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This years homework and spellings significantly easier than last... WWYD?

3 replies

Goandplay · 18/09/2012 16:13

Spoke to yr3 teacher about DS's homework. It was very easy (DS took 5 minutes to complete). When I mentioned this to a friend from the same class she showed me her DD's homework (they have always had different homework as she generally works at a higher level to my DS). I gave this homework to my DS as well to see if he could comfortably complete this. DS managed this work with minimal help from me, I suggested how to set the homework out and reminded him about capital letters.

When DS handed the homework in I sent a note in asking to speak to the teacher about the work. When DS came home with the next lot of homework the additional work he completed was not marked and not in the folder. I approached the teacher and she said he wasn't meant to have that homework. I explained that he managed the homework and she said that he hadn't used the questions in his answers and she was trying to assess where each child was as the information that came across from last year was conflicting. (My friends DD also answered the questions with using the questions in her answers).

To be honest I felt like she has fobbed me off but I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Today DS has come out with his spellings: I, the, and, this, had. Last year his spellings were more complex than this.

Lastly we have been sent out an achievement card for times tables with no indication on how we are supposed to teach them the times tables.

What should I do next? I am concerned that DS will slip behind and the teacher is assuming he is at a similar level he was when she first taught him in yr1.

I am not sure going back in to talk to the teacher will achieve anything as it hasn't so far. I am considering a more formal approach.

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Hopeforever · 18/09/2012 17:52

It is possible that your aproach to the problem has put her back up slightly so tread carefully.

We are only 2 weeks in, she will soon get the hang of how much he can already do.

I ind that the start of the autumn term has easier homework as the kids get back into the swing and then it gets harder

Nottigermum · 18/09/2012 18:04

I think it's important to give the teacher a chance to get to know the class and the pupils. DSs's homework is very, very easy now, but I know that by Christmas it will get more challenging. I wouldn't be happy if first week back at school, the pupils would get very difficult homework that would take hours to do and put children off.

Maybe the teacher is going over some of the easier high frequency words to go back to basics. Many children 'forget' a lot of what they have learned over the summer.

And there's nothing stopping you from doing extra work with your kids at home.

DS1 in year 2 had the following words last week: animal, more, anymore, many and then.

DS2 in year 1 had: The, I, it, mine and more.

As for the times tables, I am sure that there will be some information about it soon. They have all year to learn them. We haven't received anything yet for DS1 in year 2.

Goandplay · 18/09/2012 20:40

Thank you. I'm a bit hormonal and probably needed some perspective.

Parents evening in October, I'll wait and see what happens up till then.

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