At East Wichel Primary School, we believe that home learning should consolidate the learning in school, as well as aid long-term retention. Our aim is to instil knowledge that we want all pupils to remember years after leaving primary school and we believe this can only be achieved through daily practice.
With this in mind, we have introduced the use of knowledge organisers, in line with what the latest research which informs us about memory and how we learn best. The system will have a significant impact in the depth of the children’s learning.
What is a Knowledge Organiser?
This is a sheet with key knowledge the pupils will need to help them in their learning each term. The content is limited to the most important information they need to know in all areas of the curriculum. The Knowledge organisers must be stuck into their practice books for easy access.
What is the Practice Book?
This book is a special space for pupils to practise what they have learnt from their knowledge organisers each day. Pupils may decide how they wish to present the information in their book, but we would like them to be as clear and creative as they can, to help them remember their learning. Some examples of recording may include: a mind-map or spidergram, recording on a table, mnemonics, highlighting some key points, drawing and labelling or just simply writing on the lines. It is important that practice books are brought into school every day as the children will be given regular short low stakes quizzes based on the information in the knowledge organisers.
How to use the Practice book
In order to get the best out of the knowledge organisers, it is important for your child to follow the steps below:
•Sit at a table in a quiet space.
•Take the time to choose a section in your knowledge organiser that you feel you should practice. Read the section carefully and really think about what it means.
•Say the information out loud to yourself a few times.
•Close your eyes and visualise the information. Say it out loud again. What can you remember?
•Check this by reading the information again. Repeat as many times as you need to.
•Turn over your knowledge organiser and then complete a written self-quiz in your practice book (please date). Write/draw all the things you can remember and/or do some examples. Be creative use colours pictures where appropriate – it will help you to remember the important bits.
•Now check your work CAREFULLY by comparing it to the information in the knowledge organiser. Check that it is factually correct; that spellings are correct and that it is your best work. Make any corrections.
Early Years Knowledge Organisers
The knowledge organisers for Early Years clearly states the different activities you could do with your child at home everyday. They also contain some images in order to give your child a visual understanding of the learning.
The children are expected to spend at least 10 minutes doing this everyday. As the children are still very young, they will need an adult to sit with them to complete their home-learning. Any section of the knowledge organiser may be chosen to practise each day.
Key Stage 1 Knowledge Organisers
The knowledge organisers in Key stage 1 contain the key learning in the different areas of the curriculum. They also contain some images in order to give your child a visual understanding of the learning. The children are expected to spend at least 10 minutes doing this everyday. Any section of the knowledge organiser may be chosen to practise each day . In order to promote independent learning, we would encourage the children to complete their home-learning with minimal adult support. Having said this, if your child is stuck or needs some help, please support them as needed.
Key Stage 2 Knowledge Organisers
The knowledge organisers in Key stage 2 contain the key learning in the different areas of the curriculum. The children are expected to spend at least 10 minutes doing this everyday. A timetable of the subject to practise each day is stuck in front of the children’s practice books. It is important that your child follows this timetable to ensure they are practising their learning in the different areas of the curriculum. In order to promote ownership and independent learning, children in key stage 2 must complete their home-learning independently.