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Original poster

Criticism Over Helping DS With Homework...Views Please

56 replies

GirlInASwirl · 28/11/2014 08:57

Parent's evening is coming up and I have to have an uncomfortable conversation with my DS's (Y7) Design Tech. teacher (new to me). Wondering the best way to go about it...

My DS is very bright and is easily clear of academic targets set in all other subjects. I am teacher-qualified and support when needed with homework (as I believe DS has problems with his working memory, concentration, processing of information and organizing longer tasks). I try to minimise my input where I can see he is 'on a roll'.

His tech. grade was two sub-levels below the Y7 minimum target. Assessment was based on a 'Sock Monkey' project over a number of weeks. During this time he came home with very little work to show after each session, little idea of what he had to do/purpose, poor quality samples and so forth. He struggled to talk about what he had learnt in class. I was asking questions about how much attention he was getting and if others were as far behind. There was no feedback from the teacher saying he was struggling.

Half term came and the kids were tasked with finishing their monkeys and also a booklet about the design process. He had so much work to do, but got on with it solidly for the whole week. I also gave him mini inputs along the way; but nothing extraordinary.

Because there was some input from me - his finished product was better than most of his class mates. The teacher sent home a verbal message (via DS - not directly to me) 'Thank you for helping - but your son has to do projects himself'. I sent in a note explaining exactly what I had done and what he had. I would estimate 6-7 eighths was him.

I anticipated that the finished product would have got a level 6. Instead; it got a 4b. I am not sure whether the teacher has marked him down for having support.

This was then followed up by the same teacher going into another class and saying that there was no need for most of the class to see her on parent's evening if they got o.k. marks but (J....) and (my son's name) would have to make an appointment for underachieving'. My son was humiliated.

So what would you say at Parent's evening if this was your DC?

OP posts:
Original poster
GirlInASwirl · 28/11/2014 10:27

Thank you for those ideas Seeline. Yes I was going to start with her explanation of the grade given. If its justifiable after I have suggested what happened at home then fair enough! I am hoping that she is open what we also have to say. The project was all that they did over lessons during term. Basic skills in sessions then onto their creations. The project seemed either very open-ended - or we just did not receive info on the amount of time to allocate -just an end date to present product by and marking criteria (which is how I came up with the level 6).

Yes Rabbit that does sound a bit like DS. What support do you offer your DDs with homework? Would you say it is more intensive than that of their class mates?

OP posts:
RabbitOfNegativeEuphoria · 28/11/2014 10:09

Everything you've written, really! Being very very bright but having working memory issues, organisation problems, concentration (it's not so much the ability to concentrate per se but the easily being thrown off by additional stimuli that can be a dyspraxic trait, also getting flustered), balance and coordination issues are another classic thing.

Seeline · 28/11/2014 10:03

I think you need to start by asking if the teacher can explain the 4b grade, and how your DS can improve on that next time. If there are specific issues that come out of that, tehn you will need to see if there are ways your DS can be supported further.
The project itself may not have counted for much of the final mark, with more emphasis on the terms work. If your DS has been struggling with this, then the lower grade is explained.
How much time should he have spent on the project - what is the homework allocation? I would have allowed my Ds to do as much as he could in the time allowed, with perhaps a little extra to round things off and then sent in a note explaining this to the teacher.

Original poster
GirlInASwirl · 28/11/2014 09:56

Can I ask Rabbit what makes you think it could possibly be dyspraxia? I have been doing my own homework (lol) lately to see if there is something that he might need assessing for. I think he has slipped through the gaps because he is very bright and making progress. He is progressing well because of the joint effort at school and at home. If it was just left to school I think he would struggle. He was on a school action programme a few years ago for his balance and coordination but I don't think they did any formal assessments.

Its difficult because he does not seem to fit the typical presentation for most learning challenges - but I also know that he thinks differently and processes information differently to his friends.

OP posts:
RabbitOfNegativeEuphoria · 28/11/2014 09:20

I'd complain. To the head, not to the teacher. No child should be humiliated like that. I'd also ask to speak to the SENCO, it sounds like your DS might have SpLDs, possibly dyspraxia (I'm dyspraxic as are both my DDs). If your DS is academic and above target in all his other subjects then DT doesn't matter one jot - he won't be doing DT GCSE. It's possible the teacher thinks he is a bright kid who doesn't care about the subject, I expect that happens a fair bit. It's also possible the teacher is an insensitive arse. But humiliating a child is never on.

isitsnowingyet · 28/11/2014 09:03

Mmm - awkward. I'm rubbish at projects like that, often my DC are better, so for me it wouldn't be a problem as I wouldn't have done it in the first place.

Maybe the teacher feels your DS needs to pull his own socks up.

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