Not using half term to catch up am I wrong?

[CatAndTheChild]

NC for this.

DD is 6, year 2. I am a single parent and she is an only child. She also has some health issues, although I am furloughed.

School do 1x live lesson a day for maths or English, then 1x prerecorded maths or English (they alternate so one day it’s Maths with A Class/Bubble and the next it’s English with B Class/Bubble). Then the other topics/subjects are set a task and/or worksheet to complete. Live lesson is uploaded in the hour after the lesson to watch back/again at leisure. All worksheets/tasks are uploaded to an online system at the end of everyday for the next day. School are also good at printing anything off in advance and posting it through letter boxes/letting you collect from school.

DD is about 2 weeks behind with maths and English and 3-4 weeks in all other subjects. She’s had zoom medical appointments during this lockdown which take much longer than normal in clinic appointments so those days she’s done 1 or 2 tasks rather than the recommended 5-6, and she’s also had a few days of doing nothing as she’s needed to attend blood tests or go to the actual hospital/clinic for tests that can’t be done at home (they’ve closed all the local clinics temporarily and keep sending us to the big hospital 25 miles away so a simple blood test can easily take all day when I’d usually be able to pop with her to the clinic in my town and it take an hour).

Teacher called me today and very apologetically told me that DD will need to use half term next week to try and catch up. She fully admits that if DD were at school she’d be having extra support to get her through and she’d also be setting much less work in school because she’d be able to assess the childrens understand and adapt tasks.

I do feel for the teacher, she’s doing her best. But I don’t want to use half term to catch up. Selfishly I was looking forward to some time with DD where I don’t have to consider her schooling for a bit, she has no appointments so it’ll be my time to run around with her, bake, play games etc. I am happy to play maths or English related games with her.

My DD doesn’t have an EHCP as she doesn’t really need one (class TA can keep her up for now) so doesn’t class as vulnerable. But she is getting a really raw deal atm, she has me teaching her, no siblings to play with and is still battling her medical issues. We’re spending all day 9-3 working on schoolwork and sometimes still not getting it finished. Even cutting out other subjects and just focusing on Maths and English there’s just too much to do.

So do I use half term to catch up? Or just pick up where are at when the new half term starts?

[KriekAndWaffle]

She’s only 6, she’ll be fine. Give you and her a break x

[EL8888]

I think a rest will benefit her more and lm sure that would be good for you. I think baking and games will be perfect

[Beamur]

Why not do just an hour or two in the morning and keep all afternoons free?
It's not much fun for her to feel she's falling behind either.
I'd try and find time for a little bit of schoolwork.

[CatAndTheChild]

@Beamur

Why not do just an hour or two in the morning and keep all afternoons free?
It's not much fun for her to feel she's falling behind either.
I'd try and find time for a little bit of schoolwork.

DD doesn't know she's behind. I upload everything after she's in bed so she doesn;t see how much we have outstanding and I have asked school not to tell her which they've agreed to,

[Lindy2]

She's 6 and it sounds like she and you have been through a lot lately.

The school seem to be prioritising their paperwork and tick boxing rather than appreciating that your daughter has had health issues as well as the challenge of home learning.

Use half term to relax and have some fun. The school is overstepping their authority.

[Beamur]

I guess it's up to you then and what you think is in her best interest. Sounds like you've both been through the mill with the doctors appointments and health worries.
Maybe a week off is what you both need.
You can actually do practical maths with cooking and reading a book together surely counts as being useful as well as a nice thing to do.

[CatAndTheChild]

@Beamur

I guess it's up to you then and what you think is in her best interest. Sounds like you've both been through the mill with the doctors appointments and health worries.
Maybe a week off is what you both need.
You can actually do practical maths with cooking and reading a book together surely counts as being useful as well as a nice thing to do.

I am happy to use maths and english in everyday things, and we love snuggling up to read a book as well so I will definitely be keeping up with those it's just the school tasks.

[LemonBreeland]

Our school have asked us not to do any work with DC during half term. They have said they need a break. I think your DD with her medical issues needs that break as much, if not more, than everyone else. I would not make her work.

