To think this is a little unfair

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My son met his new teacher for year 2 yesterday. The teacher has told them in September if they don't get 7/10 on their spellings homework, or forget their reading book or homework they will have to stay in at playtime.

They just seem so.... young

If it works it works 🤷

Too harsh.

If the spellings are properly differentiate then that seems reasonable.

reading book should be in school each day anyway.

Way too young. And will probably lead to behaviour problems if they aren't provided with enough opportunities to move their bodies and play.

@sittingonacornflake that is thing they already have no afternoon break.

They tried that with my year 2 Sen child ( although more if they didn't finish work or for behaviour ). Let's just say they don't do that anymore as it definitely didn't help the latter.

Encouraging good habits can't start too early. This will encourage the children to think about which day is PE, and to pick up their kit and to do their spelling homework. I'd far rather high standards than low ones.

It seems very harsh and unfair to punish a child due to their educational ability (the spellings one). Yes, could be down to not practising spellings at home (but at that age it’s surely on the parent to be practising with the child so harsh for the child to be punished).

the forgetting the homework/book - again at that age isn’t it more on the parent to be ensuring the child doesn’t forget their things? I think in year two I tried to encourage my child to remember/pack their things but they’re 6 or 7 so I’d always check.

Ridiculously outdated education model! seriously yes making children that age conform to sitting quietly for long periods of time - without outdoor time - what possibly could go wrong!

Our school prioritises outside time - children do a few stretches, dance moves etc in their lines first thing - music and a dance off with the teachers some Fridays! It is so important for them to have fresh air, exercise, reset their brains!

Too young and why on earth tell them that now when they are just about to finish for the summer hols and some of them are going to worry themselves sick about it .
Talk about common sense 🙄

Well he would be shit out of luck with my possibly dyslexic child on his spellings demand. (We are waiting for an assessment but they won't do it till she is 7) we have had this week burfdai (birthday) and paspawt (passport)

Reading is always in her bag as I put it in every morning after we have done reading anyway.

Yeah, fuck off with that shit to the absolute far side of fuck.

Why don't they just sit them in the corner with a dunce's hat for the full Victorian school experience?

I don't think my DDs have read a book since primary school, the whole torturous reading scheme and filling in reading records regime put them off reading for pleasure probably for life.

Schools need to Chill The Fuck Out.

Christ what an introduction to a bunch of six year olds 🙄. No need at all.

I think you’re going to have a rough year OP!

I wouldn't be happy with that, children that age really need a chance to run around and let off steam at playtime. There's no way making them miss this will help with behaviour in the long term.

It will also unfairly punish those children from more chaotic homes whose parents won't be running through spellings with the them the night before the test or checking the reading book has been packed.

I think this is really harsh on 6/7 year olds. Some kids will easily learn spellings and some will hugely struggle, even with significant time put in, to get 7/10 every time. It also makes things even harder for kids from chaotic homes where parents aren't helping remind them to do stuff.

It's the type of threat that would have made me so so anxious about going to school, being singled out and made to stay in and other kids all seeing that you did badly or forgot a book or whatever. It also wouldn't have motivated me any more, just terrified me and it wouldn't motivate my DS either.

I wouldn't be happy with that. What if the child was dyslexic- which wouldn't necessarily be diagnosed at that age! It's about the parents too, what if a parent doesn't bother yet the child gets penalised. I'd be speaking to other parents, a group of parents speaking up about it might be better.

This would not motivate my son, it would do the polar opposite. He's the same age.

I would argue that if the school is expecting the parents to do the homework with the kids it's for the parents to reward (or not) based on the results, not the school.

@whereaw I was just so surprised at the timing, my ds has never missed a playtime yet and now is dreading September, I get she is probably setting expectations but she don't know the children yet😡

I’m fine with being strict about bringing in books and homework but less so on achieving 7/10.

Try teaching a class of 34 where a good proportion of them don’t have the necessary equipment! Parents, get your shit together and make sure that your children have what they need, you choose to have them.

The spellings will be differentiated and all special needs taken into account but again parents support YOUR children at home. Why in the UK do parents take such a low view on education and those who try to deliver it!!!

@Seashor but some children will struggle to get 7/10 right even if they try really hard, my son is one of these and often writes letters backwards (eg. A g looks like an e). How will the spellings be differentiated? They are the same for everyone in our class.
Fair enough about the equipment but I think you're very wrong if you really think that kids should lose playtime for not getting 7 right. There have been some weeks I've worked really hard with him and he's got maybe just half right.

Some people are naturally more academic, same as being naturally sporty or good looking. It should be about effort not attainment.

Y2 is limited to 30 usually.

My DD turned out to be dyslexic. The amount of effort we put into spellings and times tables over the years. Both relatively fruitless.

Spellings were not differentiated either.

Spellings shouldn’t be the same for everyone in the class, that’s pointless. They should be words that the child has a realistic chance of mastering.

most classes will have at least three sets of spellings based on groups and then will differentiate further as needed.

@Sirzy they aren't for us, and how does that work for giving the test, splitting the class up and doing different versions of it?

I've taught year 2 for a very long time and would NEVER do something like that. It's very old fashioned. I wouldn't be happy about that at all.