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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that teachers need to teach stuff and not me.

317 replies

caroline161 · 17/10/2019 21:52

DS has just started at Grammar school. Ridiculous amount and type of homework. For example: Learn about Archimedes principle, explain what you have found. AIBU to email the school and say, " I would appreciate it if you could teach him this instead of me and what the f are you doing all day which means that I have to teach him Archimedes principle"

OP posts:
MitziK · 17/10/2019 22:06

It's simple. Put a 1kg weight into a volume of water (like a bath). The 1kg weight displaces (takes up the space) of 1kg of water. The water increases in volume by 1 litre (a litre of water weighs 1kg).

As a result, you can work out the weight of something by looking at the increase in volume, which, for larger, multiple or irregular items, is a lot easier to do than weighing the item/s.

MaderiaCycle · 17/10/2019 22:06

Google is your friend

recrudescence · 17/10/2019 22:06

You’re right. Outrageous! Contact the headteacher, the board of governors, Ofsted and your MP. Escalate to the Supreme Court if you need to.

Kaykay06 · 17/10/2019 22:06

Can he not keep researching, find an explanation he understands or go and speak to the teacher and explain he’s not getting it and he needs help?.
There are certain things I was good at at school that I can help my kids with but there are things I don’t know so I redirect them, school isn’t asking you to teach him just to find out about things.

weeblefeet · 17/10/2019 22:07

Yes please email the school, it will give them a laugh if nothing else

AdoraBell · 17/10/2019 22:07

If you cannot help like you’ve said in your last post then use the internet and see if you can get appropriate resources.

The homework is for him to research etc but you are his parent and most parents would support their child rather than expect the school to cover everything.

Original poster
caroline161 · 17/10/2019 22:07

Btw I'm not doing it for him because I can't, thats the point. I'd love for him to be taught in the lesson what he needs to do at home.

OP posts:
Letsgowalking · 17/10/2019 22:08

If an 11 year old genuinely needs it explaining how to use Google to research a topic (and I dare say a teacher did this for them in class) I really would be questioning their suitability for grammar...

Xalia · 17/10/2019 22:09

I get the feeling that this post is a not too subtle way of being proud and show-offy that DS has got into grammar? And so you should be Smile
Nothing to do with homework.
Could be wrong of course?

Original poster
caroline161 · 17/10/2019 22:09

And volume is enormous , he currently has 9 pieces of ongoing homework.

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 17/10/2019 22:09

It’s called flipped learning. You set students a task and shock, horror, they learn a concept independently. Ok for some subjects, too tricky for others.

iamkahleesi · 17/10/2019 22:10
chemicalelephant · 17/10/2019 22:10

Added to which, the Archimedes principle is hardly rocket science.

No, it's hot air balloon science.

Original poster
caroline161 · 17/10/2019 22:11

Yes he's a thicko clearly out of his depth, I thought as much about him and me last weekend when we were in the middle of it all.

OP posts:
KTheGrey · 17/10/2019 22:11

Well he can Google Archimedes Principle, make notes to show he isn't skiving and take it in to school and make the teacher explain it (which hopefully is the teacher's plan). Pezz is new to me; sounds like PEEZE (Point, evidence, explain, zoom, explore) but obviously not ... Secondary learning is a series of codes, and a bit of a sharp learning curve at the start, but it will fall into place.

JonSlow · 17/10/2019 22:12

I'd love for him to be taught in the lesson what he needs to do at home.

A lesson on how to use fucking google? Fuck me sideways with a badger....

apacketofcrisps · 17/10/2019 22:12

Get off Mumsnet and google it ffs.

Mishappening · 17/10/2019 22:12

9 pieces of homework is definitely too much.

I know it is hard when you want to help, but maybe he needs to just do his best at it himself - and you answer any questions you can - but then go into school with what he can do. The teacher needs to know the level of work he is capable of in order for her to help him best.

It is sad that he is already feeling under such pressure. It is not good for these poor children to be put under stress. If he cannot manage these things the teacher needs to know that.

Smileyaxolotl1 · 17/10/2019 22:13

He seems to be taking up a place at that school that could be used by an actually bright child.
Was he heavily tutored to get into grammar by any chance?

Wheat2Harvest · 17/10/2019 22:14

I would have considered that normal. If a child is attending a grammar school they are going to be stretched academically.

slashlover · 17/10/2019 22:14

I googled and one of the first things which came up was youtube.

MonChatEstMagnifique · 17/10/2019 22:17

You would be unreasonable to tell the school that BUT if having read it he doesn't understand it, I would get him to copy and paste some info and diagrams from Google to take to school. Get him to watch a YouTube video on it to show willing and homework done. Don't get worked up about it.

eddiemairswife · 17/10/2019 22:17

Archimedes Principle states that 'in a right-angled triangle the squares on the sides about the right-angle equal the square on the hypotenuse'.

Original poster
caroline161 · 17/10/2019 22:17

Thankyou to the one kind person. I shall think of the rest of you as we drown in this weekend's homework and will consider moving him if he can't keep up with it all. As so many of you have rightly pointed out no idea how he passed perhaps they got him mixed up with someone else.

OP posts:
Barbie222 · 17/10/2019 22:18

I think this is par for the course, sorry. It's a steep learning curve in y7 whichever school you are in. It being a grammar, there will be parents whinging that this is far too easy for their gifted moppets too. The Archimedes principle is a good one as it can be explained simply or with a lot of elaboration - its a well differentiated task.

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