Resources for L6 KS2 SATs English - esp comprehension

[PastSellByDate]

Hi:

I've posted elsewhere about our recent parent/ teacher meeting (www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/2029136-And-the-prize-for-this-weeks-most-pointless-homework-goes-to?msgid=45904120#45904120) - where basically we were told they want to sit DD1 for L6 English and asked us to do more with her at home.

In particular they want us to work on her comprehension and especially improve how she discusses an author's writing.

They didn't have any notes for us to take away - so that we know what particularly we should be working on and they couldn't suggest any websites. We rather got the impression they were pushing us to buy a L6 KS2 SATs workbook, but studiously avoiding directly saying that.

If parents/ teachers out there have any ideas for useful websites/ workbooks etc... which can help in this area I'd be grateful.

You don't have to be - Heads are legally obliged to ensure children sit tests according to their attainment. Sounds like a courtesy on your school's part, but they don't have to. I'm not aware if any schools near me who ask permission - or of any parents who have objected.

Yeah, I think it was courtesy to be honest. That and I think he genuinely didn't want to put children in who would over stress about it or worry if they didn't pass so was looking it from that angle too.

Thanks all - very interesting and yes, will also see what resources TES has to over.

In terms of the class - and I've posted about this before - this is a single form school that has divided the class of 30 Y6 kids in half. The group DD1 is with is the upper ability group and nearly all the children (about 15 of them) have been told they'll be sitting L6 papers. They spent most of the first term with substitutes and not doing a whole lot. In this term the Y2 teacher was suddenly delegated to providing support for 'more able pupils' and this was presented to parents as Mrs X is 'highly skilled' in English & Maths. DD1 has said that work in class is getting more difficult and more interesting.

In terms of the L6 test - some of the children understand they're going for it - others think that means they are clearly that level. One boy in DD1's class has taken away from all this preparation/ mock testing that he's a 'cert' for L6 (as he informed me at a football match). I hope it's true - his parents were absolutely beaming with pride and he really believes it. I probably am being unfair - but I seriously doubt all 15 are going to achieve NC L6 in English & Maths.

Although I think DD1 has become a strong reader and avidly reads for pleasure, I do have my doubts about whether she's actually working at senior school level. I believe solid L5 - uncertain about the whole L6 thing.

As I said, she's not stressed out about it - but she was there at the parent/ teacher meeting with me to hear she needs to do more about understanding authors use of language when reading at home so is asking me if I've found anything yet.

I don't mind making a start on learning this stuff & it may be helpful ultimately - just odd that I'm left to find it for myself.

Oh believe me, she won't sit it. If they enter her...she might be ill that day. The school know my feelings and should not go against my wishes, esp as she won't get L6!

Then she could sit it when she returns (within a certain time frame). Not saying I agree, just stating the regulations.

You still haven't explained yourself, Pastby. If you made a mistake, please have the grace to say so.

@sassy: Is L6 same day as L3-5 tests (like last yr)?
They'll flip out if you say she's ill for days of L3-5 tests.
Better to firmly make your preferences clear now. HT didn't care if DD sat L6 last yr but she's quite stressed about possibility of DD delaying L3-5 tests (DD was ill on the Monday).

fwiw, PSBD, if your dD is unbothered then I would do absolutely nothing about finding her extra resources. This is a test of their teaching ability much more than about your DD. If they don't or can't teach it, their loss.

The Level 6 papers are probably already ordered. I know we did ours a couple of weeks ago.

Deadline was last Friday.

So much for SATS being a test of the school rather than the child, if you are supposed to be doing all this at home.

Or have they / we done away with that particular fiction?

No parent has to help their child at home if they don't want to, some parents do, some don't. Some schools like to ask parents to help, especially if they know the parent is happy to support. Some schools seem to be going "over the top" somewhat!

I would never ask any of my parents to TEACH a topic although many are happy to support their child in practising a skill already learnt.

Of course many parents support school work, and are happy to do so, and it is right that they do.

But specific extra help to get L6 / strong hints to buy extra books - sounds as if the parents are being asked to tutor for the higher level.

Which is a bit different to supporting a bright child to achieve theier potential in school.

I definitely felt like I was tutoring for a higher level rather than supporting her.

Thanks spanieleyes/ IndieSkies & TallulahMcFey:

Yes - I'm finding the whole thing about preparing for L6 a bit of a strange situation. Not clear entirely whether she is ready (or I am for that matter).

Also I am just really really tired of having to do 'big things' (addition/ subtraction/ multiplication/ division/ blending sounds/ joined up writing/ planning before writing long items/ grammar (what is a noun/ verb/ adjective/ adverb - simile/ metaphor/ onomatopoeia...punctuation...capitalisation) at home.

It does strike me as a bit odd to say X is important for your child to work on - but not provide any opportunity at practice (for which read homework) as a school or any guidance to parents on what to do exactly.

Thanks to MN I've vented a bit and had a few ideas, which also have lead me to other resources. So thanks all.

No grace at all then.

Thought so.

No idea what you are talking about.

You said I had 'tangled' with Mightbe.

I hadn't.

Like I said, no grace.

Well said, PastSellByDate.

Sorry PSBD I didn't realise pointing out the factual errors in your posts constituted being pretty horrible my apologies.

What exactly do you think was 'well said', Cecily?

Was it the bit where PSBD made a mistake and dragged me into something I had no part in?

Or the part where instead of acknowledging it she tried to cover it up with bluster regarding a thread about thread and called me names?

Either way, you aren't exactly covering yourself in glory either here.

PastSellByDate's post at 15.07. I was just gobsmacked that someone should castigate a poster for their lack of grace on the very same thread on which they said, 'what the hell are you on about?' as well as the other snippiness. I don't really care about the details but the general level of rudeness is very unpleasant.

I suggest you read the thread properly then - Past By accused me of something I had no part in.

I responded to the unfounded accusation with 'what the hell are you on about'.

I love that you are 'gobsmacked' and pile in to defend a poster who made an unfair accusation, refused to apologise and called me names because you think 'what the hell' is a rude thing to say to someone who has accused you of something you didn't do!

I am sick of this. I added posts on this thread on the level 6 subject. I was accused of 'tangling' with you when I hadn't even addressed you. It was a ridiculous accusation, and Past By had clearly made a mistake.

When asked to explain, she stamped her feet and called me a cow.

Genuinely baffled as to why accusing another poster unfairly and calling them names is being defended by two posters - why?

So exactly how helpful do you think it was to say that Y6 teachers are out of their depth MightBe?