DD Hates the Big Write and said she finds most of the work boring, crying doesnt want to go to school etc.

[TheFullMrexit]

Once she gets back into it - she will be much better but - this year ( year 4) she has started to cry - moan and say she hates school. I asked her specifically what she didnt like and she said the big write.

The rules are too strict, she said she hates it - she cant stand it!

She is a good student, enjoys learning usually, top sets etc and a teacher said she was an exceptional writer. All teacher thus far have said they really enjoy reading her work. Its such a great shame this big write is making her feel so bad!

I have tried to give her stuff to look forward too out of school eg, holidays coming, what else can I do to help her make this big write more fun> Ignore the rules being set?

If she is coming home anxious and crying, OP, there is more to it than simply wanting to write something else, surely?

Surely there must be more to this- a 9 year old coming home crying on a regular basis and refusing school because they don't like the rules in a story writing exercise seems excessive otherwise? Is something else bothering her?

no she isn't coming home anxious or crying she didn't want to go back to school after the hols. If she was - then yes of course - I would be thinking its more than the big write.

2ndspopranos - I think its the work in general and probably just mixed in with not being at school and out of it - she has been OK this week.

I think its possible to be good at writing however but not like to be forced to do certain styles.

Big Write is about an hour a week (sometimes fortnightly)

It's possible to be good at one type of writing unfortunately the National Curriculum requires children to demonstrate competency in different types of writing so regardless of whether schools use Big Writing or not there will still be an expectation to write for different purposes.

Children are "forced" to do many things at school. They don't all like everything. It's like suggesting that because a child doesn't like subtracting they shouldn't do it. The issue seems bigger here, as Big Write is mostly fortnightly and not for long and is designed to be enjoyable. In my opinion I think I'd explain to my child that we all have to do things that we aren't keen on sometimes and that's life. I've had the same with my DS and rugby.

In my opinion I think I'd explain to my child that we all have to do things that we aren't keen on sometimes and that's life.

Why would you say that though, rather than "The school wants you to demonstrate compentency in different types of writing, because it's important to know how to do different types, as the different writing is a skill you will almost certainly need in the future." though?

Erm, that's kind of a given.

Agree with anxious, she's old enough to understand that she needs to do whatever the teacher asks, even if she does prefer something else. She is free to write whatever she wants in her own time.

She's best off just doing it. My 2 older girls loathed all that stuff - formulaic writing to order. They loathed that adventurous story writing stuff. Luckily, secondary schools spend a lot of time making sure you can write decent sentence without it involving noun phrases, three adjectives and a sick bucket full of wow words. DS is dyslexic so it was a nightmare for him. Dd3 thinks all of the stuff where teachers try to make it "fun" by using fairy lights etc is sad. I agree.

My own two ended up with A* at A level despite loathing descriptive writing - turns out they can both do a pretty good proper essay. Enough to get a good degree at a top university. Maybe the government should be making sure everyone can read and write before all of the twinkly lights, grapes and ridiculously named WOW words come out to play.

I've been on 2 courses run by Pie Corbett and yes he's good and great to listen to, but openly admits he's aiming for middle of the road achievers to raise standards.

PS I'm blaming the government, no-one else.

Nothing to do with the government ...everything to do with your child's school I'm afraid.

anxious your big write may be designed to be enjoyable but really as a teacher is it such a big stretch to take on board that one pupil may still hate it?

My daughter does not like it. She can write from other perspectives but she doesnt like it.

Arf Going mad I am not worried about her writing skills at all, I am more worried that a child who used to burst with enthusiasm over lessons and love learning is now bored and not enjoying it - which I understand she needs to learn to live with.

No, I've already said that not all children enjoy the same things. However, for an hour a fortnight, as part of the curriculum, it's a little precious.

There is more going on here than hating The Big Write.

Definitely.

anxious I feel your taking my DD dislike of this fun wonderful big write personally. I don't understand your comments . How on earth would you know what other writing they had to do. I asked her what about the school work she didn't like and she mentioned this BW, I am sure there are other areas of work she also dislikes.

She has however been fine this week she seemed relieved when I said - make sure you can do what they ask but otherwise do you own thing in the BW.

BTW I used to utterly dread Maths, I couldnt do it - however and used to dread it - hours wasted staring at sums, many pupils cant stand school full stop, its really not a huge stretch.

We've never had any homework to prepare ds for big write. All I know about big write is that he's done it, ds hasn't gone into great deal about it. I feel I should know more, should I ?

It shouldn't be a big deal. Big Writing is a lesson set aside to write at length. The idea is to make it special which is why some schools choose to have soft lights and music. It can involve special pens and paper and treats.
Schools may send home Talk homework the night before or collect interesting vocabulary over a period of days. As you can see there isn't one set formula so I'd not worry if your

son hasn't mentioned it.

You think it's ok to tell your child to ignore the teacher and just do whatever she wants?

I'd suggest homeschooling, but I doubt that would do your child any favours either.

I think primary school has probably changed a lot since you were there. I'm sure my class would all hate school if I made them stare at sums for hours on end. That's not learning. I have 32 6 and 7 year olds who all find learning a joy - if they don't like something or the way it's taught, we change it and make it fun. According to all my parents, every single child loves coming to school which is what I set out to achieve. So no, not all children hate school or something about school. The only aspect mine hate are the ridiculous tests and I hate them too.

It doesn't sound like your daughter will flourish if you're actively telling her not to participate as instructed. I agree that homeschooling or a different school would be a good option for you.

I can understand where you are coming from. But I don't actively encourage my ds to ignore teachers' instructions.

Recently had conversation with his teacher, re: writing, and she said he is so much more capable but just doesn't put effort in it. I took on board what she said, and spoke to my ds about it. Up to him after that.

It is difficult, you want happy child, but telling your child to ignore the teacher's instruction this early stages of learning may lead to even more worse situation in the future.

There was an article in the news this week about a former teacher and author who failed last year's English Sat. She firmly believes the over emphasis on grammar and punctuation kills creativity and I couldn't agree more.
Irvine......spot on post about creativity.

My DD 14 has been home schooled for about half of her education. She hated The Big Write! She is in school now, is in top set for English and loves writing stories. She is working way beyond GCSE level and is considering studying English at University. Children develop at different paces.

I was a primary school teacher before I home educated/flexi-schooled my four dcs, so I've seen the other side of things as well.

What I find is a kind of arrogance from a small minority of teachers that schools know it all, have all the answers and woe betide anyone who dares not like the wonderful fun activities on offer.

I have recently taken my DD 9 out of school to home educate her again, as during the two years she has been in school she has lost her love of learning and sees work as a boring chore.

The reality is school is not the best place for all dcs to learn. I'm also aware not many people are in a position to home ed, but it does tend to be viewed quite negatively on here, when for some it is the best option, short term or long term.