Are twinkle box worksheets ok as lessons?

[TheRollingCrone]

Just having a chat to my dd about going back to school tomorrow (we're in the UK).She's in Yr 4 and this year has two teachers, one Mon-Wed and the other Thur-Fri.

She's always loved school, does ok academically, but hates Thursday and Fridays, mainly she says (caveat: I know a big pinch of salt is always needed) because the teacher is shouty although she ought to be used to that being my daughter

Tonight she's told me that Thursday/Fridays are just twinkle box worksheets
Now she's not complained that the works easy or she's not learning anything. Her main complaint is that the teacher calls out "Johnny come and get the 1 star sheets" "Ben come and get the 3 star sheets" etc which she thinks is not very nice for 1 star people "cos everyone knows the works not hard"

However, I'm more concerned that 2 days are spent with twinkle box worksheets, although she has said Miss does do reading with a group in the mornings.

I have parents evening coming up , would you bring this up? Is it normal for twinkle sheets to be used (maths&english)? does this happen at your dc schools?

I like both the teachers and don't want to bring it up if it's normal practice.
Any advice?

[Littlefish]

Some of the Twinkl resources are excellent, but an over-reliance on any one teaching method or resource is never good. Any reliance on worksheets is not good either!

[cansu]

There is nothing wrong with the sheets and they are designed for use in primary schools. The problem would be if there was no other teaching.

[Saucery]

Twinkl is for colouring in and very, very basic worksheets to add to planned curriculum, not a programme of work in their own right.

[TheRollingCrone]

Would you bring it up Littlefish? I kind of want to ask if this is normal but don't quite know how to frame the question without sounding like a criticism...

[raptorclaw]

Twinkl is not for colouring in, what an absurd statement to make.

They produce comprehensive and detailed planning with editable resources and lesson packs now, particularly in the foundation subjects and grammar.

I wouldn't use them for English and maths planning but some of their English and maths resources are useful.

OP I think you need more context tbh. There's nothing wrong with teachers using ready made teaching resources unless they are failing to teach children to the expected age related standard.

I would ask if the school uses a particular scheme or follows a policy for English and maths if the teacher is using Twinkl for those. Does seem odd if one teacher is using something different to the other - not good subject management going on if that's the case.

[Littlefish]

You could ask about the continuity across the week and say that your dd is finding it difficult working with two different teachers with such different styles. Will both teachers be at the parents' evening? At the school where I work, job share partners always do parents' evenings together.

[LemonRedwood]

Have you been on Twinkl recently Saucery? Perhaps that's what it used to be but as a pp said, some of their plans and resources are excellent.

[LemonRedwood]

Also "twinkle box" may be confusing Twinkl for sparklebox. If it's the latter it most definitely is not ok.

[TheRollingCrone]

Thanks for all your comments, I have a better idea of what to ask now.

I did ask dd if her other teacher uses the sheets ( they do english&math everyday) and she's told me "no she teaches us herself".

[SisterViktorine]

Saucery I think it must be a while since you have been on Twinkl.

[TheRollingCrone]

Euphemia You got me nailed. I guess it's a little of everything. My dd loves

school ( more the social side than academic I think). But she's started to

say "do I have to go to schol today" "I don't want to go today". And I see her

head drop as the week goes on .

I was hoping to get to at least 13 before I heard that .

I'm not much of a shouter these days as dd I think has the makeup to

become "hardfaced". I,ve always apologised for shouting and explained it's

about me losing control and it's unacceptable yada,yada.

So yes, I'm at a loss at what to say to her about shouty teacher. I know she's

not scared as such, she just remarked it's ridiculous because it doesn't stop the disruption.

Now I'm not so worried about the worksheet thing. I'm not against anything

that can ease a teachers work load, but yes to be honest, to my ancient mind, they sound boring.

I think on reflection I'm worried about her getting turned off already
Her class is disruptive to be fair, I know she's been moved inbetween 2 talkers.

She's told me about a quiet table and has asked Miss if she can go there but
been refused "for naughty children"

[TheRollingCrone]

I just want to throw my arms round every teacher I meet and say thankyou for sticking with it, I am loathe to criticise because she has been really happy until this year.

It's only the first half term, maybe it's just adjustment. I have explained she will have teachers she likes more than others, and she has to buckle down and get on with it whatever her feelings towards the teacher.

I'll end up saying nothing! Totally useless I am.

[zippygeorgeandben]

As a teacher I find Twinkl an excellent resource bank. Like littlefish says earlier, an over reliance on any worksheets isn't good. I sometimes create my own worksheets, sometimes we just do our work straight into our books, sometimes twinkl might be able to help. Some of their powerpoints really do help consolidate learning within the classroom with high quality images.
Yes there is colouring in, but that's only for golden time ;)

[thatdearoctopus]

It's hard for young kids to have different teachers in a week.

Nonsense.

Is it hard for them to have two different parents at home?

[Keeptrudging]

Twinkl resources are high quality, very up-to-date and differentiated well. They're clear, with nice illustrations/photos. There are powerpoints (some with embedded videos), flashcards, games, assessments, display packs etc. It costs me £90/year for my membership, which I pay for myself, because it is fabulous. I don't just chuck worksheets at pupils, but if I need a clear, attractive worksheet to reinforce my teaching/other resources I know I can instantly find one there 99% of the time. My £90 is worth every penny. 'Just colouring in sheets' my arse !

[Badhairday1001]

Your daughter is probably still getting used to all the changes. It is difficult for children to have two teachers in primary because they directly compare them to each other and will always have a favourite. It also involves children getting used to different routines and expectations during the split week and because each teacher has them less often it takes pupils and teachers more time to get to know each other. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a big change and change can be really hard.
I love Twinkl my school only subscribed this year and I'm amazed at the high quality of the resources they produce and the time it has saved me. They do some great maths challenge sheets which I use for early work and I love their guided reading schemes too. Sorry if this post is full of mistakes, I'm writing it on my phone and can't read it back .

[TheRollingCrone]

Thanks for all your comments. I'm so reassured about the twinkle sheets. I've promised her a hot chocolate at a cafe she likes after school tomorrow
if there's no whining