Page 12 | GCSEs 2019 - support thread part 2

pointythings · 21/03/2019 20:31

marmite that is true - DD2 has trouble with the Chemistry and Physics stuff from year 9. But it is all being revisited.

67chevvyimpala · 21/03/2019 22:35

Ds1 is doing rise of nazis and weimar republic, Anglo saxons and Normans, American west and Crime and punishment.

It's a LOT of content.

SilentSister · 22/03/2019 10:10

Always interesting to see how different everyone's syllabus is different DD does:
Germany: Development of Dictatorship, 1918-45,
A Divided Union: Civil Rights in the USA, 1945-74,
The USA 1918-41,
Changes in Medicine, c1848-c1948

Look at the dates..... it is HUGE, and they have only had two years.

gleegeek · 22/03/2019 11:35

The history curriculum is HUGE and so dry. Just facts and dates to learn it seems, no chance to actually enjoy the subject and immerse yourself in the period. Dd's school have acknowledged they're not going to get the last period covered and have said they'll have to teach themselves a lot of it
She's doing anglo saxons, weimar republic, crime and punishment and conflict in the middle east.

67chevvyimpala · 22/03/2019 13:11

Dear Mr Gove to blame for all that

Bimkom · 22/03/2019 15:31

Well I am feeling a bit guilty and torn, because I have now booked to go away over DS's Art Exam.
He did say it was fine for me to go (which of course makes me feel conflicted about whether I am pleased he can manage without me, or feel like a spare part). Hope DH and the rest of the family can cope (DH and DS are periodically at loggerheads).
Thing is, my dad has being given a big award in my home country, and the ceremony is on April 3, the day after the art exam finishes. Dad is in his eighties, and has Parkinson's (it is like a lifetime contribution award), and it did seem important to go (but it also seemed important to stay), so we ummed and ahed, and I have now booked, and will fly late on the Sunday night (it is a really long journey). I really hope I am doing the right thing.

pointythings · 22/03/2019 19:10

binkom I'm assuming he has another parent around? He'll be fine. And this is not just any old event.

Powergower · 22/03/2019 20:02

Yes binkom you should go for it!

I'm really sad about the changes to history. Such huge periods to cover with no time for analysis or comprehension. When I studied history we went into depth about the socio political ramifications, the impact of events, the resonance.... now it's learn it quickly and move on. Ds wad interested in the treatment of minorities in 1920s America but his teacher told him all he needed to know wad they were retreated badly. There's just no time for real study or understanding. And the pp is right, its so fucking dry. Ds really wanted to do history a level but the gcse had totally put him off.

67chevvyimpala · 23/03/2019 07:02

Go.

He will be fine.

Congrats to your dad x

Bimkom · 23/03/2019 19:33

Thanks for the congrats. Yes, I know DS will probably be fine. Yes DH is staying here, so it is not as though DS (or the others) will be parentless, just it is quite a lot for DH to take on as well as his work. DH was really encouraging me to go before I booked, but been a bit like a bear with a sore head afterwards, worrying about how he will manage. There is quite a lot of stuff that I do that he will have to take on. And I am nervous that that will make him short tempered, and with DS stressed, it will not be a good combination. We did have a long think about it, and decided it was important that I go, but i really do wish it wasn't at quite such a critical time. At least once the Art exam is over, there will arguably be a bit of a breathing space before DS has to launch into the intensity of the others. But I certainly get nervous when one of my close family is flying ,which is what I will be doing during the Art exam. And it will be late Monday night, England time, before I land, so DS really shoudn't stay up to be sure I have. Somebody we know has got engaged, and the engagement party is on the evening of 2nd April, so I will miss it, but I think it will be nice as a way for DS to wind down, and I think after that they will be fine.

CJDoesTheJackal · 27/03/2019 16:08

Joining the thread for my sanity. Mother of 2 DSs, Y11 and Y9. Y11 DS is so capable and bright but so able to procrastinate and do the very least, which has generally been just enough. Predicted 7s for sciences (triple). Hopes to get an 8 for maths and a 9 for computer science. Hates English and history. Got a 5 for English in his mocks, and a 4 in more recent exams! His temperament means he refuses any offer of help at all and just gets really defensive and angry if pushed. I'm going to read both threads tonight. But DH and I are really worried about him pulling his finger out. Parents' evening last week. All but one teacher (comp sci) are "worried about him". It's such a stressful time isn't it! Not even thinking about DS2 going through this - he works harder because he has to. He loves the subjects DS1 doesn't enjoy but he has slight memory processing issues and will find it all really anxiety inducing, whereas DS1 doesn't find it anxiety inducing enough.

