I am gobsmacked

[Holymolymackerel]

I have volunteered in my daughter's year 1/2 class. (Its a joint class). Today was my first morning.

Firstly, I have no idea how teachers do it, so hats off to them. I only needed 3 hours in the classroom to see it's one of the hardest jobs.

My daughter is definitely average, I have always thought and teachers have confirmed, she is neither Einstein nor behind.

The amount of children that wasn't properly attired for February, don't realise to wipe their nose, wandered around the classroom, fiddle with hair etc. Not listening to instructions, fidgeting, yawning.

The quality of work was also poor. Think basic arithmetic, writing own name.

I was shocked.
Is this what's happening these days? Or did I get a bad day.

Depends on the school and area I guess?

I have a child in Y1 and they are all generally expected to be able to write 7-10 sentences, do basic addition and subtraction, number bonds to 20, read 4 books a week etc etc.

How old are year 1/2?

Y1 are 5-6yrs, Y2 6-7yrs. I have an October baby in Y1 so will be not far off 7yrs old by end of Y1 but will obviously be months and months older than summer born children which does influence things

I think your expectations were a bit high. Yes, 5 year olds need to be reminded to wipe their noses and listen to instructions sometimes. And I still fidget and play with my hair now!

Its classed as a large primary. Ofsted good. Decent nice area with some rough areas. Good reputation in the area.

So I don't understand what you're shocked about?

That teachers have a hard job?
That parents weren't dressing their children appropriately?
That some children are just not suited to the school environment at such a young age?
That some children can't quite grasp the whole reading/writing and maths thing yet?

Im shocked that parents send their children ill equipped for school, cant write their name, do simple arithmetic ie 2 lots of 2. Dont read 4 times a week at home.

I'm shocked that so many pair of hands are needed to cater for the wide range in abilities.

I'm shocked that I was leading a group of children in maths!

I'm shocked that anybody could possibly do a good job as a teacher because so many things are out of control and I take my hat off to teachers.

Some children may have learning difficulties op and may not be able to write there name yet.

How do you know the kids don’t read four times a week at home?

Chariots- because I was given a list of names to read with who haven't been listened to 4 times at home the previous week. The teacher compiled the list from the reading diaries. All but 2 were on the list.

Dark- if that's the case, why isn't support in place. Something has got to be wrong with the education system.

In Scotland children start school in p1 and have been to nursery from 3. Not sure why they need to be able to write their names by then? Long as they get it eventually...Is that not what school is for? Perhaps your class just hasn’t gelled yet and kids need help remembering to wipe noses etc. My youngest for example hasn’t taken to school at all. In p1 he would leave his chair and sit on the floor and generally be quite difficult but he’s ok now compared to that. It’s infants and I wouldn’t judge the kids based on their 5 year old selves. Perhaps if they were 8/9 I’d be hoping things would be more organised and kids know the routine can write/read etc.

My year one child reads every morning and afternoon (by choice) and in the evenings he reads to us. School sends home books but they are dated and terrible. We have zillions of appropriate books at home so he reads those and we never bother filling out the school form.

Only 5 yrs old? Quite normal isn't it?

Dark- if that's the case, why isn't support in place. Something has got to be wrong with the education system.

You do come across as a bit naive OP. This is the impact of Austerity. Plenty of people voted for this. There is so much wrong with the education system now, which is why teachers are leaving in droves. Children who should be in specialist units, receiving far more person centred support, using specific strategies, are left to fail in general classes.

The Tory government don't give a shit. Their children don't attend these schools.

Yup that's what kids do, they fidgit, they yawn, they get distracted. They are still young. I personally don't think kids should start school until around 7 years old.

Ask the school that Holy. It is a long process and won't happen over night
I know I have been through it.

Jesus, a lot of those kiddies are only 5.

I read to my DCs every day at bedtime, but sometimes I forget the school reading books I bet the teacher thinks we only read sometimes once On Sunday night at the weekend

My 5yo is the oldest in her class and couldn't write her name when she started, she can do all the letters now but can't blend sounds or form words let alone sentences.

We read every night before bed but as she can't blend sounds she struggles to make the words out.

Her teacher isn't concerned as she understands that kids tend to pick stuff up in their own time rather than by a guideline.

The amount of children that wasn't properly attired for February, don't realise to wipe their nose, wandered around the classroom, fiddle with hair etc. Not listening to instructions, fidgeting, yawning.

The quality of work was also poor. Think basic arithmetic, writing

You could have written that about my year 11's today. Wouldn't think they had exams in three months.

What you are describing is due to a number of factors - age, area, abilities, parental involvement, socio-economic status to name but a few.

But yes, you have described an average classroom from the sounds of it - a wide range of abilities and behaviours.

I'm a teacher, have experience of teaching all age ranges and when I taught Reception I really did wonder what some parents do with their children for the first 4 years of their life - some children couldn't wipe after the toilet, didn't recognise numbers or letters and the worst I saw was children eating their school dinner by leaning over their tray and eating directly with their mouth, not using their knife/fork or spoon.

DS1 is y3. He didn't read last week as he was recovering from illness, and was exhausted enough without forcing him to read. He hasn't had dyslexia testing yet, but reading takes more effort than he had to spare. (Although I read to him, but that wasn't recorded) He also hasn't met his yR target of reliably writing his name with accuracy. He does however have a reputation for being very intelligent and is exceeding expectations in areas such as maths. He's in shorts because he utterly loathes trousers and I learned years ago that it's really not a battle worth fighting. (Probably sensory issues) He's managed to get to 8 years without hypothermia (he does have a good hat and coat though)
Sometimes there are sensible reasons for some of the things you have observed.

It's the end of term. There have been loads of bugs. Little children are ready for a rest.

Classroom life is hard as there are so many external variables. Some parents are supportive in challenging circumstances... some less so. If SN are involved, y1 is still early days for many diagnoses as children may mature out of areas of concern which may not slip below expected thresholds until y2/3. In our case, dyslexia has been our concern since y1 as his signs are so textbook, but we've had to wait until his 8th birthday.

Can you explain why years 1 and 2 are mixed?