Live Learning
Live Learning at Harpenden Academy
At Harpenden Academy we operate Live Learning Sessions termly. Live learning sessions are specific periods during the school day where parents are invited to come in the class and learn with the children in the classroom. The Live Learning can be on any curriculum area not just the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. This is an opportunity for parents to see how the children learn so that they can use this information to further support their child’s learning at home. Each class puts the date of the Live Learning in their weekly newsletter and parents need to sign up to attend. This is not a chance for parents to observe but is more an opportunity for parents to learn with the children and be part of the lesson.
Parents are then asked to give the school feedback which is circulated in whole school newsletters and on the website.
Live Learning Feedback
Thank you to all of you who turn up to our Live Learning sessions each term - the attendance was amazing. Your feedback, which is attached helps us to keep improving our school but also demonstrates how much you enjoy and value the sessions. Watch out for dates for the Live Learning sessions in your child's Class Newsletter.
Live Learning Spring 2023 Parental feedback
Year Group |
Subject |
Most useful thing about the session |
How will home learning be impacted |
Future subjects? |
3 word summary |
Year 1 |
Phonics |
Good to see the children working and see how they workSeeing all the different activities based around 1 letter |
Giving confidence in what to doUsing the ideas to continue I'm a similar manner at homePractise phonics more |
RE, PE, Music, Geography, DT, Art, Computing, Science, English,History, PSHE, Spanish |
Thank you very helpfulVery insightful |
Year 4 |
Maths |
Seeing the many different methods of teaching times tables and how each child goes about the tasks.Understanding how maths is taughtLearning techniques for homeSeeing the children’s work first hand |
Will be looking on dojo to follow the activities at homePositively, I now have lots of new ideas to support learning at home.Learnt loads of different ways of encouraging Josh |
English, Science, Geography, RE, PE |
Thanks for the time and ideas!Informative, insightfulExcellent learning strategiesAmazing thank you |
Live Learning Autumn 2019 Parental feedback
Subject |
Most useful thing about the session? |
How will home learning be impacted? |
Future Subjects? |
3 word summary |
||||||
YEAR 1/2 ASLAN (number attending 12) |
||||||||||
Phonics |
Good ideas for home!Nice to see how the children learn and interactHelpful techniques to reinforce learningAn insight to classroom life and learningGreat to see all children working at different levels |
Good to see different techniquesBetter ideas for spellingNew ideas & insightNew ways to practice spellings - fun |
MusicPEArtMathsDrama |
Lively, interesting, informativeInteresting, informative, helpfulFun, interestingInformativeFun, friendly |
||||||
YEAR 3 POTTER CLASS (NUMBER ATTENDING 12) |
||||||||||
Science |
That what they are learning is more complex than I thoughtKey vocabulary used in the subjectVery interactive and interestingSeeing how patient teachers are and how much learning in Year 3 |
Go over at home, get some pots of soil and do some more experimentsTo push them further and challenge them moreStructure provided and good practical ideasMore challengeWill discuss and reinforce at home |
MathsHistoryEnglishArt |
Great teaching - engaging!Wonderful senses treatInteractive and livelyAmbitious, lively and enjoyableInformative, enjoyable and interactiveFun, eye opening, interesting & insightful |
||||||
YEAR 4 AUSTEN CLASS (NUMBER ATTENDING 8) |
||||||||||
English |
Seeing the techniques of learning in real term "class"To see how they can independently develop their sentencesLearning the way English is taughtTo see the learning in actionGreat to see how to develop their writingTo see the content of a lesson
|
I will be able to give more constructive criticism with homeworkEasier for me to help with homework, understand how to encourage rather than do it for themEasier for parents to help with homework!Encouraging the use of short, medium and long sentences |
Science |
Insightful, engaging, funInteractive, educational, inspiringFun, impactful, teamworkEnlightening, interesting, growthEngaging, insightful, funInformative, engaging, fun |
||||||
YEAR 5 DAHL CLASS (NUMBER ATTENDING 6) |
||||||||||
English |
Great focus on the difference between proof reading and editingTo find out what is expected in English at Year 5 level |
Very useful to help with home learning following some guidelines |
Live Learning, Maths |
Very engaging - wish I had a teacher like Miss Clements when I was at schoolHappy children who settled into Year 5 quicklyFab residential trip - thank you!What a great start to Year 5. Lots of challenge and fun |
||||||
YEAR 6 SHAKESPEARE CLASS (NUMBER ATTENDING 3) |
||||||||||
Maths |
Great to see how they engageLanguage, learning methodUnderstanding new methods so at home can assist in same waySeeing how they use methodsHearing the terminology so i can help at home |
Better support, common languageEasier to help them, consistent application of methodSeen the methodsKnow the terminology
|
ScienceEnglish (fronted adverbials etc)Reading (how to ask questions to help at home) |
fun, engaging, differentiatedInteresting, challenging, choicesIn-Depth, logical, funFun, clear, engaging, supportive |
Live Learning Sessions Spring 2019 Parental feedback
Subject |
Most useful thing about the session? |
How will home learning be impacted? |
Future Subjects? |
3 word summary |
Reception LADYBIRD (number attending 6) |
||||
Maths
|
