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Original poster

WIBU to make y7 DD to revise in half term AND help her?

60 replies

ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat · 05/06/2024 19:01

DD has a lot of end of year tests coming up. Yes , she is only Y7 but she's the type of kid that is lazyish but also gets upset if she doesn't do well, and there is no way she will do well without any revision bar 2/3 subjects.

I kept a couple of days free over half term for this and also helped her make revision cards, showed her how to do them,to summarise etc.

Two friends told me I was unreasonable (not in those exact words) for making her work and revise , as it's only y7 it doesn't matter,she should chill,relax and have fun. They asked if I could meet up and I said I was busy, they asked with what and that's how it came about. One of the replies was actually "oh,fuck that".

Another friend (more of an acquaintance) asked me for help as our daughters were talking about revision and I sent her the links the school provided. Then she asked for the cards to see exactly what we are doing. I showed her and then she got a bit snarky and snippy as they were too good for DD to have done herself. I said I obviously helped as she had no idea how to do them (first year she ever needed it, as SATS revision was completely different) and I didn't think it was fair to let her get on with it with no guidance. She got even snippier and said she doesn't have the time to do it and it's unfair and it should be the children's work not parents'. I mean, if it's all that independent why didn't she just get her DD to ask mine for notes and advice?

I let it all go and just internally rolled my eyes, however I got a message today from one of these people asking if "all that hard work was worth it yet" with laughing emojis. I just replied tests haven't started yet.

One lesson definitely learned, keep my mouth shut.

However WIBU on both counts? Either?

OP posts:
JustMarriedBecca · 05/06/2024 22:15

I suspect there's an element of jealousy. At our school half the parents talk about "Scandinavian teaching methods" and wax lyrical about kids not reading until age 7.

But you KNOW they are the ones who are hot housing their kids. One of the school Mums I know had her kids sit Year 6 SAT papers from Year 4.

Precipice · 05/06/2024 22:11

Your acquaintance sounds snide and unpleasant.

It doesn't matter if it's 'too good for DD to have done herself' because it's not work that's being handed in for a grade, but for revision purposes. It may be that DD finds in time that her way of revising and making revision notes is different from yours, however.

Seems fine and helpful.

Freesia9 · 05/06/2024 22:03

It's an absolutely great idea, to assist with revision technique in Y7, because end of yr7 tests are in another league to Yr6. All you're doing is helping your DS to learn the skill/how to on how to revise which he will require for years to come. Some kids just don't need this, because they're good at finding what works for them independently. My mum did this with me and I've done it with my DD. The mums who are texting you are just jealous/guilty that they're not doing it.

PurpleHiker · 05/06/2024 21:09

I got my year 7 child to revise in half term. I also reduced daily time on the Xbox and only had a few afternoons out. I didn't help with revision cards or anything, but did download all the revision resources the school provided, and then left him to make his own notes. I bought some nice pens and highlighters so he could enhance his notes. I know its only year 7, but my child also likes to do well, and this is an opportunity for him to see what revision style works for him, and to learn how to organise his revision time when there are many subjects to do. That way, when it does actually matter he knows what revision style suits him and he can just get on with it.

Original poster
ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat · 05/06/2024 20:50

CrushingOnRubies · 05/06/2024 19:45

Year 7 is fine for revaion cards it's good practice for when it matters.

www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/ks3/science/shf31-ks3-science-revision-question-cards

Check these out if you're running out of record cards

Those look great! Thanks

OP posts:
CrushingOnRubies · 05/06/2024 19:45

Year 7 is fine for revaion cards it's good practice for when it matters.

www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/ks3/science/shf31-ks3-science-revision-question-cards

Check these out if you're running out of record cards

Original poster
ArseholeCatIsABlackAndWhiteCat · 05/06/2024 19:24

pointythings · 05/06/2024 19:16

I'm very on the fence about this - IMO in yr 7 they should do their homework properly and that should be enough. But my kids' school taught revision techniques, not just subject matter so that by the time the GCSE curriculum came along in Yr 9, they were ready and had the skills.

If your school doesn't do that then fair enough, just leave her the majority of her holidays for downtime.

Their homework for half term (and this week) was revision. All subjects had a list of what needs to be revised. A few teachers added tips/pointers/powerpoints to follow, but the majority of them didn't. Just a long list of topics from September (some not mentioned since then) until now, which I thought might be a bit overwhelming.

We spent two days doing this. The others, we had a long weekend at a theme park, one day out and about town (and she got a haircut), one day she had a meetup with her friends , two we did the revision notes (she reads through them as and when), a day at a fair with some friends and a totally chill day where we did nothing except chill and watch telly. Grin

OP posts:
pointythings · 05/06/2024 19:16

I'm very on the fence about this - IMO in yr 7 they should do their homework properly and that should be enough. But my kids' school taught revision techniques, not just subject matter so that by the time the GCSE curriculum came along in Yr 9, they were ready and had the skills.

If your school doesn't do that then fair enough, just leave her the majority of her holidays for downtime.

YellowHairband · 05/06/2024 19:14

I think making revision cards etc for a year 7 is probably a bit unnecessary. But not massively so, and I don't think it's a problem.

But your friends' reactions were really weird and over the top. It's not something I'd comment on - it would just be a passing thought in my head of "I wouldn't bother with that". It's very strange of them to have turned it into a thing.

PeppermintPorpoise · 05/06/2024 19:12

YANBU. Getting into good revision and study skills are important and most schools are awful at teaching them. We did similar with all our DC. Paid off too.