Impossible math homework (y7)

[RawDEal]

When DS first started secondary school he was in second to top maths set. They were doing level 4 work and he was finding it very simple (he got a level 5 in the year 6 sats). I never mentioned it though but they moved him to top set anyway. Now they're giving him level 6 homework and even I can't do it! It's so compicated.

Do I say anything or leave them to it?? The last homework he got had 15 questions and he got 0 right! But the teacher will know that so do I just keep out of it?

Leave it to the teachers. They obviously have their reasons and might be establishing exactly where he is at and what he understands.

If he cant do it, they will reassess him.

How does your son feel, is he ok with it. that is most important. If he feels he is struggling then you could mention something.

however, its the end of term. He could do a lot of revision over the holidays and it be a different story in the new year

What sort of maths is it at the moment - is it something specific which is conceptually new which he just hasn't 'got' yet?

Level 6 will include all sorts of work from Algebra through shape and data manipulation. Some children just find some areas more difficult. Algebra sends my daughter loopy but she is briliant with angles. It may just be a module area he is struggling with. The teachers should be left to sort it but if he cannot do the homeowrk he should let them know he is struggling with it - don't just do it for him, unless you are able to help him do it, explaining at the same time.

Have you tried getting one of the KS3 revision books for him. We had the CGP one and also one from Brookworth[I think] books.

They have been a great help with homework as everything is explained very simply. I have A level maths but some things seem to be taught differently now and there are some topics I don't recall doing at all.

My DD has a tendency not to concentrate in class and often misses things when they are being taught, she usually manages to work things out herself at home from the revision books.

By the way she was in a similar situation to your DS in year 7. Originally set 2, moved to set 1. She moved back down to set 2 in year 8 and has been there ever since and she much prefers it. She still achieved level 8 in year 9.

Hope this helps!

To get none right is a bit worrying, what was it ? Children will always pick up some things more qucikly than others. Are you really not able to try and work through it with him?

If he wants to stay in that set maybe you could get him some study guides to help.

x posts with mycat about the revision books, Letts are also good.

I would definitely not leave it to the teachers - you have every right to ask, what is the point of setting your son homework that they have not yet taught him how to do??
Assessment is something to be done in the classroom, homework is only useful if they get a chance to practice something that they are starting to get the hang of.
It does a student no good to realise he is crap at something - or maybe some students are lucky enough to have parents who are very good at maths, so they are all crap - and no-one has been taught well.

Is it something that was explained to the class fully before he joined them?

do it??

I appear to have killed your thread, apologies!! I am becoming quite a dab hand at this.

The teacher will mark his homework and know where he is. You don't need to tell them.