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Parents evening to ask or not to ask

11 replies

soph252 · 04/11/2010 16:53

Hi there, just after some advice really. We have our parents evening coming up soon and I am wondering whether I will come across badly if I ask a question about something that is concerning me.

It's I guess nothing major at all and I could easily not mention it, but would be nice to set my mind at rest, However I really like my childs teacher and don't want to in anyway come across pushy or make her wary of me. Also have no other issues at all and am very happy with every aspect of my childs school and how he is getting on.

It's just about groupings. (I know- cringe!)Since the start of reception our children were in sets for maths - based on what numbers they knew when they started school and counting objects. These groups didn't change since. Just into year one now and they have been slightly changed. My child has stayed in group 3 of four - I think anyway - guess I should double check that first.

Anyway my concern is this - 3 of the children in the groups above my child are in their parents words struggling with maths - unable to count to one hundred, write numbers to twenty and add small numbers or count in anything but ones. My child for some reason has suddenly become very keen on counting things adding things up and numbers generally. I appreciate he is not out of the ordinary by any means with what he can do, but taking what my friends concerns are as above - I was surprised to hear that they are all grouped above my child - who can add any 2 numbers up to 100 - mostly just in his head -occasional use of fingers lol, write numbers up to and beyond 100 and often counts his match attax cards - beyond 300 objects and you know the general things like number bonds to ten and twenty, counting in 10's 2's and 5's. Now as I say I am not amazed with this but feel it seemed to click with him recently and am wondering how they can be getting the correct work for their abilities how they are grouped currently?

Now I guess at this stage it doesn't matter too much, but I am worried that they maybe are not aware of what these children are each capable of currently - I am not pushy and am happy for my son to be in whatever group they deem the right one, but I worry that he may get stuck where he is group wise and not be getting the right work or maybe they are dealing with different areas of maths which is is not so capable at currently. Now obviously I wouldn't mention other parents concerns or other pupils, but should I bring this up at all and if so how? Or maybe just leave it and see if sooner or later they jiggle the groups around a bit more as the year goes on? I know it sounds so petty and is maybe better left - it's just niggling me a bit - I am a born worrier though, so maybe just me being silly ;)

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Cortina · 04/11/2010 16:56

I would say what you've said here to the teacher.

Be honest and straightforward about it.

phipps · 04/11/2010 17:10

It clearly bothers you more than you say or will admit to yourself so go ahead and ask the teacher. I am sure she has dafter questions being asked.

phipps · 04/11/2010 17:12

It clearly bothers you more than you say or will admit to yourself so go ahead and ask the teacher. I am sure she has dafter questions being asked.

phipps · 04/11/2010 17:12

It clearly bothers you more than you say or will admit to yourself so go ahead and ask the teacher. I am sure she has dafter questions being asked.

phipps · 04/11/2010 17:12

Oops. Laptop went weird.

NoahAndTheWhale · 04/11/2010 17:15

I would ask. Although you may find the teacher brings it up anyway. I had something similar to discuss at parents' evening about DS and then his teacher told me he was being moved up a group anyway.

MaMoTTaT · 04/11/2010 17:16

I would mention it to her, but bear in mind maths isn't all "numbers" and adding up Smile

hillyhilly · 04/11/2010 17:17

I think you're over analysing it a bit - IMO this type of query is exactly what parents evening is for Smile

Joolyjoolyjoo · 04/11/2010 17:24

You sound like me! I agonised on here about the best way to bring up the fact that I thought my dd needed challenging more with her reading. got some great advice, had myself all ready (hate confrontation, can't seem to get over wanting to please the teacher!) and then in her first breath she told me that dd had been assessed and was to get extra reading as she was at X level! All that stress for nothing!!

Although havign said that, was glad I had my speech/ thoughts well thought out. Don't know about you, but we get 8 minutes with the teacher, so no time to waffle!!

I think you will feel better if you go over what it is you want to say and the best way of saying it that still gets your point across. advice I got was, if it looks like needing furthing discussion, smile and say., "obviously you don't have a lot of time to discuss this now- would it be better for me to make an appointment to talk to you about it another day?" Good luck!

magicmummy1 · 04/11/2010 20:15

Maybe just ask what DS's targets are in maths? If they sound about right, then not a problem. If they're way too easy, perhaps mention to the teacher that he is already doing more at home?

pointythings · 04/11/2010 21:33

I agree with magicmummy, I'd mention that you'd noticed your DS had taken a bit of a leap in his working with numbers (definitely mention the way he is using his Match attax and counting in 2s, 5s, 10s etc. and how he seemed to be enjoying maths suddenly. Chances are the teacher will have noticed and if not, will reassess.
Something like this happened to me with DD2 (it was reading, not maths, she went overnight from sounding out words like 'cat' from recognising on sight words like 'dangerous' and 'friendly' and understanding a long story. All I did was show teacher the books she'd been reading out loud to us, teacher reassessed her the following day and bumped up her reading from stage 2 to stage 7 - and thanked me for telling her.
Teachers are very busy people, but most of them will appreciate an engaged parent who is involved in their DCs education and may well find it helpful that you are flagging this and making their job easier.

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