Could any teachers or parents just give me their opinions on this Y5 homework

[IvyBean]

Less than impressed with it and just want to know whether my expectations in some areas are a little high.

[Sirzy]

What is the problem?

[IvyBean]

Would rather hear other opinions not tainted by mine.

[CtrlAltDelicious]

Is it the fact that the questions are hand written on? I hope not. It looks as though the teacher's identified what they've done poorly on a recent test and tailored questions appropriate to their needs. Much better than photocopying a fancy but generic worksheet out of a book.

[WowOoo]

I was going to say what CtrlAlt said!

[IvyBean]

No not that.

[LynetteScavo]

I would be less than impressed. - It's hard for me to read- I had to squint, but I think I got the gist.

I would not be impressed if DD (Y5) brought this home! In fact, I would be popping in for a little chat with her teacher to see if he was having some sort of breakdown/crisis. I say that only half jokingly- I work FT, and it takes a lot for me to actually see DDs teacher.

It's nearly the end of Y5. If my child had made progress, I would keep quiet, and presume it was the parallel class teacher who had set this. If my child had made no progress I would be asking for a meeting with the teacher, and HT together.

[WowOoo]

Is it the 'How long is the daylight hours?' Q

I guess 'How many daylight hours' would be better.

[SoldierBear]

I can't make it out on my phone.
Can you type it out?

[HarveySchlumpfenburger]

I would guess the problem is the standard of grammar in the handwritten questions. That is quite poor OP. Is all homework like this or just this one?

Having said that, I'm not sure it's that acceptable even once. I'm not sure I'd be happy if this was written by the same person who was supposed to be teaching my child English.

[IvyBean]

Yes it's the grammar errors,presentation,crossed out mistake....DC has made sfa progress this year.

[CtrlAltDelicious]

Can't read most of it - if it's written with poor grammar then yes, I'd mention it.

[IvyBean]

Oh arse, twas hoping you'd say I was being fussy. Already at loggerheads and yes work full time so popping in not an option.

[teacherwith2kids]

The questions are based on Optional SATS - one certainly is from the 2003 paper - but the additional questions have been written by the teacher.

If you have an issue with it being handwritten, the process of photocopying / screenshotting the original then typing in extra questions is sightly slower for mnost people than handwriting - and it may be that they did the paper very recently so the teacher wants to pick up on common errors while it is fresh in their minds. I have very occasionally handwritten homework in this type of scenario.

There are a couple of grammatical error in the new questions written by the teacher - 'is the sunset hours', and the use of 'sunset' etc when it should be two words. this is probably based ion the miscopying from the original paper of 'does the sunset' [should be sun set] rather than 'is the sunset' [which is what the original says]. I would agree that is not ideal.

It is also odd that Optional SATs are being used at all, given the new curriculuym, and tbh that seems to me to be the most substantive criticism. If it IS a correction of errors from an assessment paper, why is this asssessment being used, as it assesses as Year 5 curriculum no longer being taught.

[teacherwith2kids]

Sorry, cross posted. If this is TYPICAL of the standard of written English from this teacher, there is a potential issue. If it is a one-off issue with a quickly-prepared 'reactive' homework, that's different IYSWIM?

The use of an assessment tool not designed for the new cuirriculum is, though, from the educational point of view, more of an issue. Are they teaching the new curriculum (because if they are not, the revised Year 6 tests next year are going to be tricky)? Are they still using levels to report progress??

[IvyBean]

Yup that too. Asked for levels equivalent in new money so I can see if she is on task to do ok in Sats for next year three times now and still not been given them.I guess because they aren't using them.

Are the errors just not ideal or actually quite bad when you consider being able to spot verbs etc next year is pretty crucial.Honest opinion ie should I just let it go?

Don't want to go into too much detail but mistakes are common with this teacher.

[IvyBean]

Yes still using levels.

I guess they're using the new curriculum looking at the multiplication.Who knows?

[Tanaqui]

The sunset/ sunrise error is really crap, basic stuff. The "is the daylight" might be because she started writing something else ( eg how long is it light for?), but again, pretty grim.

IMO it's less excusable than a typo- the practise/ practice mistake on another thread could be a typo or auto correct- handwritten work does not have that excuse!

[WombatStewForTea]

Grammatical errors aside we don't know that the original paper was used for assessment purposes. It could have been used alongside something else.
As for them not giving you equivalent levels in new money there isn't anything standard for them to give you. Nothing has been published and schools across the country are using different ways of reporting progress. We don't even know what SATs will look like next year.

[teacherwith2kids]

If this is typical, and part of a wider pattern that you think is contributing to your child's lack of progress, then your only real option is to take it up with the head.

I did at one point have a colleague with poor written English - the head was aware, and it was dealt with through CPD in the form of coaching, feedback (had to submit all paperwork in adavance) and specific online courses.

However, with only a half term left until the end of Year 5, I would perhaps take this route only if this is also the person who will be teaching your child in Y6.

[IvyBean]

Ok will forget that then Wombat.

[IvyBean]

God I hope not as regards year 6.

Teacher has been known for this sort of thing for years,just don't get why there hasn't been anything done about it.

Already at loggerheads with head who recently told me that the "first class teaching" she was getting this year would ensure she made expected progress across the key stage. Personally I expect she will because of the extra tutoring we'll be giving her but that isn't his problem I guess.

[teacherwith2kids]

Under those circumstances, might be tempted to show the homnework to the head, as evidence that the 'first class teaching' has not quite materialised here.

However, bear in mind that a decent head will ALWAYS back his / her teachers in public (in normal circumstances) - and you will never know what happens behind the scenes!

[IvyBean]

Ok.

Thanks for the advice I appreciate it.

You don't think I'm being overtly precious then?

[teacherwith2kids]

If this was a one-off, quickly-produced homework from a normally adequate teacher, you would be being precious ... goodness knows I have committed a few howlers in my time as a result of typing / writing with one hand, eating lunch with another, and getting ready for the afternoon with the third; or when the late night marking session has gone on too long.

However, as a symptom of a wider problem, which you believe is impacting directly on your child's progress, much less precious. And if you approach it in that light, through its direct impact on your child, you will sound much more reasonable.

As I said, I had a colleague with a similar issue, and the school worked with her to resolve it.

[LynetteScavo]

I live in a super selective grammar area, where lots of DC are tutored. I'm fed up of hearing (off the record from teacher/TA friends) DC who are tutored are making more progress across the board than the others, and are leaving the non-tutored behind - so if there is is a crap teacher, the tutored DC will be OK, the non tutored wont.

I would very much let the HT know your DD is having extra tutoring so they are aware you felt it necessary.

You are certainly NOT being precious!