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Original poster

To think that 5 lines is enough for a 6 year old?

35 replies

Skinit · 07/04/2011 16:08

DD who is 6 had some homework the other day and it involved writing a report about the school Easter concert.

They get homework daily plus reading and spelling...she can be difficult about homework....we have tradionally had battle about it but with this she seemed VERY keen to do it alone...unaided...so I let her when I would normally assist with it...help ehr spell things etc.

Anyway...it came home today and the teacher had written "Not really enough Emma!"

I'm a bit peeved because for us this had been a step forward...DD wanting to do it alone...and doing it alone....ok it was a simplistic report along the lines of "The consert was good, I lked it, it was exsiting and it was wonderful"

But what do they expect from a 6 year old???

I feel like having a word but know it would look precious...but it was such a jump forward for DD and it gets shot down....

OP posts:
Original poster
Skinit · 07/04/2011 16:20

Anyone?

OP posts:
SpringHeeledJack · 07/04/2011 16:24

have a word.

I home ed 7 yo, and I find writing is the hardest/boringest thing to get dcs to do. After a day at school doing more of the same I would think what your dd produced was more than adequate.

I would explain what a step forward it was for her. And-ffs- surely there'd be a better way of wording it if the teacher wanted more- eg that's lovely, Emma- would you like to write me a bit more about such and such [some aspect of the performance]

Original poster
Skinit · 07/04/2011 16:30

I know SHJ I thought a more sensitive crisitism would have been better....DD is the youngst in year 2 and struggles to write joined up ...but they make them do everything joined-up...which is fine...but it is still tough when you're almost a year younger than most of the class!

OP posts:
welshbyrd · 07/04/2011 16:32

I think homework, spelling plus reading daily is way to much for a 6 year old,

Original poster
Skinit · 07/04/2011 16:34

I know welshbyrd but it's quite an academic school....I feel we've signed up to it and have to put up with it. I also wonder if the tougher approach isn't part of how they get a high standard out of them.

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 07/04/2011 16:34

Sorry that you were upset about it, Skinit, but I think 6 year olds can write more than that. It may be a lot for your daughter but perhaps the expectations of the school and the teacher are that more is required. Does your daughter need extra help? Is there anything that you can do to assist?

I don't agree SpringHeeledJack that teachers need to put more narrative than what she put. It explained the issue and I don't see why it needs to be dressed up and made 'fluffy' when it wasn't harsh in the first place. Perhaps OP's daughter is a chatterbox at school and that interferes with her work?

I'm more inclined to ask a child what it does at school and try to help the child do what the teacher is asking for, particularly in relation to being more descriptive and using different words. That's easy to help with.

PrettyCandles · 07/04/2011 16:39

I think you ought to talk to the teacher and explain exactly what you have told us.

I also agree with SpringHeeledJack that the teacher could have been more positive in her comment.

Yes, perhaps Emma is a chatterbox at school, but if there are discipline issues affecting her work, then the teacher and the parents need to discuss this. Besides, this was not about work done at school, but about homework.

Original poster
Skinit · 07/04/2011 16:39

Thanks Lying....I don't dubt that DD can be a bit lazy...I wasn't sure what IS reasonable you see...she's not having difficulties and they tell me her reding age is around 8 years . something months...forgotten exactly what....I have tried to help her so much and it angers her.....which is why I was so pleased that she actually DID something alone!

Mabe that's a battle only partly won then.

OP posts:
hocuspontas · 07/04/2011 16:40

The teacher wouldn't have put that unless she knew Emma was capable of more. And agree, she doesn't have to couch it in wishy-washy terms. Remember though, she may be basing it on her previous homework that you helped with Wink

Original poster
Skinit · 07/04/2011 16:43

Thankks hocus....I tend to be a bit PFB about her..I hav 2 DDs but still act unreasonably at times! Blush

She's a no-nonsense type of teacher!

OP posts:
Olderkidsaremine · 07/04/2011 16:45

I doubt she is a year younger than most of the class!! And she won't get any extra time at the end of her schooling to make up for being the youngest in the year, so really you should encourage her to keep up - speaking as a mum of an August birthday child!