[SillyOldMummy]

It sounds like you are managing things very sensibly. You know your child best, and you're there all day so you are in the best position to know what she needs.

Maybe you could take a look at the content of the curriculum that she's behind on and build it into your play activities?
Sometimes when I want to give my DD an afternoon off for some fun together, I speed watch the recorded lessons and then teach her myself, it's usually a lot faster (perhaps not quite as thorough but gets it done).

Learning through play could work well for Maths (measure, count, weigh, add and subtract etc). And you can get her to do some other bits - make Easter cards and practice handwriting etc.

Then perhaps some of the lesson content will go faster when you do tackle it.

[CatAndTheChild]

@SillyOldMummy

It sounds like you are managing things very sensibly. You know your child best, and you're there all day so you are in the best position to know what she needs.

Maybe you could take a look at the content of the curriculum that she's behind on and build it into your play activities?
Sometimes when I want to give my DD an afternoon off for some fun together, I speed watch the recorded lessons and then teach her myself, it's usually a lot faster (perhaps not quite as thorough but gets it done).

Learning through play could work well for Maths (measure, count, weigh, add and subtract etc). And you can get her to do some other bits - make Easter cards and practice handwriting etc.

Then perhaps some of the lesson content will go faster when you do tackle it.

She wants to make a valentines card so that was one of my plans, and she likes drawing so I'll get her to draw a story or similar.

Will definitely look at what they're doing and see if I can use it in play as well thank you thats a great suggestion.

[Sittinbythetree]

I would do a bit of maths and english first thing on the weekdays. The other subjects don’t matter at all. I always used to make mine do a bit of work in the holidays anyway when they were that age - it keeps the momentum and they liked using their brains a bit.

[GrasswillbeGreener]

Maybe ask the teacher which - if any - outstanding tasks should be prioritised, and cross off everything else now. Then see where you get to in the rest of this week, and reprioritise whatever's left with a view to starting fresh after half term or at most having one or two things to attempt to add in that week.

Hope you have a really fun, relaxing and different holiday - that's what all the kids need.

Mine are both in exam years, and I think both have been told they are not having holiday work set that normally would have happened at this time of year as their schools are recognising that a break from screens and work is more needed than ever right now.

[Redwinestillfine]

This is ridiculous. I suspect that the school are more concerned about their own stats than your dad. A break can be just as beneficial. Do what feels right.

[JustCallMeGriffin]

Another voice agreeing that a week off from formal learning is needed more than trying to play catch up with tasks from school.

I'd get in touch with the teacher and ask what are the priority tasks that need to be done this week and make clear that you will not be working against assigned work beyond Friday.

I'm in utter support of the efforts schools and teachers are making at the moment. They're attempting the impossible just as much as the parents are in trying to keep some semblance of structure learning happening from the home environment, but it is disappointing to see that some teachers aren't recognising that everyone needs time to reset away from at home learning and half term is the perfect opportunity.

Hope you have a lovely week together and the medical stuff sorts out soon.

[Butterymuffin]

She needs a break. All kids do. She is 6 and there are many weeks, months and years yet in which to address all this. You also need a break, perhaps even more so as you're responsible for all her online learning at the moment. If you fall over, who will do it? Take the week off, enjoy time with your daughter and get some rest. I would do reading stories with her and that's it. Reading is the one area to keep up as getting comfortable with that will make her other lessons easier too. But even that could and should be fun, not yet more lesson time.

[CatAndTheChild]

I will say school are usually brilliant and I've been very impressed with the level of work set, I just think the teacher may have panicked a bit seeing how far behind we are and is worried we might fall further behind.

[Xerochrysum]

Half term is a holiday. It's time for children to have some break, especially the young child who has been through a lot.
Yr2 is still really young. Once the school has started, she has plenty of time to catch up. It's time for you both to have chilled time enjoying fun stuff.

[Alfaix]

She’s 6, not 16! Week off is fine.
If you feel you must I would agree to doing 5 tasks, one a day, lasting no more than 30 minutes. Do first thing after breakfast and then the rest of the day is fun.

