Humph. Do I pass comment on this?

[LingDiLong]

Last night was parents evening and my DD (in Yr2) got a glowing report. The teacher particularly mentioned how hard she works, how she puts her best effort into everything and is very enthusiastic about reading. And indeed, every single comment in her reading diary from the teachers is positive. Today she's come home with 2 new reading books and the comment from her last one is 'understanding of the words is very disappointing. Needs to make more effort!'. I'm torn between thinking she can't be perfect all the time so I should just suck it up and make sure she understands everything she reads and thinking they must have the wrong child?? I'm particularly concerned because she's just had a change of teacher. The old teacher did parents evening and the new one wrote in her reading diary.

I'm wondering whether to comment along the lines of 'I'm concerned by this comment - Mrs T said at parents evening her reading was v good and she understood this book when she read it with me??'

Has she gone up a level? My DD always struggles for a few weeks when they put her up. Maybe she just had an off day and not interested? We all feel like that I think at times! :o

If your worried, maybe worth a chat with the teacher :)

This is why effort grades are meaningless IMO.

The teachers cannot accurately gauge how much effort she's making.

I think it would be fair enough to express concern after all positive stuff at parent evening.

I think it's a bit harsh of the new teacher. Maybe she didn't realise how tactless she was.

I always try to write positive comments, and a 'next time' comment if there's something I want the child to focus on.

Tbh, most of my class' parents don't read any of the comments I write anyway. Could probably put anything

The part about 'understanding of words is very disappointing' is a very strange comment. If a child doesn't know certain words, there is an opportunity to teach them the words there and then - but, to consider it 'disappointing' that the child doesn't know the words is just weird!

I would surmise that the new teacher taking over your DD's class is going to be a handful - unless your daughter was totally 'acting up', there was, in my opinion, no reason for such a derogatory comment. It is either tactless or inappropriate - unless, of course, you DD was totally making no effort at all...Do let us know if you have a word with the teacher! Good Luck!

Did you ask your DD how the reading went at school today? I would be interested to see how she thought she'd done and her experience of the new teacher before writing anything.

You are going to come across as slightly mad if you react to any negative comment such as this. If you do this how will you know when your dd isn't doing well or making an effort because the teachers will simply not tell you because your reaction will be negative. The teacher made a comment based on her professional judgement - there is really no reason to call this a 'derogatory' comment - it's just a statement or piece of info.

I have to differ with you Cansu - there is a constructive away to make a comment in a child's book. Unless a child was clearly misbehaving and being totally derelict in their efforts, a comment such as the one above can only be construed as "derogatory". The teacher's comment was harsh and could only be excused if the child was really being difficult - if being difficult, then fair comment!

Could she have been acting up because she liked the old teacher and hasn't gelled with the new one yet? My dd1 always took a few weeks to decide that her new teacher was ok and another couple before she started to hero worship them as much as the old one.

It could be written in the wrong book.
It could be she just lost concentration because there was something fun going on.
It could be her new teacher doesn't like her/children/teaching/anything.
It could be her old teacher is always positive and the new teacher is more honest...

I'd write a slightly surprised comment along the lines of that she had been doing well, was this book harder, and wait and see.

Yeah - I agree with DeWe - a more 'enquiring' comment, rather than an incredulous one, would probably be the best way to handle the matter. At least appear to give the teacher the benefit of the doubt - that way, no offence is caused - then consider the reply you receive.

It is entirely possible that Op's dd was not trying her best and that teacher knew this. if parents support new teacher then OP's dd will recognise this. I honestly think if you get into the habit of analysing every grade, statement or opinion given by the teacher you are going to have a difficult life and will in the long run do yourself no favours. My own dc have lots of SEN issues and I don't get involved in every single little issue that comes up. I trust the teachers or I don't. if you have no other reason to have an issue with this teacher then give them time to get to know your dd, respect their professional judgement and HAVE A GLASS OF WINE! If your dd was constantly coming home with lots of these comments then you could legitimately enquire why she wasn't doing so well.

Woah, woah, woah Cansu, you have got me completely wrong. Completely. I absolutely do NOT analyse every statement given by the teachers and don't get involved in every little issue. In fact I never even called it a 'derogatory' comment?? I'm not sure why you attribute that to me. If you read my OP you'll see that I'm surprised and concerned, NOWHERE do I attack the teacher or even say I have an issue with the teacher!! I don't even get why you're telling me to have a glass of wine. My OP is one of puzzlement not frothing anger.

I actually really like her new teacher, she's not new to the school and was, in fact, teaching my son in the reception until they moved her to year 2 so I know her well, think highly of her and have a good relationship with her. This is adding to my puzzlement I think...she's a lovely lady, never shouty or particularly harsh with the children so I'm very surprised that if my DD has (out of character if her parents evening assessment is to be believed) not put as much effort into her reading as she usually would that she would comment so harshly.

DD really likes her too and I asked her (subtly without revealing what the comment in the diary was!) about her reading with the teacher this week and she claims it went well and the teacher said she was very good. DD is the type of kid to come out of school devestated if a teacher tells her off too so I doubt if she's lying.

Oh and it's not a new level but one she's been on a while with no problems.

I think DeWe and Mummle are right, I'll try and write something enquiring to make sure there's nothing I need to worry unduly about. In the meantime I have made sure she thoroughly understood her reading book tonight.

Overall I wouldn't be worried about her not understanding the book but that is quite a shirty and negative comment so I would be interested to see why.

If your DD is generally hard working in school, then crappy remarks like that will just put her off. My DS1 used to often say he 'didn't know' when he had a shiiiite teacher in yr2, basically he couldn't be bothered because he was brain dead after half a day in her class. We went on to speak to her about him being bored - she suggested we write to Gordon Brown...

Could she have written a comment meant for another child. This happens. My dd had a teacher at senior school who spent the entire 15 minutes saying how well she coped with her dyslexia. She was reading the notes from a different child!