link for Harris Academy Chobham: Access Accelerated Reader
- Login (for Y2+): Username = first initial + first 4 letters of surname; Password = ABC (all in capitals)
- Quiz time: During the allocated library slot (check with your child’s class teacher).
Poetry
We believe poetry is “the rhythmical creation of beauty in words” (Edgar Allan Poe). Every term, students from Years 1 to 6 memorise a poem which then culminates in a poetry slam amongst their year group. This practice builds language skills, encourages critical thinking, and fosters emotional and intellectual growth.
Here are the poems for each year:
|
|
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
|
Y1 |
Sounds Poem |
5 Little Monkeys |
What Do You Do On A Nature Walk? |
|
Y2 |
Aliens from Planet Trouble |
The School Kids Rap |
Shampoo Sally |
|
Y3 |
Song of the Witches from Macbeth |
The Answer |
On the Ning Nang Nong |
|
Y4 |
I Opened a Book |
Gran, Can You Rap? |
The Sound Collector |
|
Y5 |
The Dragon Who Ate Our School |
Life Doesn’t Frighten Me At All |
Don’t |
|
Y6 |
The Dentist and the Crocodile |
Some Opposites |
People Need People |
Recommended reading lists
We encourage students to read widely to build stamina, fluency, and comprehension. Our recommended reading lists are tailored for each year group, including timeless classics and modern favourites that reflect our diverse community. Students are encouraged to read the texts, which are available to them in their classroom book corners, complete a book review and enter themselves into a raffle at the end of the year.
For further suggestions and reviews, please visit The Reader Teacher. Explore:
- Home tab: 100 recommended reads from Nursery to Year 6.
- Book match: Suggestions for fans of particular authors.
- Year group lists: Divided into read-alouds, reluctant readers, picture books, non-fiction, and poetry.
Spellings
From Year 1, students receive a spelling booklet each half term containing up to 15 words chosen to support their learning. These spellings are aligned with National Curriculum objectives and are integrated into handwriting lessons. Each week, children learn 10 new words plus review previous spellings. In Year 1, spellings follow the sounds children are learning in the RWI programme, with adjustments as needed.
Tips for home practice:
- Short, daily sessions are more effective than cramming.
- Familiarise yourselves with common spelling patterns.
- Create fun memory tricks or images.
- Divide longer words into syllables.
- Encourage your child to use the words in sentences or stories.
Number facts and times tables
Mastering number facts and times tables helps free up working memory so students can focus on problem solving rather than basic calculations.
Year-by-Year Focus:
Year 1:
- Counting within 100
- + and – between 0 and 20
- Halving and doubling within 20
- One more/one less, number bonds to 10 and 20
- Telling the time (to the hour and half past)
- Days of the week and months of the year
Year 2:
- Single-digit numbers from two-digit numbers (e.g. via partitioning)
- + and – multiples of 10
- 2, 5, and 10 times tables (with division facts)
- Telling and writing time to 5-minute increments
Year 3:
- Working with numbers up to 1000
- Formal column addition and subtraction
- Practice of 2, 5, 10 times tables and introduction to 4 and 8s
- 12-hour and 24-hour time formats; understanding seconds, minutes, and hours
Year 4:
- Numbers up to 10,000
- Continued practice with formal methods
- Times tables: 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, plus introduction of 3, 6, 9, and later 7
- Multiplying/dividing by 10, 100, and 1000
- Converting time and other measurements
Year 5:
- Numbers up to 1,000,000
- Introduction to negative numbers
- Mastery of times tables 2–12 (and division facts)
- Short multiplication and division methods
Year 6:
- All concepts should be firmly in place. Additional support will be provided if necessary.
Bedrock - Year 5 and Year 6 only
Bedrock Learning is our online literacy enhancement tool (for Years 5 and 6) that introduces a range of fiction and non-fiction texts. It focuses on expanding vocabulary and reinforcing language skills through interactive activities such as matching definitions, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence completion.
How you can help:
- Log in to Bedrock to monitor your child’s progress.
- Discuss new and challenging words together.
- Encourage regular practice and celebrate achievements.
Here is the direct link to: Access Bedrock Learning. If your child has lost their login or password, please contact primaryinfo@chobhamacademy.org.uk
At Harris Academy Chobham, we are dedicated to developing confident, independent learners who enjoy reading, exploring new words, and mastering essential maths skills. Thank you for supporting your child’s learning journey at home!
