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What to ask from the school for below average DS?

9 replies

ChocFudgeCake · 07/10/2010 17:06

DS, aged 6 and 4 months, says that he wants to work on a field Grinnow and stop going to school because it is too difficult. He is now in year 2. In his Y1 end-of-the-year report, the teachers said that he was below average in English and Maths :(.
He often struggles with homework.
At home I do what I can: I try to help him to understand his homework, I have some books so he practices writing and maths. I don't push him much because he gets very frustrated.
My question is: What can I ask from the school? I want to be prepared to know what to say in the next meeting.
What should they do with kids who are behind?
Thanks a lot!

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tethersend · 07/10/2010 17:12

I think you should make home a stress-free environment- you are right not to push him to frustration.

If he is struggling with his hwk (the idea of homework at 6 yrs old is ludicrous IMO), then tell the teacher as it is set at the wrong level if he is unable to complete it independently.

Don't go to the school telling them what they need to do- ask them what they are going to do, and tell them whether you are satisfied with that.

LIZS · 07/10/2010 17:14

It really depends how far and why. Bear in mind soemone has to be below average for there to be an average. First stage is School Action where he has an IEP wth specific targets to aim for and a regular review of them, with you. Meanwhile the SENCO should observe and work with the teacher to pinpoint the area(s)of difficulty and hopefully work out a strategy to teach him and an environment which works. That might be small group work, one to one etc or altering where he sits in relation to the teacher and board, reinforcement of the task verbally and written down, use of blocks or numberline in maths, diffentiated class and home work to increase confidence and so on

ChocFudgeCake · 07/10/2010 17:30

Tethersend, I never knew that he should be able to do his homework independently! There's no way he could manage.

LIZS, what's an IEP and SENCO?
Thanks both for the suggestions.I'll ask the teacher then what their plan is. And will bring a list with your suggestions if I feel it's not enough.

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Anenome · 07/10/2010 17:36

Tethersend is right of course,..however in my DD's year 2 class ALL the parents help their DC's cmoplete homework. If I did not, then my DD would be doing the same piece for a week!

ChocFudgeCake · 07/10/2010 17:42

The thing is that we do spend the whole week doing the same piece of homework, one bit here and there.Blush

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tethersend · 07/10/2010 17:50

A teacher should not be setting homework for parents to do. Many parents are unwilling or unable to help their child complete homework, and it is discriminatory for those children to be penalised as a consequence.

An IEP is an Individual Education Plan. They are for any child who is struggling and benefits from having individual targets. IMO, every child should have one, so they are definitely a positive thing, and should help your DS and his teacher to make good progress.

A SENCO is a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. They are usually qualified teachers and every school has one. I would speak to the class teacher in the first instance, and then approach the SENCO (perhaps with the class teacher).

The most important thing at this age is to keep learning fun, as to make learning a trial is to set a child up for a lifetime of associating learning with stress, making it aversive. He needs to be set tasks which enable him to be successful, so that he can enjoy learning and build up his confidence; these should be interspersed with more difficult tasks which challenge him.

If he is unable to complete any of the work he is set, it is the responsibility of the teacher to set appropriate work, not the responsibility of the child to do it, or the parent to do it for them. The class teacher may not be aware of how much he is struggling, so letting them know is the first step to take.

Good luck, and please don't worry- a happy child is the goal!

cece · 07/10/2010 17:57

As for homework - spend 10-15 mins tops on the piece of homework. Then stop. Write at the bottom. This took DC 15 mins. He found it very difficult.

The teacher will then know to set some easier work.

If you continue to do it and/or spend hours on it then this will continue.

They really should be able to do it independently in about 15 mins (max) at that age I would say.

tethersend · 07/10/2010 18:05

cece makes a really good point- by helping him with his homework, you may be inadvertently masking his difficulties and allowing the teacher to think that the work is set at the right level.

ChocFudgeCake · 07/10/2010 20:55

Yes. I have been doing that Confused. He does things wrong and then I explain to him and I'm there until he gets them right. So the teacher cannot guess... The other day when DS found it particularly difficult, I did tell the teacher, but she dismissed my worries saying that he was able to do it and questioned him on the spot, DS got some answers right and some wrong.
Ohh sometimes I feel that I'm overreacting and sometimes I feel that I'm neglecting him -a few parents send their children to have extra tuition, but I wouldn't want to go down that path unless it's really necessary.

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