To be fuming that DS got a level 3b in his Y5 SATS reading...

[pippiLS]

…and that his form teacher thinks that this is somehow my fault!!

Some background info: DS had all L3s at KS1, is hoping to get into one of the best Grammar schools in the country (maybe we need to rethink this) and is reading (with me), A Brief History of Time at the moment (just to give you an idea of his reading level). He loves science and is very well informed about material far beyond the curriculum at this level yet he has also performed poorly on his Science SATs paper. Oh, and one last thing, he got 100% in one of his maths papers.

Have arranged meeting with Head and form teachers but not sure what on earth to say. He joined this school in Y5, so just this year (it's a middle school). His final report from his previous school in Y4 was all 4as.

Happy to hear that! Hope your whole family has a lovely summer and you and your son enjoy reading the Hawking book (rather you than me, I have to say, we've got theHardy Boys, Jennings and Roald Dahl at this age ).

I thought the description of the papers sounded familiar! We went through it with DS last year and doing it again this year with DD. I'm a teacher and tutored them both. Shout if you need help.

Thanks Happy36, Roald Dahl is fab.

Oh rollon, is your DS at the purple blazer school?

Oh and Happy36, we gave up on the Hawking book, DS said it made his brain hurt :)

Ah, your boy will be fine. He will get into the grammar or do well at the comp, it should not be so stressful really, should it?

No-he's at the green blazer school! We're by the coast!

Ah rollon, we're miles in the other direction. Best of luck with your DD's application.

Your son is a man after my own heart! May I suggest Jennings books, if he hadn't read them already? They shouldn't feel too young for him and the vocabulary is lovely. They're very funny. My son's just turned 6 so I am mostly reading them to him.

Mine didn't like Jennings, to my sadness. But loved Wodehouse. Once again, good for vocabulary and style.

This is way off topic - but...has anyone read 'A spot of bother'? I haven't, I didn't particularly like curious incident so I gave it a body swerve. DD2 got it from her school library yesterday and came home reading it, and I'm fairly sure it's an adult book with decidedly adult themes and Not Suitable - but before I make a fuss (probably my last ever fuss!) at the school I want to check my facts. I'm fine with her reading adult books, she's read many of the classics, but it looks from the blurb that the themes in this one just aren't suitable for a 10 year old. Although I do think that about twilight too (which all my kids have been banned from reading - if they want vampires then they can read my Anne Rice books if they must - but not at 10 or the later Disc world books). I think wide reading is essential for kids but there really is a limit.

Hakluyt, I've never come across the Jennings books before, he might like those - he likes poetry and lovely vocabulary.

Herc, I've no experience of that book but I didn't like The Curious Incident either.

I love the Jennings books (sadly none of my kids ever showed any interest) - however I suspect that Hackluyts comments about vocabulary and style were more aimed at Wodehouse (certainly stylish. Not so sure how useful some of the vocal would be) rather than Buckeridge... Mind you, if you want to never forget the date of the Spanish Armada, or pythagoras's theorem, Jennings is your boy. Definitely.

OP - what about Shakespeare? My kids are all obsessed with him, and his plays have featured heavily in the Y6 G&T programme where I live (this might just be because there is a shakespeare specialist involved, I don't know - when DD1 was doing it, there was a poet with a particular interest in riddling rhyme doing ..I don't know, Something clever... at the local university and he got involved with the G&T programme and she got involved in some fabulous events as a result. I suspect that each year, the providers go with what they think will be their strength) - but ultimately, shakespeare is great in so many different ways for a Y5/6 sort of child - and they are less likely to be 'scared' of the plays than someone coming to him later...

Interesting that people didn't like "curious incident" my ds is reading it now at 13 and loving it- I don't think I would have given it to him any younger, though.

I just found it depressing and sad. I have enough sad things. I think it was well written but...not for me. DD2 adored it though. Also DD1. Not sure how old DD1 was when she read it, she read it when it came out, can't remember when that was.

herc I found it in my school library and gave it to the librarian to transfer to the sixth form one. Badly written and TOTALLY unsuitable for yr7-11. I think I objected to the crap story more than anything.

I liked Curious Incident but for the 'ASD author' I think London Eye Mystery is excellent.

Damn it- not ASD author- ASD narrator.

Little - DD is in Y6. This was in a primary school library! I'm going to Have Words.

Should one even consider Grammar when one level is 3 something? My DD is year 5 and got 3b for maths...I'm not happy about this...her other levels are 5s and I had now stopped thinking about Grammar owing to the level 3...

MrsWinnibago, it depends how much faith do you have in that level and does your DD feel that it is a reflection of her ability? In our case, it seems that DS's end of term level was 'subdued' due to a blip in a Y5 optional SATs test. Could you go through a KS2 SATS workbook with your DD and perhaps the KS2 bitesize stuff on the computer and see what she does and doesn't understand? With the Grammar application, my attitude is 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'.

I feel it's a good reflection to be honest. She struggles with maths and some of her basics are not "in" securely.

I think I will try the KS2 SATS workbook like you suggest...she's very bright when it comes to verbal reasoning. We may be going off to live abroad though...I suppose sitting the exam would be very good for her in general though. I did apply...we have the info etc.

Meant to say thanks and sorry for hijack!

No worries MrsWinn. Is she good at her times tables - instant recall on all of them? That can help a lot as it frees up 'space' for further processing during calculations.

Nope! That's the crux of her problems with maths! She HATES me trying to help her learn them too! I have tried all kinds of methods. So irritating.

Do you have the Carol Vorderman CD ? DH spend a Saturday morning some time ago with DS doing speed trials with times tables. It really worked! Basically we printed off randomised grids and DS and DH raced to complete them against the clock. Would anything like that work?

No I don't PippiLS should I get it do you think? Is it fun?