GCSEs 2018 (5 & a puppy, but no kittens)

[Stickerrocks]

Here we go again.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3177476-GCSEs-2018-4-already

One of my students has made quite a big improvement recently on paper 2 in English language just by watching Mr Bruff on YouTube for each question so it can be done that way. He focuses on AQA if that helps and as the questions are very consistent it can make a significant difference to exam technique. The most common problems occur over the timing -Mr Bruff’s advice on timing per question is right and you have to be strict.
Not answering the question or looking at the wrong bit of the extract is another common one.
In the language and structure questions you gain more marks for describing the effect of techniques than for just identifying them. Short, focused quotes are best for backing up your points.
The biggest problems with paper 2 tend to be with the comparison questions - sometimes students only write about one text or forget to actually compare them. The question normally asks for a comparison of something quite specific so it’s no good going off the topic.
Top tip on punctuation: learn how to use colons and semi colons and make sure you use them in both the writing questions!

loose so sorry your DS had to miss the concerts... Hope he beats the bug soon.

Oh dear, still ill. DS seems to think he’ll go to school tomorrow but I’m really not sure.

What a shame loose on the other hand better now than nearer the exams or in the middle of revision.

Is it a virus, loose? Maybe he's better at home getting better quickly? How many lessons does he have tomorrow where the teacher is still teaching the curriculum, rather than revising?

That's my view - it's definitely a virus and everything is revision apart from finishing off the last music composition so I don't think he should feel he has to go to school tomorrow.

Why does he think he should go tomorrow? Maybe he doesn't feel that bad? Our maybe he's just being a hero?

Loose when DS had his bug he went back to doing too much too soon and it made a come back!!

DS finishes for Easter on Thursday and then he will be conducting his revision over the holidays, he got me to draft a revision time table and I managed to put some English in there so I'm very happy . He is intending to get up at 8.30 each day and start at 9 till 11 then 1 to 3 and finally 7 to 9. So lots of time for his sport!

Let you know if he manages it!! How are your DC planning to spend their Easter?

6 hours a day? That's a lot! Good on him for wanting to do that though.
Ds is currently planning on 3 1/2 hours a day

I agree mmzz but he has managed his revision this far so I am just going along with it, he's a very laid back child so I know he's not stressing himself.

He's always been very focused on his sport and the training and I do think he has applied the same approach to his revision......but we shall see!

Dd broke up last Thursday. She's had the weekend off revision but been busy with work and grandparents.

Today she's got a full day at school (science) and tomorrow she's there again for a half day of German.

She's planning 4 hours a day wed-fri and again tue-fri the week after. 2 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon. I will be encouraging eng Lang as the first hour every day.

We're going away this weekend to a hotel for walking, swimming, prom shoe shopping and relaxation. Can't wait!

No idea what DS is planning in terms of revision. He’s gone to school today, though, and looks better, so fingers crossed the virus has gone. Over Easter weekend I’m really hoping he gets all the art exam prep done and then he can focus on the rest of the revision. Wishful thinking, I suspect!
The second week of Easter has some school revision sessions, which are very helpful. I think he’s feeling pretty confident about some of his subjects but sciences definitely need more revision time as there is so much to get through.

Are school sessions during the Easter holidays the norm? I haven't heard of DS's school having any. Does that mean every year, the teachers don't get the Easter holiday?

Ds's school do very little extra revision at all. They've mostly cancelled the year-wide after school revision sessions and made the by invitation only (and Ds is not invited).

They don't seem to direct much of the home revision either (maybe no school does?). Instead, they have made it the parent's responsibility to support the student and see that it gets done. They also said that there is no one size fits all for revision styles and you just do what's best for you.

DS2's school haven't scheduled any revision sessions during the Easter holidays (for GCSE or A-level).

They usually offer optional revision classes during study leave. Pupils can pick and choose which they go to.

DS1 is still in school this week, he is attending a French Conference for GCSE students in Nottingham today.

Revision wise in school sessions in the 2 week holiday; the only thing that is planned it at the moment is a history session on the 6th.

February mocks result were good - his French has come up to a 6 from a 4, and his history up from a 4 to a 7.

The rest of his mocks were 7s and 8s - he got an 8 in English Language, they didn't sit Lit this time. He got an A in Stats (I don't know how ) and an A* in Business Studies.

He said he can see the difference some revision has made and has been doing a couple of hours every night after school and 3 or so at weekends.

I hope DS feels better soon loose

They always do some Easter sessions at our school- looking at the timetable some teachers would be coming in for two or three hours in the whole week, so I guess they feel it’s worth it. The sessions are optional for the boys, though! It can’t really replace home revision but it helps with exam technique.
I don’t know what actually happens once the exams start. All DS cares about is when they end! He says he’s really looking forward to sixth form and focussing on a few subjects.

Hmmm looks like consensus is if DS can do 3 hours a day steadily through the holidays then that should be ok. Not as much as most but hopefully will help. No in school revision sessions and not much guidance but we ve got revision books with questions and answers so we ve agreed if he can learn everything in the revision guide that should suffice for a decent grade. I ll also try and follow your lead of start with some English each day or at least every other day (good idea) as if he doesn’t pass eng lang all other marks will be forgotten however good they are. So I think I will allow focus on maths and English and hope all others fall somewhere in between.

Hello, lost you all for a while.
Thankyou for the new thread.

I can't quite believe the term is over already (DD broke up on Friday)
Exams feel very real and very close all of a sudden!

No revision sessions scheduled at school until next term when each subject will run sessions after school.

Luckily DD is pretty self sufficient, and motivated enough to sort out revision without me getting too involved. I think she's aiming for around 4 hours a day over the holiday.

Ps she is a leftie but more creative than mathsy I think. She had a dyslexia diagnosis when she was 7, but has never qualified for extra help or exam time.

mmzz I'm horrified by the behaviour of that teacher, your poor DS.

Thanks @stickerrocks for new thread.

DD broke up on Friday lunch and had chilled weekend - sleepover etc...she's in school today finishing off DT project which I think needs to be submitted during Easter holiday's and in school for a further couple of day's for English & History.

We are off to see Hamilton tonight - so very excited.

Ooh Teenmum how exciting! We saw it in Feb half term - you won't be disappointed!!

Exciting - we've just got tickets for August !! Hopefully it will be a celebration (or could be to take our minds off results !!).
DS came home from school with a new plan for the Easter holidays which start on Thirsday - his history teacher suggested following the normal school timetable for revision so he wants to give that a go. Would actually mean 5 hours a day so not sure if he'll stick to it but he would have all evenings and Sundays off and could take slightly longer breaks between 'lessons'. If he's keen to give it a try I'll go with it though. Saves trying to work out a timetable too :)

Not as exciting as Hamilton, but DS2 is going to see Macbeth at the National Theatre this week.

Still exciting ! Just noticed the RSC Macbeth is in cinemas on 11th April

Dgd worked hard revising over the weekend. Tomorrow she has 4 end of topic assessment tests .
She learned a new skill too this weekend. Helping me lay 100 block pavers! Once I'm on the ground I can't get up without assistance so she was my dogs body shovelling sand and passing me the bricks and tools. I'm having to brickweave what was my zen garden that the pup dug up. No good putting grass or gravel she will still dig ( sigh). Took both my dgd and dd to get me up though. Oh for a new pair of legs!
Only the sciences to finish teaching now all other subjects done and revision in class for them and exam question practise.

Only another 144 bricks to go and I'll be done..........will finish after Easter. Happy Easter to all!