KS2 teachers - advice please?

[Cakesandale]

My dd has started year 3 and is getting in a bit of a state about homework. I just want to know what any teachers out there think, because I don't know if i am missing something.

Frequently she comes home with a sheet of work that has no instructions on it, and it is not clear to me or the DH what she has to do. Sometimes that is fine as she knows and tells me, but sometimes she has no idea either.

it happened this week, and when i told dd that she needs to ask if something is not clear, she burst into tears and said she had tried to, but the teacher had said 'No Questions,, put it in your bag.' I have asked a couple of other parents (not many, I don't want to start a row) and they say their kids say the same thing.

I think the teachers are trying to get the kids to be a bit more independent, but if they don't know how to do their homework, and we don't either, I can't see how that is helpful.

on the other hand it is a good school, and this is a very well thought-of teacher, so I am very happy to be told that there is a reason for all of this. I'd honestly like your views, i want to be constructive, not critical.

Also, I sent in a note on the last piece of homework saying we had done what we thought was right, but weren't sure because of the lack of instructions - and asking for a bit more input so we can help dd effectively if she needs it. Is the teacher likely to get pissed off with me, or to take in on board, do you think? I really would like your views because if this goes on I may have to go in and ask what is going on, and I'd like to do that in a positive way, not a negative one. For the record dd is quite hard working and likes to achieve, so I'd be surprised if she is just failing to listen to instructions (although if told that, of course I am happy to admit I may be wrong)

[Cakesandale]

Thanks Euphemia. I am glad it's not just me.

The most recent was a two sided sheet with a load of verbs on, and the point seemed to be that they had irregular past tenses. Beside each verb were three boxes labelled 1st try, second try and third try. Underneath that in each case was the correct past tense oft he verb above, also labelled 1st try, second try, third try.

So we assumed in the absence of instructions that she just had to write the past (or present) of each one, and so I covered the line below each one until dd had given me the answer. But three times? Why? Surely there must be more to it than that? But if there is more, we have not done it, as we just don't know. I suspect the homework is done wrong....

[Cakesandale]

by the way - your school project sounds all too familiar as well. Dd conned me into thinking that we had to make a pop-up book for her project. Imagine my joy after spending a lot of time and cash when she confessed that actually they only had to do a poster but she just fancied doing the pop up book [ grin]

[Cakesandale]

Thanks Euphemia, that's what I thought

We shall see how the teacher marks it, then. In the past she has refused to take questions and then told them off when they make a guess and it's wrong, which seems a bit That's dd's reporting of it obviously, I'm sure the teacher has a different angle on things. But if it happens again i think I shall have to try to get the teacher's view because i am really keen to help dd, both to learn and to enjoy school. If at all possible I'd like to achieve that without hacking off the teacher and without getting myself into a mucksweat.

[madamefreckle]

Sounds a bit rubbish to me. (primary teacher) FWIW I think that homework sheets should be self-explanatory with one filled in example at the top. Alternatively they should come with full instructions and an outline of what has been covered in class.

I would say something to the teacher... but I know that when my dc start school I am going to be the parent from hell!

[patienceplease]

It is possible that these are spellings (I was a year 3 teacher but am not certain). Is it that she has to look at the word, cover it up, and then write it, repeating 3 times to try and get it right? It could be something completely different though!

[patienceplease]

And I agree with madamefreckle.

[Cakesandale]

Thank you, all of you.

I was wondering if they were spellings, maybe. If so we are in the clear because she got them off without problems [proud face]

It does seem rubbish. I'm glad you think so too: I am a bit short-fused, but am keen to be constructive and not a parent from hell. Especially as I am quite involved with the school - i don't want to look like I am very pushy, or after special attention.

I feel happier having a careful word now!

[crazygracieuk]

My son in y5 gets instructions for projects. Personally I would expect children to wrote down the instructions at secondary school.

[Cakesandale]

Thank you crazygracie - the instructions are sadly lacking here.

Even at 7 I think she'd remember if she'd been given any instructions: ie we'd get told them, even if they came out a bit garbled and confused. I will ask the teacher to write them down on the sheet (or at least make the sheets more self explanatory) as madamefreckle and patience suggest.

[Tinuviel]

I teach secondary and I put instructions on all worksheets (even if they are being done in class) and/or an example!

We had the same problem in year 1 when DS1 was in school. And when she explained what she expected it was so completely different from what we had done! Her comment was "Well, we've done doing commas in lists all week!" My retort was that he was 6 years old; had issues with hearing and so didn't process verbal instructions very well! (which she knew - or should have done!) To be fair, it was a rubbish school and we withdrew him at the end of a dreadful year 1 to home educate!!

[Cakesandale]

That sounds awful Tinu! for poor ds.

I am going to have to go in and have a word. I know I'm going to seem like a pushy old bag.