Talk to me about private tutoring, literacy, Yr 6 please

[Hassled]

I always thought this was what overly pushy parents did. Little did I know.

I have to do something with DS3 - his reading is excellent, his written work woeful. And it's not that he doesn't understand or doesn't have the vocabulary - it's mostly just that he can't be arsed (his teacher agrees, although she used nicer words). He can't be arsed to use a word like "massive" when "big" will do; he can't be arsed to use a semi-colon, he can't be arsed to even punctuate anything correctly. It's absolute bare minimum, all the way.

He's a bright boy - very quick-witted, feisty. He's the sort of boy who can think of the funny retort straight away (I have it 10 minutes later). Maths is fine - I'm just in despair re the written work, especially with High School looming.

So would a tutor help, do you think? Or am I clutching at straws? How does one find a tutor?

[healstorturepeople]

Yes a tutor would probably help. I've done Y6 tutoring and children definitely make good progress with 1:1 support.
In my opinion doing this for 2 x 1 hours a week is preferable to doing it for 1 x 1 hour a week for twice as long. Things are forgotten 1 week to the next.

You could advertise privately (ad in shop, paper etc but state CRB and references are essential or you could do an internet search for tutoring centres or companies).

If you are in the North East and near me then I'll do it!

One positive is that his reading is excellent. This usually helps with good writing. He'll get there.

[Hassled]

Thank you so much for replying - sadly nowhere near NE. Reassuring to know he'll get there - part of my mystification is that I always assumed good reading would lead to good writing, but it just hasn't happened with DS3.

[healstorturepeople]

Personally I prefer a writer who uses 'big' instead of 'massive'. As you get older then basic writing rather than flowery writing that ticks y6 sat boxes is far better.

Aim for basic punctuation before semi colon etc. I wouldn't worry about semi colon yet. This can be revised nearer to the sats. As an adult who does a lot of writing with my job I can't think of the last time I used a semi colon. It's sad that y6 sat box ticking leads to writing full of flowery similes, metaphors, semi colons, tons of complex sentences etc. Simple is best (sadly not for y6 results!)

[learnandsay]

Start entering him in writing competitions.

[Hassled]

Thanks again - Heals, you're right that so much of Yr6 literacy just seems to be about proving that you know the stuff, rather than actually using the stuff in an effective way.

learnandsay - interesting you mention competitions - his teacher has noted that he's quite competitive (when he can be arsed!) and a poem they did in class can be entered in a competition. She's going to get him to redo his (which was dreadful) with this as the carrot.

[bkaz]

Hi Learnsaday, sorry to hijack thread op, but can you tell me where to find writing competition for children age 9 years? Thanks.