Year 11 support thread

[pasanda]

I can't find a new thread, moving on from the old full one, so I thought I would create one (please tell me if I'm wrong!)

Last night ds stayed up till 4.30am doing his biology coursework

This time the tsunami affect didn't work and he left it far too late to do a reasonable job. Which is a bloody shame because he wants to do biology A level and he has done so well in his other controlled assessments.

I wait with bated breath to find out his mark

Oh well, thank God for half term!!

[teddygirlonce]

DS seems to have got the right attitude (at the moment) having performed reasonably well in his mocks but three months is a long, long time to keep up revision momentum. Not very helpful that family members are saying "he's started revision already?" as if it's unheard of.

I think at DS's school they've virtually finished the syllabus in nigh on all the subjects - certainly will have done ahead of the Easter hols.

DS's school has already given them their 'end of year' reports which really does now put the GCSEs centre-stage.

[Sprog19]

Hello again everyone! I think we may have entered a dangerous 'coasting' period. DS1 did well in Nov mocks apart from Maths where he got a 4, but just before half term he did an assessment and got a 7. He has been working very hard and has an excellent tutor, so all credit to him. Parents evening was full of comments about what a lovely chap he is, great attitude to work etc. So we've all ( including him) gone 'phew' and the pedal has well and truely come off! So far this half term he has done an awful lot of socialising and no work. DH and I are going away Wed-Fri and he says that will be his intensive revision period ( they have Mocks 2 in March) so I hope he will get down to it ( our younger son, who has autism, has carers staying, so there will be adults in the house. Just had to chase his college application form as everyone he knows has had or been given a date for an interview - but turns out his will be later as a member of the learning support team has to be there ( he has dyspraxia).

[pointythings]

DD1 is grafting away for her second set of mocks after half term. She's taking breaks but also working very hard. I am planning some small activities away (museums, lunch) to break it up, plus also prom dress shopping in London on Thursday.

[teddygirlonce]

Quite curious that some schools are doing two sets of mocks - I guess it keeps them on a trajectory (hopefully upward) and doesn't give them time to slack.

[pointythings]

I was a bit surprised too, teddy but I guess it keeps them revising and it also lets the teachers identify where people's weaknesses are so they can offer focused advice. Certainly DD1 got a very detailed breakdown of where she was stronger and weaker in all her subjects, and it has really helped her target her revision. I suppose the second set of mocks are to test whether the more focused revision has worked (or happened).

[teddygirlonce]

pointythings I actually think it's a good idea and doesn't give the DCs time to rest on their laurels. It's also a great way of reinforcing and embedding knowledge .

[pasanda]

readyforsunshine

I SO feel your pain. I could have written your post up there^ Particularly the I so wanted to be able to help him but he refuses. I have no interest in helping him with the work, just the organisation of it all and working out a plan and then sticking to it. But no, that suggestion is met with a monosyllabic 'no thanks'.

Best friends husband is head of PE at DS's school and between him and his form tutor, they decided to email each one of DS's teachers, asking for a one paragraph summary of how he is doing.

Not seen all responses but those so far, much the same. Disorganised, too chatty, lacks focus, "- is a concern to me" etc etc

He hasn't even started his chemistry CA yet! He has lost his PE booklet he needs for a presentation worth 9%. He has to be the most disorganised person I know.

I just have to believe he will pull it out of the bag for the real things!

[pasanda]

queen

What do you mean by working through Unit 3 in Chemistry and only on Unit 2 for Physics. There are 6 units for each science aren't there? Does that mean she hasn't done 4,5 & 6 either??

That can's be so, surely.

[AtiaoftheJulii]

Some boards split the syllabus into 3 units, some use 6.

[pasanda]

Ahh I see. Thanks for that! I was beginning to worry for queen's dd!!

[minesawine]

Last night DS had his first maths tutoring session and it went really well. She said that he knew the content but had to work on his exam technique. For the first time since September I cracked a smile. He is aiming for a Level 8 and she said she will work on his technique with him. Yippee!

Now I just need to remortgage my house to get tutors for his other nine subjects

[Fleurdelise]

ready I wanted to write an update but your post resonates with how I feel and the situation I am in currently that I may just copy and paste.

