Author: Nicky Russell

This week, the whole school has the same Talk Time homework: I can talk about an activity I enjoy that doesn’t involve screen time.

As part of National Screen Free Week, we’ll be exploring how we can reduce screen time in school and want the children to continue this at home, too. Screens have become an integral part of entertainment and learning but we want the children to focus on having fun away from the screen, too.

You might:

• talk about what you do for fun that isn’t screen-based
• have a screen-free hour, day, week
• try a new activity that is away from the screen
• talk about why time away from screens is important

Next week, each class will share what they’ve discussed at home, hopefully offering lots of ideas for how to enjoy ourselves without the use of a screen.

(Incidentally, we’re not saying screen time is a bad thing – and in fact, we encourage your child to use Numbots and Times Tables Rock Stars. It’s all about finding a good balance – and not being on an electronic device too close to bedtime.)

This week, the whole school Talk Time homework is What is a drug?

This homework, which links to our Living and Learning statement, is a first step in children becoming aware of drugs. There are a few key points you may wish to talk about at home. Children need to be aware that some drugs are helpful, some are harmful, some are legal, some are illegal. Don’t forget to consider that even the legal or helpful ones can be harmful.

Below are some question prompts that could help shape your discussion…

• What is a good definition for a drug?
• What is a drug? What is not a drug?
• Are all drugs bad?
• Why might some people need to take medicines?
• Who can prescribe medicine?
• Who should administer medicine?
• What should you do if you find some medicine?
• Should you take medicine that isn’t yours?

Children should be prepared to discuss what they’ve talked about at home during our homework review next week.

The whole-school Talk Time homework this week is I know the key vocabulary from our Computing topic.

As we come to the end of our Computing topic, your child should have come across the following vocabulary:

Y1, 2

• algorithm – a sequence of instructions or a set of rules to get something done
• program – a collection of algorithms
• debug – to find and fix errors in algorithms
• computer – a type of machine that can follow instructions and do useful things
• password – a string of letters, numbers or symbols which give you access to something (eg a computer, a service like Numbots)
• personal information – information that can be used to identify you (eg age, school, address, password)
• appropriate – something that is suitable

Y3, 4

• program – a collection of algorithms
• repetition – to repeat the execution of certain instructions
• sequence – to arrange instructions in a particular order
• logical reasoning – helps us explain why something happens
• sprite – a 2d character in a computer game
• decomposition – the process of breaking down a task into smaller, more-manageable parts
• input – data sent to a computer system from a device (eg keyboard, mouse, microphone)
• output – data sent out of a computer system via a device (eg monitor, printer, speaker)
• digital footprint – information about a particular person that exists on the internet as a result of their online activity

Y5,6

• program – a collection of algorithms
• repetition – to repeat the execution of certain instructions
• sequence – to arrange instructions in a particular order
• selection – choosing to execute one set of instructions over another
• variable – something that is stored in a program and can be changed or used (eg a timer, a score, a number of lives left)
• logical reasoning – helps us explain why something happens
• simulation – modelling a real-world or imaginary situation
• search engine – program that searches for and identifies items on the internet using complex algorithms

Discuss these words together:

• Can your child explain to you what they mean?
• Can they use any of them in a sentence?
• Can they suggest how some of the words link together?
• Can they tell you about the learning in school which linked to a certain word?

Next week, each class will reflect on this topic vocabulary and what they have learnt this half term.