Any teachers out there

DVardysShadow

jackie_w wrote: »

How dare you come on here and say these things. Your post wasnt very clear, and if your a mum/dad you will know that getting him to do those things is a part of "taking an interest in him".

How dare I? You have a problem, and I am sorry to say that your focus on the issue relates very much to what is happening. Now, I could say I see what is going on, but I will offend you so I won't give what I see as relevant.

Sometimes a poster's pride stands in the way of having their problem solved. If what I say is anywhere near the mark, this is your problem to deal with and I don't do you any favours by not posting what I sincerely believe - even if I am wrong. As it is, I feel more strongly that it is your pride which is damaging your boy.

hieveryone

I don't get how people think they can assess someones family life within a few short posts. But reading back on Jackies posts, all that jumped out at me was that she repeated that she was 'really worried' about his education and all the things she has tried with him.

Yes, she called him lazy. So what? I have lazy children in my class, it's not a big deal for someone to describe another persons characteristic in that way.

To be honest, it's the parents who DON'T know their kids are lazy and have a problem that are a bigger worry to me as a teacher, rather than the ones who can hold their hands up and admit, yes, they're lazy with their school work, what help can we get to motivate them?

Really, if you can't answer the question why try and delve into someones personal life?

DVardysShadow

jackie_w wrote: »

Thanks very much everyone for your replies.

I came onto this board asking for help with my son because of his schooling. Im very sorry that for a certain poster that I didnt post my life story in what I did with my son, what I praise him about.

I know ive said about him being lazy, but im trying to let you all know what he is like incase that might be one of the problems to let you see what he is like with regards to schooling. Im sorry that I didnt let you all know what he was like as a wee boy.

I feel really bad now in that i might not have done my best as a mother and have been left feeling really upset. I know it is the case that these things might happen whenever you post on a public forum but you can post things in a more pleasant manner.

I will never ever again come onto this board and ask for anyones advice or help.

Your choice. When I posted, I knew I would dent your pride, but that was not the objective. Don't put your pride before your boy.

whitewing

I did actually think that DVardysShadow was trying to be constructive on behalf of OP's DS (although I don't think I would have worded the posts in quite the same way).

I also do believe in looking at an overall view of family life etc. Sometimes, it is not simply enough to just answer the question 'how do I help with maths?' - that would rule out other aspects of life that may be directly relevant to the problem.

Caroline73_2

I know of some websites that can help with French pronounciation. OP - pm me if you would like details.

jackie_w

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Your choice. When I posted, I knew I would dent your pride, but that was not the objective. Don't put your pride before your boy.

I can quite assure you that I dont put my pride before my boy, but when someone comes on here to knock you as a mum then that hurts particulary when that person is a stranger. if you had come on here and said "do you take an interest in the things that he does" then yes I could have answered that, but, Im on here talking about him in way of his schooling and how he is as a person with regards to his schooling.

slummymummyof3

As a teacher (but not in Scotland) I would suggest that it does not matter what your son is reading, as long as he is reading. Are there any comics he likes? It does not have to be a book - reading is reading (even though as parents we may beg to differ!)

I would suggest you have a discreet word with his head of year and/or form tutor and see if they have any suggestions as to how they intend to deal with it from a school point of view. Have they had any feedback from other colleagues etc.

In England, where students are working below target (depending on the county you are in) there is sometimes private tuition available (paid for by the county where they pay teachers that are already employed by them to take on private work in addition to their school work)

mountainofdebt

jackie_w wrote: »

Well me and his dad take an interest in him (obviously) if this is what your meaning. We are the ones thats always on at him to tidy his room, shower himself, clean his teeth, make sure he isnt putting on dirty clothes because if im honest he wouldnt do any of these things if we didnt tell him to .

is that what you mean?

Totally agree that this is a boy thing - just wait until he discovers girls.

We had to cattle prod our son into the shower and he would have worn clothes until they walked to the washing machine of their own accord if we had let him. A few years down the line (and the discovry of girls!) he's in the shower every day and sometimes twice a day if the activities call for it, together with clean underwear every day.

Also my son doesn't 'do' reading - was never even into the Harry Potter series! - and can be a right lazy so and so ......will do what it takes to do the homework and that's it.

hbloomers

Sorry to hear about your troubles OP. I'm afraid that I probably won't be much help, but I've studied french for 9 years, and always found https://www.realfrench.net to be very helpful. The BBC Bitesize website is good too. I know its mostly aimed at GCSE etc, but you'll find some parts of the site dedicated to SATS and KS3, which is 11-14(ish). http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/bitesize/

I also agree that it doesn't matter what he's reading.. I always loved reading, but my sister didn't, until she started reading magazines etc, and now she's practically eating the books! My favourite books as a kid were by Roald Dahl, especially Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Hope you get things settled

WolfSong2000

I was very withdrawn as a kid - very few friends, not really sporty and appalling at maths. Total opposite now (except I'm still lousy at maths. lol). I'd suggest working on a reward basis - set goals for your son, and if he reaches them, have a pre-arranged reward. I taught myself to set myself goals for various things, including track running, which I loathed as a child - it made a big difference to my performance. Maths wise, maybe get him tested for dyscalculia, as others have suggested. I'm 22 and only now organising getting tested for it - it's difficult, as it's not a recognised disability, but that doesn't stop it from being any less frustrating when you have it!

As for the reading side of things, I refuse to believe that kids just plain don't like reading (but then again I'm a book nut), they just haven't found the right book yet. I've been helping out an American friend who's son (who's about 12) really dislikes reading. I sent him a book by Michael Morpurgo called "The Butterfly Lion" and he apparently really enjoyed it...also gave him another one recently and he seemed genuinely happy to have received it. Morpurgo is a very accessible author with excellent stories and I highly recommend him. Roald Dahl is another, as is !!!!!! King-Smith