Help - Yr 2 teachers - PLEASE

[indignatio]

In an ideal world, what would you do with a child who has reached (exceeded) the SATS milestones already for yr 2 ?
(if extend sideways - how ?) Assume that there is at least one other in class in the same position.

And what is level 6 in literacy - make any sense to anyone ?

Is there a definative guide to phonograms as taught in Uk primary schools ?

Sorry I have not provided the usual bumpf of the pfb mother, but will do so if requested (it's just that the bitter and twisted angle might emerge if I do at this stage).

interesting you should say not really to socially mature indignatio. My ds1 was the same, very advanced academically but not so good on the emotional/social stuff. He probably coasted yr2 but matured soo much. Unless you have specific problems with the school and your ds is happy I wouldn't worry. His teacher may well be trying to encourage non academic skills.

He does separate work for numeracy and literacy - similar topic but at a different level. He's also on free reading and does extension work if he finishes ahead of the others.

He'll be moving to a different school for Yr3 - he's currently at an infant school - but I don't see there being any problem as he progresses.

If he's saying he 'switches his brain off' then that's something you do need to address with the school. Have you had a parents evening yet this term?

Liz - I was told that level 3 is what he achieved in the (mock) sats papers that he sat at the end of yr 1. Thank you for the link

cat64, I do understand the points made WRT one off papers and teacher POV. More - the "I just switch off my brain" comment.

By Weblette "He does separate work for numeracy and literacy - similar topic but at a different level"

This is what I am trying to understand, in numeracy, how can you do this. In literacy, I am assuming that this means a different standard of work produced from the same standard question. - PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong

ingles2 - my problem with coasting is that this could become a habit and I doubt that he has the maturity to switch back on when necessary.

but that's the point he's developing emotional maturity.
,..I stressed about all this sort of thing. In retrospect I really didn't need to.

But how do you know that he is coasting? I can't find that you have given us any evidence for that. Just because he is on a level 2 a or 3 or whatever already, is not proof that the teacher cannot or will not stretch him.

I have a feeling, reading your post, that I am missing some vital information. Was there a post where you explained what the actual problem was? Or explained that the teacher does not know how to stretch him sideways?

Or if you are asking how to stretch him at home- no need for anyone to coast at home, ever. Just take him to the library once a week.

Sorry, just read the 'switch off my brain' bit. My apologies

This does sound like either the teacher is not letting him do free reading or he does not understand that he is supposed to keep awake and read the more difficult books.

"He does separate work for numeracy and literacy - similar topic but at a different level"

This will (should) happen for ALL children in primary school classes. Work is differentiated according to achievement.
For example...in maths ...addition
Gp 1 Subtraction probelems involving nos up to 10
Gp 2 Same...nos to 20
Gp 3 Same Nos to 100
Extension set will possibly work with larger numbers or problems will be more varied and may require addition, subtraction, multiplication within a single problem.

If the rest of the class are doing addition of two digit numbers, he does three digit. If they're doing the 5 or 20 times table, he does the 6.

In literacy he's given more challenging comprehensions, harder spellings.

infin and weblette, thank you for the examples. ds is rather good at numeracy and I have yet to find two numbers he can't add together. It would be possible to introduce say addition of fractions, but would that not be treading on the toes of future teachers ?

Weblette, he knows all his time tables and can extrapolate them to doing say 568 x 35 in his head - although quicker on paper ! - Harder comprehensions, and more difficult spellings - I understand, thanks.

Cory - reading at home, he has a vast selection of books to choose from. I'm not sure they get much time to really read at school.

If he's doing that at yr 2 then there should definitely be something extra in place for him at school, speak to his class teacher asap.