CJDoesTheJackal · 27/03/2019 16:10

When I say the teachers are worried about him I mean in terms of him nowhere near reaching his potential, not from a mental health perspective.

67chevvyimpala · 27/03/2019 16:13

Hi

One of you messaged me and I replied - quite a long one! - and then because I am going mad I deleted it!!!

If it was you - sorry!

I have a domestic flooding issue atm so have to pop off, but just wanted to say love your nn cjdoesthejackal

I'm sure someone will be along soon with advice x

nathanmcgurl · 27/03/2019 16:41

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CJDoesTheJackal · 27/03/2019 17:51

A friend whose DS1 did his GCSEs 2 years ago booked a holiday cottage for May half-term. She said it was a brilliant decision. It was on the Norfolk Coast 3 hours from their home. The parents and the 2 younger DCs would go out for a couple of hours a day whilst the DS studied, and then they'd all do stuff together. But it got him away from home and friends and gaming etc. and worked really well. He too was reluctant to study, although for different reasons from my DS. He has dyslexia. I'm looking at doing this but wondered if anyone has any thoughts please?

Soursprout · 27/03/2019 19:39

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SilentSister · 28/03/2019 10:26

I have been quietly stressing the DD isn't really doing much revision, as she hasn't started at home yet. I can't discuss it with her, as she gets annoyed, and asks me to trust her, which I do, but I am so worried about her getting stressed in a few weeks time, and wishing she had done more. TBF they are doing lots and lots at school, and homework is all revision, which she also completes at school, and a few after school History sessions, so I can't really push too much as I know she is working hard at school.

Also she has started coming home and going for a run. I am so proud of her, as she is the least sporty person in the world, but she is feeling out of shape, and with the lovely weather and longer evenings she felt she might benefit from the exercise and fresh air. She did this last year for end of year exams, and it seemed to help her anxiety. She is really knackered when she comes back, and I think it is helping her sleep better too.

Day off school today, they have house sports. So, running around in the sunshine for a day. Actually probably a good thing for mental health too, and she was looking forward to it.

3 1/2 more school days to go

SilentSister · 28/03/2019 10:29

We wrestled with going away for a weekend over Easter, just to see Nan, who is poorly. In the end we couldn't book a hotel, but DD was torn between not wanting to disrupt revision and not seeing her Nan. It is a difficult one. I think we might try again at May Half Term, but the week after is really exam heavy, so not sure that is a good idea either.

thestudybuddy · 28/03/2019 11:27

@SilentSister her going for runs is a great sign, I'd say. Not just for the wellbeing side, but it shows that she wants to exercise (pun intended :) ) control over parts of her life. That'll stand her in a good position.

To capitalise, I'd suggest working with her to find a way of applying the same positive action with her revision. The method I evangelise is to break down the courses into bite-sized chunks. This lets you know exactly what needs to be done. Then she (with your support) can structure it over the coming week - even where that is school managed study. This is a great way of your DD feeling like she has control while helping to alleviate your concerns whether enough progress is being made or not.

67chevvyimpala · 28/03/2019 12:39

I think most a schools are now doing revision in classes for their year 11s.

Ds1 has had chemistry mocks again this week.

Ds1 is also doing extra maths revision in school at lunchtime.

Soursprout · 28/03/2019 16:32

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ROZ12 · 28/03/2019 20:35

I can’t remember which parent it was who also has a child doing IGCSE eng Lang and lit ? My dd received her coursework marks back today and not sure what they mean?? What are the grade boundaries?

Thanks

Soursprout · 29/03/2019 08:24

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SilentSister · 29/03/2019 09:31

ROZ12 Could be DD doing IGCSE CIE, but we don't do coursework, sorry can't help.

Sour Lovely post, you and I and our DD's do sound very similar. Your DD sounds amazing though in that she is doing all that in her challenging school. That assembly sounds awful. Doesn't exactly give the students much hope does it, all very negative, and very de-motivational for those who are putting in the effort. We are in our very blessed bubble of selective independent, so very different environment, but even so, the pressure to do well is always there, and Year 11 also got a blanket telling off for not doing revision plans. WE do actually have a handful of DC's who "failed" their mocks and have been called in to see the head, but on a personal level, and hopefully offering help and guidance, rather than just given a rocket.

As DD finishes so early next week, I have suggested she goes to see Captain Marvel on the day they finish at midday.....She missed seeing it as she was so busy, and i think she deserves it .

Fazackerley · 29/03/2019 09:34

The history teacher at dds school told her not to take History GCSE despite being able. She said the new syllabus was dry and impossible to cover in any depth. She did classical civilisation instead which she has really enjoyed and wants to do at A level. Class civ is what you'd imagine history to be like!!