Primary 1 and 2

[Peanutpeanutbutterandjelly]

My DD is in P1 and struggling a little with number work and handwriting. Finding it impossible to find info online on p1 and p2 curriculum and what they should be able to do in these early years. I want to support DD to progress but it's tricky to know how quickly the pace of learning will progress and what's coming next without knowing the overall targets. She is in a HUGE class (2 teachers) and has some additonal needs but is bright and can learn with some extra attention. Will they spend ages on these early skills (e.g. subtracting within 1-10) and so I don't need to worry about her getting this now or are things going to move fast? Any teachers or parents have some info they can share on what kids should be achieving by end of p1 and p2. We have individual learning targets - which is fine- but I don't want my DD to be constantly behind because her learning targets are individualised and not set at pace of class (I don't know how individualised they really are and if most of class have the same) I'm not trying to be a pushy parent - I just want to be able.to help my DD at home to catch up and understand what being 'below the benchmark in numbers' (as teacher said) really means and where most kids should be. Thanks!

Your best bet is to find out which apps your school uses to support children - mathletics, nessy, education city, hit etc etc (there are many) and use them at home as you can adjust those to relevant level if school haven’t already.

my dd has needed that back up at home throughout, it helps her a lot and I don’t think it’s so much the targets you need info on as following an app that is set to the right curriculum level.

you should be able to email / have an email forwarded to the head of support for learning at school?

Hi,

If you look at the Education Scotland document, which is the top link available here - www.google.com/search?q=early+benchmarks&oq=early+benchmarks&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDQxNzdqMGo0qAIAsAIA&client=ms-android-samsung-ss&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8&chrome_dse_attribution=1

The benchmarks tell you what a child should achieve at the end of Early level. Most children achieve early by the end of P1. The experiences and outcome are the curriculum and the benchmarks are the skills or knowledge a child has demonstrated, so that is the bit to focus on. However, a child just needs to achieve the majority of these to achieve Early level, not every single one.

If your child is finding some aspects tricky I think the best thing you could do is speak to her teacher(s). Make an appointment and ask them what they have noticed she is finding tricky and ask for suggestions of things you can do at home. Subtraction is a huge topic so is it that she needs concrete materials to help her or does she need to work on developing different strategies? Is she making silly mistakes or do they feel she doesn't understand the concept of subtraction? Again, with handwriting, I'd want to know what it is that she finds tricky. Is it sizing or letter formation? Can she write on a line? Find out if the school uses cursive or print so you can be consistent at home. Often in P1, we use rhymes and stories to help children with letter formation, so maybe you could ask how they teach it and ask for a copy of resources to encourage her at home.

Also, remember that at parents' night and in reports, every child is given next steps. So the fact your child is given things to work on doesn't necessarily mean they are behind. Obviously, your best bet is to speak to her teachers, though, who can help guide you. Hope this has been helpful.

Yes, they should spend a long time on subtraction.

Ideally, by the end of P1 (which is still quite a while away!) I want my class to be adding and subtracting within 10 accurately. Ideally I’d like some facts committed to memory, especially the number bonds to 10. Children should be able to explain the concepts of addition and subtraction and apply some simple strategies (fingers, cubes, number line).

Handwriting should be correctly formed and spaced on a line. It may still be large but the formation is really key.

There is still a long way to go until P2! Lots of work still to be done.

Thank you very much to you both!

All of you, rather!