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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Maths levels at schools - do they stay put for the year?

14 replies

maggiethecat · 19/10/2010 22:45

Dd (yr 3) has struggled a bit with maths this year. Teacher recently moved her into group that needs support. Seems that she understands concepts and has good grasp of maths operations and times tables. But she gets herself into a bit of a muddle at times. I think her confidence in maths is low and have heard her say she hates numberwork. I've also heard her say that the new maths work is very easy.
I will support her at home and try to build her confidence but am concerned that she could get quite comfortable with the 'easy work'.

Do teachers assess improvements and try to stretch them/move them up accordingly (or is this asking a bit much?)

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WriterofDreams · 19/10/2010 23:00

Most schools assess the kids every half term and move them accordingly. I am a special teacher brought in to work with children like your dd in year 6 - kids who are bright but a bit muddled. One kid is just about ready to move into another set (sob, I don't want him to go). They might not move so quickly in yr 3 due to slower movement through material, but if her level does move up she should be moved to a higher set.

Original poster

maggiethecat · 19/10/2010 23:06

Good to know that. Think she goes into panic mode easily. But she'll surprise me on occasions like recently I said to her 'they've rescued 17 of the 33 miners, how many are left to be rescued?' - and she could work it out.

I want to just give her a cuddle and assure her that she doesn't need to panic over formal learning.

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WriterofDreams · 19/10/2010 23:09

Totally agree maggie. She just needs the basics and TBH if she's able to answer a problem like the one you asked I don't think there's much to worry about. Lack of confidence is a huge huge barrier to learning so keep encourage her and remind her that a lot of people who have great interesting lives struggle in school. Bill Gates doesn't even have a degree!

Teacher401 · 19/10/2010 23:11

There are also lots of teachers who have moved away from the whole 'sitting in groups' every single day method of teaching.

Original poster

maggiethecat · 19/10/2010 23:15

What do they do instead?

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Sobha · 20/10/2010 19:16

what about some online maths games - would tht make it fun for her and maybe take away some of the association with formal learning?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/10/2010 19:20

This was one of my biggest gripes about grouping in primary. DS needed to be moved up into a higher maths set ( the teacher had assessed and had decided ) however, he could not move up until someone was moved down. Consequently he never moved in a whole year. The teacher tried to compensate by setting him extensions activities but he was bored senseless.

mrz · 20/10/2010 19:26

Why couldn't the teacher expand the group if he needed to move up?
One more child doesn't make any difference

mrz · 20/10/2010 19:29

maggiethecat Tue 19-Oct-10 23:15:02 What do they do instead?

They let them sit where they want as long as they get on with their work.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/10/2010 19:45

Happened to him in spelling groups too. I suppose there is a limit to a group, but it was v annoying.

Doesn't seem to happen at senior school though. Groups seem more flexible.

spanieleyes · 20/10/2010 20:15

Some of my groups are self selecting, the children ask if they can work with, say the group above their usual group on a specific topic they feel confident with or the group below if they feel they need more consolidation. I find the children are very self aware of their strengths and weaknesses and very capable of assessing the level of work they can access. They can either physically move table if they wish or stay where they usually sit but work on the llevel of work they want to.

Original poster

maggiethecat · 20/10/2010 21:04

When I spoke with teacher at parents' evening and expressed my concern she acknowledged the tension between working on building a child's skills and confidence and trying to stretch them. I think the former must take priority but I'd like to feel assured that the teacher can judge when the latter is required. I suspect that in a class of 30 it can be difficult to do.

Not sure exactly how it all works bcos it seems that she is in a group that needs support but gets the homework of the more able children. It could be that bcos she started in the more able group they've forgotten to change her homework now that she's moved

What Ratherbeonthepiste describes sounds awful for a child - hope this is not how schools work generally.

Spaniel, that sounds like it requires much maturity of the child - what age group are you talking about?

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spanieleyes · 20/10/2010 21:07

I teach yr 5/6 so yes, they are a (reasonably) mature bunch.

Original poster

maggiethecat · 20/10/2010 21:08

Thanks Sobha, I've looked at past threads and had a look at some of the sites mentioned - will have a go as she's always ready for some fun

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