Should I say something to DS teacher?

[phlebasconsidered]

DS came back home from his first day in year 4 in tears because he has been put back onto white books after being at Lime A at the end of last year. His class teacher and I held back moving him up in July because he lacks confidence and wasn't likely to read as much over the Summer ( although in the end, he did, lots of David Walliams). I confidently assess his level as 3a "old style", verging on 4C, and his old teacher gave him that on his end of year report, along with 3 for everything else.

However, white is "old level" 3c / 2a. I asked him if he read to the teacher and he said "yes, for a few minutes". Apparently he did protest but was told he was White. She is an NQT and he is a child who already lacks confidence. His old teacher knew this and would garner his levels from guided reading, inference in class etc, not just from a quick "read to me". He reads beautifully at home and to people he knows but just dries up otherwise. His class notes should have made this clear as his last teacher was hugely conscientious.

I always allow for a little slippage over Summer in my own class but I would NEVER put a child back this much in reading or anything without first telling the parents. I have one day a week off on Monday and I am tempted to ask to see her. What do you think?

Happy first day back, eh?

So you're checking out of a thread because, what, you didn't get the attaboys you wanted?

You are a teacher yourself. It's day one. Would you want to be on the end of that meeting on such flimsy grounds?

Needy mummy, needy child.

It was day 1. It's a book. What is the problem? Tell him to get on and read the book. Hell, read ALL the white books. If he's well past them then it won't do him any harm will it - he will race through them. Give him Thomas Hardy to read at home to balance. (I bet you will too!) It's not like he's been given a projected U for English at GCSE is it?!

It might be that his lack of confidence (caused by pushy teacher mother who wants her kid to shiiiiiine?) plus new teacher made his reading to her hesitant, thus leading her to think white books are suitable. If so, here's a thought - take some time out to teach him how to read out loud more confidently - speaking skills. Then he will come across more confidently when he does read to her. Your job is to sort out his confidence issues - HER job is to teach him, so leave her to it. She's got all year to reassess ALL the kids in that clase, not just yours. It'll sort itself out in the wash.

phlebasconsidered

I can see why you might want to bow out of this thread - perhaps people have been more forthright than you would've liked - but why ask for it to be deleted?

Nowhere have I come across as pushy. I am not pushy. I am not a helicopter mum, nor was I suggesting that I pop in and patronize the teacher. All of you moaning that I am one of "those" mother's projecting. I took the advice of one of the many who emailed me on the back.of this thread to offer support away from the loud and negative playground, and popped a note in his journal saying he found it too easy a.d this afternoon it turns out all the levels the teacher had were year two, not year 3. So yes,there was an error and the teacher thanked me for finding it. She had done the same for several other late entry students.

It might seem like a toy / pram situation, but those other teachers who emailed me, I thank you for not assuming I am some sort of psycho bitch and actually talking politely and reasonably. Unlike several on here who a) assume secondary teaching experience equates to primary: it doesn't and b) like to be that cow in the playground who has a little gang and decides what is right.

I think you've had a hard time on this thread OP. I'd be upset too if my DC was moved down a band on the first day back after the summer holidays.

However, at this stage I'd agree with a note in his reading record to say that he found the book a bit too easy, then see what happens in the next couple of weeks. Give the teacher and your DS both a chance to settle in and find their feet.

You sound utterly hysterical tbh.

Heavens above! The poor woman asked a question and was jumped on. There was an error and now it's sorted. It probably would have come to light anyway. I'm sure the teacher isn't about to throw in her NQT year!

I can't believe some of the responses! No wonder she has become defensive!

My boys are very aware when they move up stages in reading. The school makes a big deal of it and gives them a special sticker when they move up. I can see how it might make a dent in a sensitive child's confidence if they are moved down.

Sorry you've seen the unpleasant side of mumsnet OP.

Looks like op got a right bashing here with people telling her she was a pushy hysterical mum!

Theres a lack of understanding about a bullied child. If you`ve had a child who has been bullied you would understand the anxiety of parent and child. Its an uphill battle and set backs are harder. Its not about the book, its about his confidence. Children are cruel, as are some posters.

You weren't jumped on until you came back to the thread accusing people of all sorts, as far as I can see.