DD is apparently G&T but have some concerns

[1LittlePrincess]

My DD now in Yr1 was apparently placed on the G&T list by her reception teacher.

I was only made aware of this last week at first parents evening with her new teacher. I don't mind that I wasn't informed assume they do this to stop parents making an issue of it.

DD was apparently identified as G&T at reasoning and thinking, or something like that. My concern is that her new teacher made a comment which hasnt sat right with me. She said that DD is doing well etc and that she was placed on G&T by her former teacher, but hasnt yet had the oopertunity to demonstrate it in her new class as they are still in transition from reception.

If DD has been placed on the G&T shouldnt the school be providing her with the oppertunity to develop and encourage her to practice this, or at least provide me with the means to do it at home?

thanks in advance x

Sounds like the new teacher doesn't agree with her former teacher's decision. Ask the teacher what she is doing to assist your child.

"......to stop parents making an issue of it"
and feeling disappointment if their child comes off the list.
The G&T list is fluid and can be constantly changing, especially while the children are at an age where they're catching up with each other, having little learning spurts etc.

LittlePrincess, the teacher didn't actually say that your dd has not been given the opportunity to demonstrate her g&t, only that she has not yet done so. As Paisley says, the g&t list is a very moveable feast indeed. Because in most cases, it is very difficult to judge the genuine giftedness of a 4yo.

Anyway, surely you don't need to wait for a teacher to give you the means to develop your dd's gifts at home? Get her a library card. Talk to her. Involve her in shopping and planning your food budget.

Thanks for that advice cory... however we do this already!

I dont think that it is the case that she thinks DD shouldn't be on it or surely she wouldnt have mentioned it to me at all... the impression that I got was that she meant they havnt been doing anything which would allow DD to demonstate.

Her teacher told me that there hasn't been any assesments yet, and they are all still in mixed groups, other than reading which they are still in groups established in YR.

She did say that DD is above avarage in everything, particually maths which she has a natural flare for.

I just believed that the G&T list was there to give children who are at the top sector for their year group additional support to develop and reach their full potential in a given topic. Prehaps I am wrong and it is just a name on a peice of paper which only exists because the schools are told they need one.

My concern was that there should be additional stuff, and there isnt. Maybe I have got the wrong idea of the G&T though

Thanks

Dd1 is G&T but so far this year has not got any extra/different work as the teacher feels she needs more confidence, she gives dd1 the same work as the other children in her group (the class is split into groups of ability), she feels because dd1 is finding the work easier than the others it will build her confidence (which it has and now she's getting big headed). Dd1 is in year 2 and so far we have had no homework other than reading which she does at home anyway.

I'm not too concerned as long as dd1 does not get bored and is happy (so far so good), she's still very young and there will be plenty of time in the future (as she gets older) for her to do extra work and homework.

I think this early in the school year the children are still being assesed (sussed out) by their teachers and still settling back into school life. As long as your child is happy and not getting bored in the classroom then you should wait a while before getting too worried about there not being enough or the correct work for her.

In that case, I'd say keep an eye on it over the next few months. Will they be split into groups when assessment is over? Like Marne says, does your dd seem bored? Does she appear to be learning new things? Is she happy? If not, have another chat with the teacher.

It can be quite difficult to ascertain the provision they're given - it might be in the choice of groupings, (ds goes with the years above for reading) differentiated questions etc? Reasoning is also not a nice little subject to monitor but covers a broad spectrum so definitely watch for the Maths - do they offer online programs you can access at home like Mathlectics?