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 07/04/2011 16:46

Skinit... I don't know any child at all that doesn't have lazy days and it's far too tempted to be surrounded by school buddies and not be able to have a good old chat with them.

I think that it's important to 'push' a child gently into learning new things all the time. It's not always easy for them to learn - nor always comfortable - we all like being in our own comfort zones - but if your daughter isn't to get a shock when she comes to secondary school, these would be good things for her to learn.

If you're not sure what your daughter should be learning, and the stage she should be at, why not have a word with her teacher? I'm sure she would be very pleased to point you in the direction your daughter needs, and probably very much appreciate having a parent discuss progress with her rather than being dictatorial as so many parents seem to be now.

You sound on the ball, Skinit, just don't be put off purshing your daughter a little. A small continued push now can help prevent a giant necessary 'shove' later on. :)

Original poster
Skinit · 07/04/2011 17:52

OlderKid....thanks but she is. There are 11 in the class and she is the youngest by a mile.

LyingWitch I worry that I am TOO pushy at times. I never let her get away with not doing it...unless she's ill. But she really has been a monster about it...so I was plesed that she did this alone....I see though that this was MY battle...not her teachers...she has another battle altogether and I know we are lucky as they push her a lot....they DO encourage and praise when it is deserved.

OP posts:
bubbleymummy · 07/04/2011 18:37

Maybe try to encourage her to write about something she is genuinely interested in to get her into the way of it? A story about a pet or a nice day out with you or a friend or something... I HE DS1 (age 5) and he loves writing stories about all sorts of things and will spend days putting together little books with pictures etc. Sometimes they are based on real life experiences and other times they are based on something he has read in one of his books. Does she like drawing? Maybe adding a few drawings in between the sentences would keep her attention for a bit longer and make it seem more fun?

easterbunnyhopsback · 07/04/2011 18:41

Teachers' expectations of children are often way, way higher than parents'. I wouldn't put that comment on homework (in fact, I wouldn't send a task like that home for homework - just asking for trouble) but I certainly would on classwork.

TheCowardlyLion · 07/04/2011 18:46

TBH, DS was in Yr 2 last year, and judging by the work I saw displayed in his classroom on parents' evenings, what your DD wrote does seem very brief indeed. Certainly by this stage of the year, DS and his peers were writing more than a side of A4 for their report about their trip to a museum, for instance. It sounds as if your DD's teacher is fair enough in her comment; perhaps you need to increase your expectations of what DD should be achieving. It might be worth asking if you can see some of the other children's work to give yourself a clearer picture of what's expected.

worraliberty · 07/04/2011 18:47

I think it's a fair enough comment if the teacher knows the child is capable of more. School is all about bringing out the best in children and challenging them.

marcopront · 07/04/2011 18:58

Did the teacher know she had done it on her own, this time?

If is a lot less than she has written previously the teacher should be concerned. You know the circumstances are different and with that information it is an improvement.

Original poster
Skinit · 07/04/2011 19:06

She has never had t write a report before...it's always been worksheets and little project type things...
Cowardly are you serious? A page of A4 for homework? I know they write more at school.....but at home in addition to reading etc it's such a lot for a 6 year old. I dont think all 6 year olds are capable of that much with no assistance...and our school has always told us they should be able t do it alone. They are very happy with DDs progress in all areas too....r so they said at parents evening a few weeks ago.

OP posts:
bubbleymummy · 07/04/2011 19:08

Is reading classed as homework? Does she not just read at home for enjoyment? Maybe the association of it with school is making it seem more like work rather than something you do for fun iywim?

cat64 · 07/04/2011 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

BabyDubsEverywhere · 07/04/2011 19:12

I didnt think the reading was classed as homework, just as something that is to be done each evening, like dinner and baths for example...thats how our school describe it. My DS is only in nursery and he has a reading book, but wont recieve homework until reception.

onlion · 07/04/2011 19:12

My 6 year old has to do 10 minimum

onlion · 07/04/2011 19:13

Thats year 1 btw

easterbunnyhopsback · 07/04/2011 19:27

TBH skinit, your child hasn't really written about the easter concert, which is probably what prompted the comment. She has only said it was good and she liked it. The teacher, no doubt, expected a few details of what happened in the concert.