[CottonSock]

I can't believe the school asked this at all, let alone for a 6 year old.. Who's also unwell.

[WaiterTheresAFly]

I think what @SillyOldMummy suggests is a good idea. Find out what needs to be covered and do it in your own way.

The problem with not doing the set work is that most of the content is the topics they missed last year. So not doing them now is pushing everything back been more. For example we are doing seasons in year two which should have been covered in year one.

Schools are under pressure to make sure that they are providing the work and following up with families that aren't engaging with it.

[donewithitalltodayandxmas]

She's 6 , surely they are all at such different levels then anyway
I would give her the week off and just see if you can try and catch up with tasks after even if only extra 20 mins here and there , unless she wants to do a bit of school work in the hols

[MotherExtraordinaire]

@CatAndTheChild
DD is about 2 weeks behind with maths and English and 3-4 weeks in all other subjects. She’s had zoom medical appointments during this lockdown which take much longer than normal in clinic appointments so those days she’s done 1 or 2 tasks rather than the recommended 5-6, and she’s also had a few days of doing nothing as she’s needed to attend blood tests or go to the actual hospital/clinic for tests that can’t be done at home (they’ve closed all the local clinics temporarily and keep sending us to the big hospital 25 miles away so a simple blood test can easily take all day when I’d usually be able to pop with her to the clinic in my town and it take an hour).

Ok,im going to read into what you've said.
So we've had 5 full weeks and 2 day so far. So 27 worth of days of school, assuming no insets.
To be 2 weeks behind in maths and English means 10 of 25 days haven't been completed. And 15 to 20 days behind in other areas.
Are you retrying to justify this as a few, even if regular zoom meetings and odd blood test to justify this level of not educating your child?
Our hospital is a 45 minutes drive. So like yours ,iur appointments are an 1.5 hours travel, another 14 to 20 minutes parking plus the appointments. So easily a full morning or afternoon. So guess what, we work in the afternoon or completed some of the more fun activities at the weekend or in the evening.
You are choosing to have disadvanatged your child. There's absolutely no excuse for being behind in English and maths given the lessons are recorded.
I think that you need to look at the English and maths activities, prioritising these, and catching up as best as possible. Perhaps doubling up lessons if appropriate.
Certainly any comprehension, handwriting, phonics are easy to catch up on quickly.
My lo has additional needs and is same age and year group. I am also working. Alongside managing the medical appointments, inciuding this week's appointment. It is possible and you're not working. Surely this should be the time that you support her to meet her potential with 1 on 1 support in a quiet uninterrupted environment.
Fwiw my lo is also an only child and that's hard. But no excuse for not educating our innocent children.

[thewinkingprawn]

I think if the school has asked you to catch her up then you really need to try with the maths and phonics. It sounds like you have missed a lot of sessions and she will be behind the class so I would do some stuff every day. Teachers are not going to have time to plug all of the gaps and you have a week free to try and help out by doing some of that work with her. I very much doubt it is a tick box exercise, I expect you have missed so much that they are worried. My DS is in a mixed Y1 and Y2 class and we can certainly get his maths and English done in an hour or so so i expect they want you to at least try. Zoom appointments can’t be going on all day.

[TryingNotToPanicOverCovid]

I'm not doing 9-3 everyday with my year 4. I really don't think anyone in primary should be.

I would definitely get a break over half term.

Can you ask the teacher to help you prioritise after half term - ask what to do first (for my child is maths and english ) and then ditch everything else so you can keep on top of the work that she can get behind on rather than trying to do every full day and then get behind.

Within the work - can you find the key pieces of learning and try and help her with that?

For example for science we had to do a lesson and then make a poster - we just discussed the key points and didn't do the poster.
...

Within the phonics and maths are you aware where she's struggling?
Or which bits to focus on. Some of it might be time heavy activities you can skip even within that?

[TryingNotToPanicOverCovid]

Yes we do the main bit in an hour - but if OP is working on homeschool 9-3 they must be doing something