I feel that nothing works I have taken a step back, I have shouted, I have spoken to him, honestly I have no clue what else to do. I am in a state of lethargy just wanting for this year to pass and be in 2018 when all will be over (Dds 11+ also).

[Drivingmadness]

ah, new one, hadn't realised.
Ds did well in his mock after Xmas but hasn't done much since. Currently midterm and he is attending a completely not school related course, which is from 8.30 till 5pm, Monday till Saturday.
I suppose it's good to have a bit of a break, before going back to school revision after midterm.

[Ontopofthesunset]

DS2 finished his mocks on 20th Jan so I think this half term should be a break. We are in a hot beachy place for the week. He has some homework- a biology paper, 2 maths papers and MFL mock oral preparation for 2 langs but apart from that he is on holiday. Surely real proper revision can't start till the Easter holidays? They can't sustain it, surely? The next half term will be mainly revision and practice so I am surprised at the idea of long hours of revision already.

[Ontopofthesunset]

Sorry, only got mobile here so hard to check the thread but I was just responding to someone who had said their child was doing four hours a day this half term. That seemed like overkill.

My son has about 6 or 7 hours in total for the week, not 28. And that's all been set as homework so, while a lot of homework from now on will be revision, it's not 'proper' revision in the sense of making a timetable, committing topics to memory, independent study etc.

I'm not doing a reverse boast or anything, just amazed at how hard some kids seem to be working so early. I would worry about burnout.

[readyforsunshine]

Thanks pasanda fleur & draylon I think it does help to think that I'm not the only one dealing with this situation. I'm trying very hard to keep my humour but as you say fleur I'm in a state of lethargy! Hope your Dds 11+ work is going ok.
I agree with those of you that think now is too early but I have encouraged Ds to honestly review his weakest areas & put some work in there, I've offered to help him break down each subject into topics & asess how much time he needs to devote to each then draw up a revision plan working back from the start dates. I think he should then take a break until he needs to start. This would allow any weak areas to be flagged up and he can get teacher support. I would then feel comfortable about having a plan & that even if he wasn't putting in his best effort, he was engaging.
I don't expect him to suddenly become an amazing student, he's clever but not at all studious. Just because he's capable I get that he's not going to be an academic, I get that he'll find his way & have other talents but I hate his lack of motivation & his sense of entitlement.
So Wednesday has been & gone & Dh removed the Xbox, as yet his catering work has not been started never mind completed. I am working today & tomo so I predict that he'll waste away the days then stay up late & think about making a start some time on Sunday evening.
V envious of you on your hot beach sunset
How I laugh at the lovely supportive mummy encouraging him to take a break, offering treats for all his hard work, planning the perfect post gcse let your hair down break that I thought I'd be! he'd probably rather stay in bed

[Ontopofthesunset]

Well I've been accused by him today semi-jokingly of 'bullying' as I am actually getting a little worried he won't complete his homework so I'm not that laid back. And it is a lovely beach so we are very lucky.

[Fleurdelise]

I think I said this here before, I would have been more calm if DS' teachers would have told me he is reaching his potential and that's all he can do. But when I go to parents evening and still hear that with a bit of effort he would still get his predicted As and a couple of Bs I feel like I can't just watch him not doing anything.

I have a friend who's ds did nothing for GCSEs until a month before when he crammed in a lot and got straight As. I have secret fantasies that ds will do the same.

[readyforsunshine]

Me too fleur I also have the friends whose kids didn't cram at the last minute & got the results they deserved. Aghhhhh!!!!!

[errorofjudgement]

On the way to dropping off DD in town to catch up with friends she calmly announces they have extra mock exam in Maths and English this week. Aargh!!
Not sure much revision has happened given she has spent the week in drama workshops and rehearsals for their show this weekend.

[pointythings]

Draylon DD1's school uses a very similar methodology. The only difference is that the amounts of revision time recommended vary between students - DD1 has been told explicitly that she is at risk of doing too much and burning out, so she has made herself a timetable (I got her an app) and is working according to that. It's allowed her to go out quite a lot this week to relax. We also went to London and got her prom dress (she wanted a burlesque style dress so we kind of had to). It's been a good week and mocks start again on Tuesday.