Understanding what levels my child is atSeeing various techniquesSeeing how the learning is presentedStarting number sentences with the largest number first.The wording used in classThe style of presentation and the class dynamicsBeing involved in their learning |
Being systematicDifferent approachHelp in making learning funKnowing what a number sentence isUse the words used in classs by the teacher eg Number sentenceTerminology of Maths |
EnglishMusicDanceScienceReadingTechnologyScience experimentsArtDramaPhonics |
Fun, interesting,helpfulChallenging,educational,Valuable, precious,targeted,informative engaging |
Year 2 ASLAN (number attending 12) |
||||
Science |
Seeing what happens in the classroomWatching the children interactLove to see the children learning by “doing”Watching the children learn and interactWatching the children |
I will get told off for drinking coke by my child now!We will do more experiments at homeI will follow some of the processes at homeWe will do experiments at homeI will try to talk more about predictions and hypothesis etc |
EnglishMathsArt |
Interesting,fun, hands-on,practical,real-life engaging,enthusiastic,interactive, exciting, chaotic! |
Year 3 KIPLING (number attending 6) |
||||
PE |
It makes the kids activeSeeing the new equipment in actionFinding out how a PE lesson is conductedSeeing the new apparatus and the children being activeSeeing the children having fun at schoolActivity- getting out of the classroomGreat emphasis on safety. |
Working as a team/ team workHelp them with climbing and balanceSafety when climbing outside eg how high do you feel safe?Reinforces that lots of active pursuits are a great ideaEncouraging team workDo more climbing with the children |
ScienceEnglishMaths |
Fun, educating,healthyEnergetic, fun, interesting,Lively, active,, constructive fun, energetic, enjoyable, stretching, exhilarating, heart pumping,detailed, exciting. |
Year 3 POTTER (3 attending) |
||||
Maths |
I liked the fact the children can work at their own abilityNice calm atmosphere with the children enjoying their learningVery interactive The children are asked to express different views about questions. |
Working on neatness and explanationWorking within a time frameHelping the children to concentrate on their work |
Science,Topic,English |
|
Year 4 AUSTEN (7 attending) |
||||
Maths |
Variety of teaching methods to learn times tablesThe number lineMaking learning times tables funDifferent ways to learn the times tablesWays to reinforce times tables |
Looking at alternative ways to learn the tablesFun, creative ideas to use and practiseDifferent methods of learning not just the traditional approachFinding and using games to aid learningFind engaging ways |
MusicDanceFMLScienceDramaPEEnglishArt |
Informative, fun,Valuable, interesting,Varied, informative,insightful,engaging,Interesting,interactive,Enjoyable |
Year 5 DAHL (10 attending) |
||||
Science |
Explanation of time zone is relevant as we have family that lives in AustraliaBeing part of the learning and meeting the classSeeing the children being engaged and curiousSeeing how well the children were learning and behaving in the classLovely to see the children being able to work independently, confidently and remaining focussed.Seeing how science is taught |
We will look at time zones with the childrenWe will talk about the time zones across the worldMore discussion about different time zones and maybe take a trip to Greenwich.
|
Maths |
Independent, hands on learning, fun, informative,interesting, engaging exciting, exploring |
Year 6 SHAKESPEARE (7 attending) |
||||
MathsProblem solving using Bar Modelling |
Very helpful to understand how to use the bar modelling methodThought that the group work/ puzzles was a great idea to keep the children engagedCreating Learning activities outside and inside the classroom was a wonderful idea.Making links between the different subjects was very clear and goodTeaching approach was kind and positive- every child felt heard and valued |
Understanding the bar method will help with home learningThe bar method was new to me- I will now know what my child is talking about at home.Now I know what this is I will be able to help more at homeThat maths isn't as hard as we think and that the bar method is a very good way to visualise the question. |
ScienceMathsEnglishMusic |
Interesting,fun, hands-on,practical,real-life engaging,enthusiastic,interactive, exciting, an eye opener! |
Live Learning Sessions Autumn 2018 Parental feedback
Subject |
Most useful thing about the session? |
How will home learning be impacted? |
Future Subjects? |
3 word summary |
Year 1 ELMER (number attending 7) |
||||
English(Phonics and Talk 4 Writing) |
Understanding how phonics works and how it is taughtSeeing learning taken place outside the classroomSeeing how phonics is taught in class makes you realise how challenging the english language isHow phonics is taught in different ways |
We can look for sounds in everyday objectsI will focus less on the reading being right and focus more on sounds and making phonics funGood to see how phonics sounds are being taught to have consistencyI will focus more on the sounds of the spellings pointing out these sounds when I see them in everyday life |
HistoryNumber bondsMathsScience |
Fun, lively, engaging, great, exciting,energising, interesting, informative,entertaining and creative |
Year 5 DAHL (number attending 3) |
||||
English(Poetry) |
I learnt about syllables as in my own language we use it differentlyKey poetsRespecting the past and passing this down to the children (Cultural capital)How to break down lines in poetryUnderstanding syllables |
Being able to talk things through rather than writing all the time is okBetter understanding of structuring and breaking down the workThinking about the wider context of the children's learning |
ScienceLanguages |
Inspiring, emotional, informative, respectful,thoughtful,inspirational (I loved it), thought provoking, emotional, inclusive |
