Failing to progress at year 5. Is extra homework the answer?

[Stripytop]

So, at the end of year 4 (last sept) dd's levels were:
Reading 4a, Writing 4c, Maths 4a
With fairly level progression up to that point.
In nov last year (year5), they were:
Reading 5c, Writing 4c, Maths 4b

I have now been asked to come into school to speak to her teacher as she hasn't done as well as expected in the last lot of recent tests. I'm meeting the teacher in the morning, so don't know the actual test results yet, but the teacher thinks this may be a "confidence issue" and that some extra homework may be the answer.

I think that dd gets enough homework as it is, and that if she is failing to progress, or even going backwards, more input is needed within school time rather than at home.

Would appreciate some helpful MN thoughts in order to prepare for the meeting tomorrow.

TIA

[Stripytop]

Bumping hopefully.

[ShredMeJillianIWantToBeNatalie]

Hmm, well I have no idea about the relative levels, but I would tend to agree with you. If it is indeed a confidence issue, then it sounds as though she's leaving school with homework that she perhaps isn't fully confident with in the first place?

How much homework is she getting? I would much rather my children were reading for fun and doing maths activities that don't feel like "homework" than slogging away in front of set work every evening.

[Stripytop]

She gets 1 piece (20 mins ) of literacy, maths, topic each week. It doesn't seem much, but it s all a bit of a battle to get her to do it, especially maths. It is suggested that they do a bit of self directed work, but she generally is all talk with this and ends up not doing anything.

Reading I don't have to worry about as she is a prolific reader and loves all kinds of books.

[TheArticFunky]

Those levels are above average they are expected to reach 4b at the end of year 6.

Is it possible that her previous teacher over inflated her levels previously? It is concerning that there is no progress with writing and a decline in Maths. I would be questioning the teaching in year 5. What does your dd say is she struggling to understand her work in Maths for example?

[richmal]

Doing extra work with your child at home on a one to one basis will improve their academic ability.

It could be that if they are too tired in the evening, trying to do some minutes in the morning or at weekends might be the answer.

There are lots of free resources online: BBC bitesize, Khan Academy, nrich.

My dd liked Letts Enchanted English and Mythical Maths series.

[Stripytop]

Thanks all so much for your replies. Much appreciated!

Funky you may be right. She jumped 3 levels in year 4 (Maths), so I do question that.

I think the fundamental problem is that almost every child in her group is being tutored for entrance exams. Something we have decided not to do. It's a very competitive group and things are hotting up as we near the end of year 5. I think everyone has zoomed ahead of her and she is floundering because of the speed they are moving. She is making lots of silly mistakes apparently; I think she is rushing and not checking her work.

I met with her teacher this morning and Maths is actually a 4c, so she has dropped 2 levels. The teacher is suggesting we do extra work at home with her. She has also moved her down a group and will be giving her booster lessons.

I happy with the last two as I feel it will take the pressure off somewhat and give her extra support. The first one, not really. She is quite resistant to doing any homework, doing as little as possible with minimum effort. I know that anything perceived as 'special' homework won't get done without a battle. Also, I'm happy to support homework as consolidation or practice of lessons done at school, but I'm not happy to 'teach' at home.

She has access to lots of resources at home, workbooks, websites, apps, games etc. But she's just not interested. You can lead a horse to water.... She's a bright, but just not academic, child and has lots of wonderful skills and talents that can't be measured with a test, but that will hold her in good stead when she grows up. I see it as my job to develop these and leave academic development to the professionals, though I do realise I have to keep a close eye on things.

[Stripytop]

As I was typing the above post, I decided that we won't be doing the extra work. I think I'll just monitor the new group and booster sessions and see how that goes.

Unless of course dd asks for extra work. She may be motivated to get back into her usual work group I suppose.

[mummy1973]

Stripy. I could have written v similar myself. Your dd has great levels. Maybe just work on her confidence in everyday situations? With such big progress last year maybe she needs time to consolidate. It is hard for them when they see classmates that are zooming ahead. But by the sounds of it your prolific reader has strengths that way. As an adult I am always happiest when I play to my strengths (hate excel spreadsheets)!

[mummy1973]

Just wanted to add neither dd, dh or I couldn't do dd's maths homework last week! And yes we got good GCSE maths.