SATs Level 6 Papers

[JRM]

True - but they won't teach methods which are wrong or limit future learning.

But neither will all parents. I'm not a qualified maths teacher, but I know my child and have researched current methods (some of which I like, some of which I don't) and the rationale behind them. I am perfectly capable of teaching my child to GCSE level.

However, I know other parents that just show their children a 'method' without them understanding why or how it works. For them I would see your point as it doesn't help the child build on the technique or problem solve or extrapolate to find other solutions.

There are several useless teachers at our primary school and I don't tar all teachers with the same brush, so please don't tar all parents with the same brush.

That isn't supposed to sound overly grumpy btw. I was just making a point. I find it interesting the number of parents that come up to me and explain how ridiculous new methods for maths are. I surprise myself and often find myself defending them and explaining the rational to other parents. Now if only school would do a numeracy session to at least explain a bit to parents rather than just say 'we do things differently these days' then I wouldn't be standing by the trim trail at 4pm discussing maths

[moved]

There are also plenty of teachers with a maths degree who are dreadful teachers. Teaching is an art and being a secondary subject teacher doesn't automatically mean that a teacher is any good. Some primary teachers are not maths specialists, but some are. I know a good number of primary teachers with maths degrees; not all of them are good at teaching maths though!

Sadly, maths is often poorly taught in schools.

[Guest55]

I agree that a degree on its own is no sign that someone can teach maths - but apparently private schools do!

In state schools you do need to have a PGCE and many of the teachers I know have studied for further postgraduate qualifications and keep their skills up-to-date.

JRM - what changes to your teaching have you made to address the June 2012 syllabus changes?

[mystery]

Whilst I don't expect state primaries to teach to the standards required for the 11+, I do expect them to have a jolly good stab at efficiently and effectively teaching the core skills of the KS2 syllabus One might even venture to suggest that one could logically expect a greater deal of success, with more receptive children like those of extension level

So what would you recommend a parent does, if the school is uninterested?

Do it yourself. A lot of people choose to do it themselves without mentioning it to school as a lot of schools do not really know how to respond to a parent and it just creates bad feeling. I mention things when I can because I feel I should ... and as a teacher I would want it mentioned rather than people just secretly going home with a feeling it was unsatisfactory and doing it themselves or hiring a tutor... but I live dangerously each time I mention it.

[JRM]

JRM - what changes to your teaching have you made to address the June 2012 syllabus changes?

Sorry, I see where I was not clear now. I'm not teaching to a syllabus. I'm teaching about life. Maths itself hasn't suddenly changed just because the GCSE exam has changed.

My point about GCSE level was just go give arough idea of the level that I am confident I could teach DS to. If school need to teach him to do x,y,z to get the marks in the exam then that is fine. But we are just learning as his interests take him. I keep 'generally' up to date with various methods of teaching maths so that I can occasionally tie it back to school for him. But, if I had to teach him to pass a GCSE then I would research it and things like a syllabus change wouldn't exactly be a big hurdle for us on a one to one basis.

I have a lot of respect for some teachers. It would be nice if sometimes they had some respect for parents. I expect teachers to have other areas of interest and skills that aren't shown by their PGCE, so why can't parents be the same. I would say again, don't tarr us all with the same brush.

[JRM]

I'm curious now, guest 55. I haven't been around long enough to know this answer, so apologies if it has been discussed elsewhere - do you believe that parents should help and tutor thier children to do the 11+? Or do you believe that if they need help it must be from a qualified tutor?

[Guest55]

There is no qualification to tutor the 11+ so I have no problem with parents helping with NVR and VR or English and Maths up to level 5.

JM - I am a parent too so I do help my pupils' parents to know how BEST to help them ... as long as they are guided by a teacher then that's fine.

[Pumpkin Pie]

... as long as they are guided by a teacher then that's fine.

I really don't think you need to have a 'teacher's' qualification to teach. You underestimate us parents Guest55. There is more to being a teacher than having the teaching qualification. Trust me, I'm a parent!

[Guest55]

Depends on what you are teaching .. if it's above level 5 in most subjects then, I'm afraid, you do.

I do not consider myself qualified to teach chemistry or music or french or ... there is a lot of anti-teacher posting which I feel is over the top.

[Okanagan]

Do you believe that a child with a reading age beyond 11 should be stopped from reading anything more challenging? Or that they shouldn't take an interest in a peiod of histroy which isn't in the primary curriculum? Or that they shouldn't do any sport which isn't taught at school? Why should maths be any different? If you've got a child who is a natural mathematician with an interest in the subject - why on earth shouldn't they be allowed to develop that interest? It doesn't have to mean you're looking at GCSE's or covering any particular curriculum. If we visit Bletchley Park, and then look at ciphers, or explore binary, for example, is that such a crime? It's not KS2 content - but if it's relevant and they're interested and engaged by it, and able to understand it, why ever not?