Is it the teacher's job to ensure your child enjoys school?

[TheFlyingOnion]

If a very undermotivated pupil hates school, is it up to me to make him like it?

Presuming the work is interesting, informative, relevant and correctly differentiated, is it my problem? What else can I do?

[TheFlyingOnion]

opportunities for open ended problem solving would be great

Unfortunately I'm 1:14 with an ability range from can't-count-to-10 to child genius...

ideas??

[Fairenuff]

It's tricky but can be done. The class I support is 2 to 30 with a similar range of ability. You could have a special focus on 3 children per day. Plan differentiated problem solving activities for the whole class, then move between the groups of children questioning the 3 'focus children' in particular.

By the end of the week you will have detailed assessments of all of them. You still give time and attention to the others but more questioning and recording of specific children. You many even find time for 5/10 minutes 1-1 with each of the 3 children whilst the class have some choosing time.

If the children become aware that you are 'favouring' certain others, let them know you want to have special time to talk and share ideas and everyone will have their turn. They might even enjoy the chance to 'show off' to you,

I hope some of this makes sense to you.

[Doodlez]

Outside, ouside...get the children outside! Works like magic and refreshes everything, especially for boys! Plan some lessons in the fresh air next week - weather supposed to be beautiful (Indian summer it said on the news!)

see here for article about boys/school/being outdoors

[Feenie]

Venn diagrams in the playground with differentiated tasks and big chalk circles. My Y2s used to love that.

[sunshinewanted]

Sorry but i would certainly not disbelieve the parents if they say their child chooses to do sums at home. Mine has totally refused to do anything at school at times (most of last year) but can be incredibly focused at home as he likes to do the activity of his choice at the time he wants. Absolutely nothing to do with being pushed.

[adelaofblois]

Do you have a TA in class (many private schools don't). Or someone else who can tactfully follow him and understand why he isn't performing to what his parents claim is his capability?

And ask his parents to show you work from home, use these resources in class if appropriate, then you have some grip on whether the school environment is the problem or the work set. How is his creative writing at home and school-this is surely the most obvious already produced open-ended task to judge from? And if you do use worksheets (because, I suspect, other parents would be eating you alive if you didn't) do just set higher level sheets (if the parents are right he may very well not be doing the lower sheets because unengaged).

Above all, I think you do need (as your original question suggested) to think beyond the classroom and its activities. I think you should (and can with class sizes like that) budge a little and just try and give the parents what they want if it doesn't mess everyone else up. My priority would be removing the child's exposure to the 'school isn't challenging enough' mantra at home, and changing it to one which runs 'why aren't you doing this at school then?'.

[SamsungAndDelilah]

mine choose to do sums at home. Ask for them before bedtime. I only allow them sums if they've been good, and then strictly ration them :o

kids think they're a bit like sweeties!