Challenging Creative English Homework in Year 4

[sdana]

Hi, we only moved to the UK in the summer so I am wondering whether our homework situation is typical and how you view it.

My daughter is at a state primary school in Year 4. It seems to me that particularly in English, she is getting very random homework assignments, often not entirely related to what is being learnt that week. It seems the homework tasks are selected with an intention of encouraging creativity, and the teacher is under pressure to give original and interesting assignments.

E.g. recently the homework has revolved a lot around figures of speech such as personification and similes. On one hand, I appreciate the intention to challenge the children to come up with original creative writing. However, it is frustrating to me that such tasks do not have straightforward solutions, my daughter gets stuck while I cannot easily help her, and I don't know if this is a very effective way of learning.

I would prefer if the homework served to review more straightforward topics and if not, there were guidelines for the parents to assist (while we don't even have a textbook). Is this a typical situation, and what do you think about it? Thanks!

Our homework is very different. It is all on an app and they have to type the answers in. I don't love it. It's fairly easy to complete, in that there are a set number of questions, although some are really hard there can be tech issues with it.

I quite like the idea of creative writing tasks. It presumably follows on from what they have learnt in class? It can be helpful for the teacher to see if they don't get it. Can you encourage your DD to give it a go and do her best? It doesn't sound like it is a right/wrong kind of homework but I may have misunderstood.

Hi, @BendingSpoons, interesting to read there can be such differences in approach! You're right - there are advantages to our school's homework style as well. I'll try not to overanalyze it and focus on the positives :)

English in general is a subject, particularly at secondary level, without straightforward right/wrong solutions. I think it's a positive thing that your daughter is being taught critical thinking skills at such a young age! So many kids come to secondary school thinking they are brilliant at English but it's only because all they've been taught is the absolute basics and never once had to think for themselves.

Similes and personification are a part of learning English and definitely will have been covered in school by Year 4. The problem is English isn’t straightforward and children are assessed on creativity and understanding of literary devices as well as SPaG. It’s not like maths where there is a right or wrong answer; being creative is a part of the subject.