I'm a teacher and happy to answer any questions

[DellaF83]

Hi, I'm an experienced primary school teacher and happy to answer any questions anyone may have.

Do you enjoy working 9-3 and your long summer holidays?

(Joke!!!!)

Hi Della, that is a kind offer. You might find you are inundated! I have a question: what should a child be able to do in terms of English and Maths to reach the expected level at the end of year 2?

Thats nice of you della

Can you think of a geunine question where the answer isn't 'google it' or 'ask your child's teacher'?

In your experience, what percentage of just-turned-9 year olds are unable to walk down stairs 'adult style' without holding onto a bannister? (genuine question).

Evening! What's the best way to help a 6.5 year old learn spellings? He's vg at reading - was free reading half way through year 1 - but is finding spellings quite tricky. Obv don't want him getting bored with the constant repetition. Thanks!

Are you striking?!

Do you find the parent of a child with SEN a pita when they want to advise you on how to get the best from their child? Are you happy to work in partnership with them? Do you write SMART ieps from scratch or do you get them from the bank resources online? How often do you think ieps should be reviewed?

How many kids can actually read or write when they start reception?
When you send homework, how much parental involvement do you expect (again, reception)?
e.g. we've just had home write out a line of 'a's. I let him try the first few, but then started giving him dots to join, and also guiding his hand sometimes. Was I too involved? ie teacher can't actually see what he can do?

brave della! Good luck

What advice would you give to parents on how to prepare their children for starting school?

My DS is only 21 months, but school is all my friends with similar aged children talk about!

Should you teach your children to read before they begin primary school?

What one piece of advice would you give the parents of a child about to begin year six??

Are you ever going to come back to this thread?

What were you thinking when you decided to start this thread?

Good luck OP.

Della - you were up very late when you posted possibly after a enjoyable night out - are you regretting your offer now ?

I expect OP has had second thoughts!

How much do Reception class teachers actually use the Learning Journey type information that Early Years practitioners like myself forward onto them? My impression is that their usefulness is very limited and we are worrying ourselves over them unnecessarily, but that no-one would actually come out and admit it!

I can answer that one 27cats ... not at all. I really don't have time to read 30 Learning Journeys I need a brief summary with any significant information clearly highlighted.

and I don't really need to see what they were doing up to 5 terms ago just what they can do now

Do the children who have an statement with 1:1 specified have that person with them for all of those allocated hours, or do you utilise the extra person in your classroom to help you manage the difficult children who you believe are in more need of support or who have parents who have not shouted so loud?

Thanks mrz, suspected as much.

If a train travels from Carlisle at 135mph, why are sperm whales in any way relevant to my question?