Y2 SATS

[thebird]

DD1 came home from school today all in a tizz about having KS1 SATS tests next week. Apparently her best friend told her as it was mentioned in the school newsletter. The school have been really careful not to mention SATS as they do not make a big deal of it in KS1 and keep it very low key to avoid any stress on the children. In fact SATS have never been discussed with the parents so I have followed their lead and maybe mentioned that they might do a little quiz in the next few weeks but no big deal.

I am annoyed with the school for not discussing it, making a point of keeping things low key and then puttting it in the newsletter the week before.

I am annoyed with friend for telling her DD about SATS which are 'very important tests like Y6 and you must get all the answers right'.

I am annoyed that I now have to deal with my DD who is fretting about tests, cant sleep and wants to practice maths, writing etc. after school and is getting very stressed about it all and its bound to have an effect on how she does.

Arghhhhhhhhhhhh

I explained to my dd that the SATs were really testing how well her teachers had been teaching the class. Therefore, she didn't need to do extra homework as it was what was taught in class that was important. So as long as she tried to answer the questions the best that she could she would not be letting anybody down.

Dd thought it great that it was the teachers and not her who were being tested.

I thought they were all done this week or is that just round here, gloucestershire.

KS2 SATs are this week.

In KS1 the levels are teacher assessed. They will use the tests as one part of their assessment only. It is also up to schools when they administer the KS1 tests.

Yes I think I will try and play it down as much as possible but its difficult when DD is listening to school friends who are making a big deal of it all.

Also do I avoid any 'extra' work or go along with DD who is keen to practice maths and writing now she knows whats coming next week?

Thebird. If she is keen to practise, then let her do a bit, but make it fun. Explain there is no need to practise as the SATS are to test how well the teachers have taught her, but if she would like to do something, that's OK. Perhaps you could play at schools and she could be the teacher and teach you how to do things. (In my experience lots of 6 and 7 year olds love the chance to legitimately be this bossy!!) Maybe you could get her to read (part of) her reading book and take it in turns to ask a question, then the other person has to find whereabouts in the book/page the answer is and read it out. Try and avoid anything that gets her more stressed. (Easier said then done sometimes I know!). You could practise some spellings by letting her paint the words with water on the patio/house wall using an old (and I do mean old because it finishes them off) house decorating paint brush. Deliberately try and aim nearly all the activities well within her competence levels so she feels she is good at things!

Alternatively, if you think she is still bound to get wound up with "practising", then could you arrange some fun after school activities to take her mind off it for the next few days?

Does anyone know when the deadline is for schools to get the KS1 SATS done by?

Most local authorities give schools a date by which results need to be submitted, mid June comes to mind, but it's a while since I did KS1 SATS!

Early July

thanks spanieleyes

June here

treas, I said exactly the same to DD1 . Seemed to do the trick, and is actually correct if you think about it!