Massive problems with dd2’s teacher

[madnessitellyou]

Dd2 is in y4. She’s a quiet, sensitive soul who is often overlooked (never star of the week etc). In some areas she achieves highly but is never given praise. She’s come to hate school.

One area where she really does struggle is maths. I’ve mentioned the terrible time we have doing maths homework on numerous occasions to be told “there is no problem, she’s fine and just needs a positive mindset”. That’s a lovely thought but the teacher isn’t at home with us dealing with a sobbing child who cannot grasp fractions, for example.

Last week the teacher collared Dh at drop off to tell him dd is having huge problems with maths, they are very concerned and are moving her away from sitting with friends in class because she relying on them too much.

I couldn’t make parents evening (please no judgement; we simply couldn’t get there) so on the return slip I asked if there was any way the teacher could call for a 5 min chat. I’ve written similar notes on half completed maths homework. Dd is at after school club five days a week; I don’t often see the teacher (who has also told the class to tell parents to stop complaining...).

I spoke to the deputy head last week who felt that this entire situation is unacceptable - especially as I have been told there are no problems then suddenly there are - and has arranged a meeting for me with the teacher next week.

How do I tackle this? I want to support dd but how can I if the teacher won’t accept there’s a problem? It feels like it’s too late now

[Orchidflower1]

Have you had your meeting @madnessitellyou - how was it?

[madnessitellyou]

It’s tomorrow, thanks for asking. I’ll report back.

[Ladon20]

Mathsfactor about £10 a month and very much worth it IME

Khan Academy is american but free and bitsize has some stuff on this.

It's probably a mix of talking again to school and doing extra work at home - clear explanations and practise.

We get free access via the school to mathlectics and they now have lots of practise questions and well as quick challenges - maybe check if there is anything like that.

[TreeClimbingCat]

The maths homework being provided is based on what they have already covered in class so it is expected that your DD can do it. Clearly if she can't then she may have got the answers from her friends, hence the more watchful teacher and the subsequent move.

I volunteer in year 4, we always tell the children that they are not helping someone by giving them the answer and that they are all at school to learn. There are no issues asking to be talked through the topic or the question again. I regularly help about 4 children who literally just freeze when you say it is maths. But I also helped 12 children out of a class of 30 when they came across a particularly tricky lesson. The teacher helped another 10 whilst also dealing with the more able children.

To boost confidence with some children I have told them how amazing they are at maths and they just don't know it. So I have written down a huge number usually in the millions but the digits are small such as 1,352,461 add 2,426,218 and got them to add it together. There are no carry overs so this is straight forward maths for them. They are often amazed they can do this and it makes them feel good about maths.

Physically using things to cut up for fractions is good. Playdoh which can be cut and put back together is good. Plus it's fun making shapes.

In the meeting stick to facts, she is upset and struggling at home.

[madnessitellyou]

So, had the meeting.

It turns out that dd absolutely isn't behind at all. What has been happening, however, is that she's become overwhelmed by the challenge material that she's being given. They are actually going to move the entire class round.

I wish this had been what the teacher had said to dh originally!

[Orchidflower1]

Glad everything was ok in the end OP.

[Maccapaccagonemad]

You need to work with the teacher not against her. Shes dealing with x30 chn in the class.
Hit the button is a good website
Cgp books
Save up for a couple of tutor sessions when you can
If your dd is in full time after school club make sure weekends are quiet and restful so she has plenty of chances to rest and unwind ready to focus for the week ahead

[madnessitellyou]

I’m not working against the teacher and dd isn’t behind: it’s challenge/stretch material where she’s struggling and it’s affecting her confidence.

I’m not sure of the implied correlation between after school club and struggling with harder maths. She gets plenty of chill out time.