Open evening with Y1 teacher next week. What would your best 3 questions be?

[taffetacat]

I find it tough as I have a ten minute slot and want to get as much out of the time as possible. I don't want to irritate the teacher or insinuate I don't think she's doing a good job, but......

DS is in a split year 1/2. He is Y1 but is at top of class with another girl for Y1 reading, but I saw the girl's mother last week who said what did I think of the teacher restricting the number of books they were given because otherwise they would get through them all and by the time they get into Y2 there wouldn't be any left. .

Really don't understand this but don't want to come over dissatisfied to teacher. Need a question about this but not sure how to word it.

Also DS has told me he's in with the Y2s doing literacy and maths. I'd like to ask a question about this.

I'm also thinking a question about behaviour/socialising - no issues here as far as I am aware of. And maybe one about what more I can do at home? And let her know what I have been doing? Or is this a bit teacher's pet?

I don't want to bugger it up. What questions would you ask?

Don't worry - you can't bugger it up, and if you have any concerns still stewing away after the meeting, most teachers would be happy to discuss them at a seperate session after school sometime.

I'd be tempted to listen to the teacher to start with - they may have something to say which either covers what you want to know, or which completely surprises you and alters the questions you want to ask.

Not sure from reading OP what it is you want to know about reading and numeracy. Is it that you would ike to know more about where your DS will be going over the next term?

As to behaviour, just ask how your DS gets on with the rest of the class and if he is settling ok in the more formal teaching routine of Y1.

I'd only talk about what you are doing at home if it directly complements what your DS's teacher is talking about - or if you think that it may be in conflict with what she is doing.

I have taught a mixed Y1/2 class in the past. It is normal for some Y1 pupils to be taught with the Y2 pupils and vice-versa. The children in a mixed age class tend to be grouped by ability/need rather than age. Schools with mixed age classes tend to work on a two year cycle so that topics are not repeated. Therefore your son will be stretched when he is in Y2. The teacher is likey to reassure you that although he is working with some Y2s this year, there is plenty to be done next year! I often had Y1 pupils working at level 2C/B with some Y2 pupils. This meant that I was expecting them to work at level 2A/3 in Y2. This is beyond national expectations for Y2s but well within the normal differentiation expected in a Y1/2 class.

Perhaps ask the class teacher if there are any particular areas that you could support at home. For example, reading or writing.

Thank you both very much for this - I am feeling a bit more confident about it now.

Sparkles - it is interesting what you say about the 2 year cycle. Next year its not split for him , ie he'll be in a straight Y2 class, but I guess from what you are saying this won't be a problem?

I am bothered about the reeading restriction and want to ask a question about this. Am going to speak to the mother of the other girl in the same boat this morning to see if she is going to say anything. It doesn't seem right to be that they went to having a book a day to now being restricted. My DS is going through a keen phase witrh reading, and I know we can do extra different ones at home, but he does like reading school ones and seeing his progression.

Pip - thanks for advice esp about listening first!

It doesn't ssem right to me that they went from having a book a day