Year 3 KIPLING (number attending 6) |
||||
Science |
Seeing how engaged the children are in their learningSeeing how well the children work togetherIt is great to see how engaged the children are while learningThe active parts of the lesson eg getting up, sorting, active thinking and movingGood to see how a lesson is run plus how new subjects are introduced |
Seeing how engaged the children are in their learning
|
MathsPEMusicCreative writing |
Helpful,enlightening,interesting,useful,engaging active,interesting, fun,entertaining,informative, engaging |
Year 3 POTTER (2 attending) |
||||
English |
The good class disciplineUse of new words and vocabulary for the children |
Encourage the children to speak clearly and project their voices |
HistoryDifferent ways of thinking |
Think, creative, imaginative, inclusive, relaxed enjoyable. |
Year 6 SHAKESPEARE (5 attending) |
||||
Science |
Seeing the range of resources and methods used to help with the learningHow to teach a concept in a variety of waysHow well the children work together to solve problemsMaking concepts very visual and hands onUsing the resources to break down a tricky topicInteractive learning |
I can apply the same examples to objects at home
|
Maths more ScienceArtPEEnglish |
Fun,visual,varied,engaging,interactive,interesting,useful,enjoyable. |
Year 4 AUSTEN (6 attending) |
||||
English |
Thank you for having us. It was lovely taking part in the lesson. Great to see how to bring grammar to life, especially linking it to topical issues. Thank you Learning grammar vocabulary the children are learning and seeing lessons in progress To understand the complexity of English and writing Really interesting to see a lesson in progress. I learnt a lot! Really interesting to see how challenged the children are and how tricky concepts are taught practically and engagingly Amazing to see how the class has your attention.
|
In depth information on how to go about it
|
Science Maths PHSE |
Wow…quite engaging! Loved it! Amazing, interesting, wow, varied, challenging, rewarding, Interesting, educational, fun, engaging,thought-provoking, challenging. “ Wow! A real insight into Year 4. Much harder than I thought. Really useful.” Year 4 is hard!!! (much more indepth than I realised) |
Year 2 ASLAN (8 attending) |
||||
Maths |
Really useful to understand techniques so we can replicate it at home
|
More practice at home
|
PSHCE
|
Fun, engaging,thorough,fast-moving, varied, differentiated, very interesting, enlightening,good fun Variety of challenge, fun, helpful, intersting, challenging, insightful, interactive, fast paced |
Live Learning Sessions Summer 2018 Parental feedback
Subject |
Most useful thing about the session? |
How will home learning be impacted? |
Future Subjects? |
3 word summary |
Year 1 (number attending 3) |
||||
English
(Phonics and Talk 4 Writing) |
Seeing the variety of different teaching methods that were used and how effective they were in keeping the class engaged and learning. Seeing how phonics is taught and learning techniques to use at home. Getting a much clearer understanding of what the children do. |
Explaining to my child in more detail around the words and the English language How I need to talk to my child about sounds and letter formation More likely to do spellings now Find fun ways of learning to spell words A better understanding of how to talk about sounds and spellings |
Maths Science |
Engaging, effective, interesting, enlightening, useful, purposeful, fun, multi-layered learning. |
Year 2 BFG (number attending 9) |
||||
English (Creative writing, grammar and sentence openers) |
Seeing the children in a classroom environment Seeing the creativity of the children and how well they engage with the subject. It was interesting to see different examples of handwriting Seeing the high level of vocab the children are used to Seeing the broad range of abilities Watching an actual class makes me understand more about what they do during the day. Thank you Interesting to see what actually happens at school. Lovely to see the children behaving nicely and great teaching. It was very engaging To get a better idea of how the children spend their day Lovely to see the dynamic in the classroom and the language used in the children’s learning Seeing the great interaction between teacher and the children knowing what creative writing devices children should know |
Better understanding of the detail needs in written work Engage my child with creative writing at home in a fun way I know about more about grammar now To give my child a lot more time to craft her words out loud to see how they sound Use more creative words in our writing Use technical vocabulary more frequently It gives me an idea of what standard is expected in work Will think about how we will start stories with a “big bang” Will think about how to use more creative language in storytelling |
Maths Creative writing Problem solving activities Science experiments Art Practical subjects like food technology How children were taught to problem solve and use their arithmetic skills |
Engaging, interesting, useful, interactive, motivating, fast paced educational, encouraging, exciting, cheerful, disciplined, creative, challenging, varied, energetic, enthusiastic, dynamic, informative, enlightening, fun. |
Year 4 (number attending 4) |
||||
Maths (Converting fractions to decimal) |
Working together Seeing the structure of a “Math –No problem!” lesson Seeing how maths is taught Seeing how maths is taught which will make home learning easier |
I will do more of it I now know more about what happens in the classroom so I can mirror it Utilise techniques at home rather than my old way of doing things Using the same terminology at home |
Science Design Art English |
Informative, interesting, fun, great insight |