Adjusting to a very strict teacher

[halfoneandhalfanother]

DS is 7 and in P3 in Scotland, so we've been back 5 weeks now. He is obviously tired which I know isn't helping but he doesn't like his new teacher.

TBH I think part of the issue is that he had the same teacher for P1 and P2 and she was possibly too gentle (e.g. he always writes his name in full capitals and I kept trying to get him to do it properly, but he'd always say 'well Miss lets me do it!')

From the work that's being posted on Seesaw the new teacher is really working them. DS has also told me that he had to re-do pieces of work during the afternoon if it wasn't up to her standards.

75% of me thinks that this is actually good for him. I am keen to back up the school, but I don't quite know how to acknowledge the unhappiness

yes he is a pfb

he always writes his name in full capitals and I kept trying to get him to do it properly, but he'd always say 'well Miss lets me do it!'

This is the problem really. You can explain to him that when he was only little people were happy to let him do things his way, but now he's older he can understand better and needs to listen how he has been asked to do it.
My ds had the same transfer from preschool where "Come and draw a picture?" the answer "no" was acceptable, and in year R when it wasn't.

I would stick with the "oh it is hard to change, but you need to do as she says" sympathy. Ds took a few months to really acknowledge the quickest way was just to do it, but your ds is older, so it'll be much quicker I'm sure.

My DD had a very strict teacher going into P3. There were tears before the start of term. By the end of the school year she adored that teacher. There was no nonsense in the class but she was as fair as she was firm. It was good learning for her. Never judge someone before you get to know them!

@halfoneandhalfanother
75% of me thinks that this is actually good for him. I am keen to back up the school, but I don't quite know how to acknowledge the unhappiness

It's 100% good for him. He's unhappy because more is being expected of him and he's having to work harder. He's out of his comfort zone and, educationally, he absolutely needs to be if you want him to progress.

Once he has adjusted to the higher and necessary expectations, he will be happy again. He will also be a much stronger learner and have a greater sense of pride in what he is capable of.

That is the route for you to go down. You reframe the discussion:
Yes, you're working harder and look how well you've done because of it.
Wow, I've never seen you write as good a piece as this.
Let's look at what you did last year - it's amazing how much progress you've made.
Etc.

You are all very sensible and much better at putting feelings into words than me!

I’d be concerned about the having to re-do work if it wasn’t up to her standards - are the children given clear explanations of why something needs to be redone? Are they expectations they are actually able to meet, or that further their understanding in some way? A strict teacher can be a great thing, but not if the strictness becomes unduly punitive or hectoring. At seven they are still so tiny, they need a loving and gentle teacher who sets boundaries and expectations, but in a way that brings with it security, not fear.

@twobarnsmammisonthebus
I’d be concerned about the having to re-do work if it wasn’t up to her standards - are the children given clear explanations of why something needs to be redone?

I can't speak for this teacher but, at this age, one of the important skills that must be taught is the ability to redraft and, in doing so, make editations to improve your work. The 're-do' may well be as simple as that.

[quote Iamnotthe1]@twobarnsmammisonthebus
I’d be concerned about the having to re-do work if it wasn’t up to her standards - are the children given clear explanations of why something needs to be redone?

I can't speak for this teacher but, at this age, one of the important skills that must be taught is the ability to redraft and, in doing so, make editations to improve your work. The 're-do' may well be as simple as that.[/quote]
Of course, but if that is the case here, then it doesn’t sound as though it has been communicated well to the children...

He did admit that the second time round he did whatever it was 'much better,' so I left it at that. He can be less than conscientious (as I saw for myself during 'home learning' )

He definitely isn't afraid of her, but definitely is much warier of her than he was his previous teacher.

P3 teachers tend to be far stricter, in fact usually p2 comes as a bit of a shock too so I likely hadn't helped that he's had 2 years rather than one of the super soft ones. Also p3 is when the more formal learning begins so that's also normal for expectations to rise - it's unfortunate that he's not been prepared for that by the previous teacher but he'll adapt. It sounds like the teachers expectations are well within his capabilities, he's just been getting away with not doing it for a while!

I’d be concerned about the having to re-do work if it wasn’t up to her standards - are the children given clear explanations of why something needs to be redone?

Oh cmon, kids don’t listen sometimes, or they can’t be arsed and do it as they please, put in min effort, trying to blame the teacher and assuming if communicated correctly all kids are little angels who do it right first time is nonsense.

And the fact he did it right the second time proves it.

Re doing sloppy work
Or re doing work pitched way too high for him?

Keep an eye on the situation

I was a soft soft teacher
Maybe too soft

Some teachers are great - strict start of term then they reel it In a bit

Maybe mention it next term if it continues??