Palm Class Homework
15 Jan 2026
Maths Homework
Aim: to keep on top of your ‘key facts’ and build automaticity with recall to allow fluency within maths learning.
Knowing the key facts ‘off by heart’ frees up space in your working memory when solving more complex calculations, allowing you to reason and problem solve with greater depth.
You can practise these facts in many creative ways such as throwing dice and calculating totals and noticing sets of numbers when out and about (e.g. there are 3 lambs in the field and 2 sheep, there are 5 altogether). You can also use ‘numbots’ to play games to help you build fluency with these facts and number sense.
https://play.numbots.com/#/account/school-login/29539 This can be played on laptops and tablets. (If you need your login, please speak to your child’s class teacher who can provide this.)
Times tables
In addition to the above ‘key facts’ for addition and subtraction the children in KS2 will begin to learn their ‘key facts’ for multiplication and division. Children in KS2 can log onto TTRS (times table rock stars) to help build their fluency. Year 3 children will have been exposed to multiplication learning in which they can apply to times tables however they won’t formally begin practising times tables as recall facts until year 4.
https://play.ttrockstars.com/auth/school/student/29539 (click here to play or google TTRS)
Year 4s suggested times tables practise:
- 10 mins 3x per week = TTRS sound check mode (in preparation for the Y4 Statutory Multiplication Table Check)
- 10mins 5x per week = TTRS Garage or Arena mode
TTRS helps children develop fluency in recalling multiplication and division facts up to 12 x 12. There are different modes which support developing these facts in different ways.
The different modes explained…
- ‘Sound check mode’ mirrors the Multiplication Table Check (MTC) which you need to complete at the end of year 4
- Garage mode is set to automatic training mode (for all year groups in KS2). This means the questions adjust as they improve their knowledge and fluency. This is played against the clock individually.
- Arena mode has the same settings as Garage mode but you are in a ‘competition’ with other children who are logged on at the same time.
Your individual TTRS login will be provided to you at the start of the year. Your TTRS login is the same as your numbots login (If you need your login, please speak to your child’s class teacher who can provide this.)
English Homework
Reading:
Children will closely read a 'practise reading book' in school over a two-week period, after this time the book will come home for a couple of nights to celebrate and enjoy. It is important to return the books when asked so that the next group of children can begin reading (this day will be recorded in your child’s reading record).
At home please encourage your young reader to read a wide range of books, magazines, comics and graphic novels as part of their 'Reading for Pleasure' practice. Read for pleasure
every day at home for at least
25-30 minutes. This can be reading to yourself, being read to, or sharing your reading with someone else. Reading for pleasure means that YOU choose what you want to read. This could be a magazine, a recipe, a newspaper, a fiction or a non-fiction book - it's your choice! If you want to try something different, why not choose a book from the school library to read at home. Make a record in your reading record book of what you are enjoying everytime you have a read!
Phonics/Spelling & Vocabulary:
We are currently updating our spelling homework expectations. However, a great way to support your child with spelling is to just be interested in words. Start to spot patterns and notice the phonics and spelling rules within words. Look at the etymology of words and make connections.
Look out for our 'word of the week' to explore on our weekly update each week.
For further exploration, you might like to research the origin of words and their meaning. Here are some great etymology dictionaries:
https://kids.wordsmyth.net/ is great for finding the meaning of words and words that derive from other words.
https://www.etymonline.com/ ia a great etymology website, but you may need help from an adult with this one.