Year 3 Maths

[Hlglu56]

Interested in advice from any teachers or parents. Child has recently started year 3 and is increasingly complaining about the class being disruptive. Class teacher confirmed this is an issue at parents evening and also stated the class are very behind in maths and they are having to go back to basics. They also said my child and a couple of others have an activity drawer for when they complete tasks as it takes so long for the rest of the class to finish the work set.

I accepted this but now my child is coming home saying maths is very easy and boring. They are no maths whiz kid, perfectly average scores in tests etc but I am worried they are not learning anything new. I am not sure what to do now. I don’t expect the teacher to teach them harder stuff when they’ve got such a difficult class but am thinking I could provide them with a workbook or something to do in class? Or is there anything they could do at home, a maths app maybe? The trouble is I don’t actually know where to start or what they should be taught. My eldest who is much more academic has never complained about the work being easy in her classes.

The CGP books are really good. There are several for each year group, you could just work through them.

I mean, they are, but this situation is bullshit.

Time to go to the head and ask about how they are managing differentiation. Presumably they have Y2 SATS to look at?

There are curriculum linked workbooks in maths and english that are minecraft themed, if that would be of interest. They are great and I've used them with two of my three. I think year 3 is a tricky year, as my son's class is also having issues with maths. The content leaps ahead a bit and many of his class were struggling. Their teacher has said she's put whatever they had been working on aside for a bit longer as they need to get some other things in place first. So we're working through the minecraft maths workbook for his age at home to suport his learning.

He’s in year 3. Plenty of time yet before his GCSEs.

Fully aware that it’s bullshit, but she literally asked for advice on workbooks.

I’m a TA in KS1, if the entire class is behind apart from 1/2 children then I can see the benefits of ensuring they are secure before moving on as the gap will widen even further. No it’s not right that they aren’t being challenged but the issue is unless the gaps are plugged for the majority then the schools data at the end of KS2 will be judged on those that are struggling.

If you want your child stretched and challenged then the best way to do it is to do it yourself in that situation.

Ask to speak to the head about the disruption not being effectively handled?
I would pay for tutoring so he can actually learn and consolidate learning without being disrupted. Look on FB for tutor recommendations

You can have a look at NRICH (Home) which is a Cambridge Uni Maths website with lots of great Maths activities slightly different to your usual that really challenge and get children to think outside the box. If you're interested in tutoring then have a look at Edify Values-Led 1:1 Private Tutoring UK | Edify & Empower. They offer 1-1 face to face and online tutoring in all subjects to children of all ages.