Learning Logs

What is a learning log?

Your child will have a learning log of their own to bring home. (Nursery to Year 6). At the start of each half term your child will bring home their learning log. Inside of the learning log you can expect to see:

A topic web detailing the themes and topics to be covered in all areas of the curriculum in your year group for this half term
The power math’s unit sheets (Reception to year 6) to help you explore key mathematical vocabulary with your child
Ideas for home learning to complete to compliment your child’s next half terms learning in school.
Spellings to learn for the half term (year 2 (where year 2 children are studying RWI they will move to spelling on completion of RWI program)– year 6)

Reading is a crucial part of education. We would encourage you to read with your child daily starting with sharing stories in nursery to exploring new genres in year 6.

Learning logs are:

A personal reflective journal for the child to record their knowledge and understanding in whichever way they feel is most helpful. Children can use pictures, writing, diagrams, labels, bullet points, mind maps or whatever style they wish to choose to present their work, teachers will give ideas for what children may like to do for each half term
An opportunity for children to extend and consolidate their learning in the classroom.
Encouraging children to be creative and independent
Encouraging children to be actively engaged in their own learning and take a pride in their work
Encouraging a partnership between home and school
Personalised, there is no right or wrong way to approach a task
‘Inclusive’ and cater for all abilities and learning styles
Child-directed, rather than teacher-directed and so give children ‘ownership’
Allowing our children to be as creative and imaginative as they like
Are a useful revision tool
An assessment tool for teachers

There will be time during school for children to review and discuss their work. Learning logs will be given a high profile in school and we will regularly celebrate children’s good work and effort, there will be a reward for work well presented / completed. So for example there will be a 1 merit task which will be linked to finding a fact perhaps, a 5 merit task for more challenge and a ten merit task for those children and families who really want to go the extra mile.

The only stipulation is that the children must fit all the information they would like to present on no more than six pages of the journal each half term, that’s approximately a page per week. They can of course creatively extend the page by attaching flaps and folded sections. They can also return work via email if required by the teacher or perhaps may build or make something if the task directs – e.g. making an Egyptian tomb. You do not need to wait until the end of the ½ term to share good learning if you have visited St Albans museum in week 2 to find out more about the Roman topic the child can bring in what they have done so far and then return home with the learning log to learn more things and complete more activities. More information about key dates each half term will be set by your child's class teacher.

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. The log also supports adults at home in knowing more about the child’s learning in school it also supports adults in understanding more about their child’s level of learning. Learning Logs are used by many Primary schools and we believe they will help the children to become more independent in their learning and be a useful skill for secondary school. If you would like to see examples of how other schools have used them, please look at the following website: http://learninglogs.co.uk

At Albury and Puller Primary schools the work learning logs are being sent home at the start of each half term. This means the children will not have covered these areas of the curriculum yet and this gives the parents and children time to learn new things together. It also provides opportunity for parents and children to undertake some ‘pre – learning’ of vocabulary and topics helping children to access all areas of the school curriculum.

PARENTAL PARTICIPATION

The role of the parent is crucial to the success of home learning. All Parents are encouraged to take an active interest in their child’s progress and provide homework support. It is important that families discuss homework and decide on a routine that best suits their circumstances.

Ways to help your child

Choose a good time for the home learning to be undertaken
Find a quiet and calm time and decide where the home learning will be done, for example if your child works best outside use this to support the learning
Be positive, encouraging and sensitive to the child’s mood
Read to and with a younger child; discuss the pictures and story; encourage your child to pick out familiar letters and words
Encourage your child to read a variety of books and materials, fiction and non-fiction
Remind and help your child to memorise their spellings and tables and us the apps provided by the school to help them with this
Check the presentation, handwriting and spelling of pieces of work; encourage your child to ‘try out’ the spelling of words and encourage the use of a dictionary
Answer queries and provide resources and opportunities for the extension of knowledge

Parents are asked to encourage and to help but NOT to do the work for them.