Parents Eve - Livid at School - Son's Literacy Well Below Average

stressedoutmum

I know it seems a long time in advance but I'm worried sick that if he doesn't catch up now he never will. You hear about kids going to secondary school and falling even further behind and getting in with the wrong crowd (he is very easily led and got himself into trouble a few times by doing silly things others have told him to). He's not allowed to use a pen in school, only a pencil. Once your handwriting is very neat then you get a 'pen licence' but his handwriting is truly awful whether using a pencil or a pen. Don't we worry about our kids. I still can't believe the school never phoned me way before this to let me know. Why did they have to leave it so late.

msb5262

Hello OP,
You've had lots of helpful advice already.
I'd just like to add that if your DS hates writing, forcing him to write outside school hours may not be helpful.
He clearly understands that his writing is a cause for concern - personally I hate doing things if I'm not very good at them.
Keep on with the reading aloud to him, get him loads of audio books on CD (try your local library first) and try not to stress too much about this.
The more your DS feels pressured, the less likely he is to relax, enjoy writing and want to write.
HTH
MsB

floss2

stressedoutmum wrote: »

... He's not allowed to use a pen in school, only a pencil. Once your handwriting is very neat then you get a 'pen licence' but his handwriting is truly awful whether using a pencil or a pen.....

Why not take him to Staples or Rymans and buy him a nice Parker or Papermate pen, to use when he does writing at home. Tell him he has to do a page of pencil, then a page of pen - buy an A5 lined notebook that he chooses to do his writing in. Make it a special thing and a treat to have the pen, not the chore it seems to have become at school.

When his writing improves, buy a bigger book with bigger pages

Blackpool_Saver

stressedoutmum wrote: »

I know it seems a long time in advance but I'm worried sick that if he doesn't catch up now he never will. You hear about kids going to secondary school and falling even further behind and getting in with the wrong crowd (he is very easily led and got himself into trouble a few times by doing silly things others have told him to). He's not allowed to use a pen in school, only a pencil. Once your handwriting is very neat then you get a 'pen licence' but his handwriting is truly awful whether using a pencil or a pen. Don't we worry about our kids. I still can't believe the school never phoned me way before this to let me know. Why did they have to leave it so late.

This is why I believe in private education, when you are paying they don't dare to do this and there are VERY regular reports on progress.

May I suggest Kumon maths and english....

angelicmary85

For 5 years the school ignored my little brother's dyspraxia...it was only when he went to high school he got some extra help in the classroom.

Curlywurli

I am shocked that the school never told you. Unfortunately not all teachers seem to have a grasp on levels and where children should be. I job shared with a person who wrote on a child's report that they've made superb progress- I pointed out that actually their levels were lower than the year before.

I think the best thing for you to do would be to try to move him forward from where he is. It is not very easy to move that amount of levels in a year and I haven't heard of it before to be honest. Personally I would be asking for a meeting with the SENCO and expecting clear targets to be set for him and information given to you as to how these targets can be reached.

stressedoutmum

We've tried all the tricks like choosing nice pens, notepads etc and he's got all the tools just doesn't want to write. How will he cope in exams. I had a look at his literacy book and some days he's only written the day and 2 or 3 words. When I say he writes little he really does. Private education would be good but no way we could afford that. Me and OH had hours cut at work so its tight as it is. If he was doing SATs this year he'd totally fail because there is not enough to assess him on which is what they have said in the class. He can't seem to get started and when he does its not much. He speaks very well and the teacher says his command of language is very good he uses words that many other children don't - it just seems to be writing it.

travelgran

Quote from my son then aged 6 or 7 "I don't like stories, I like books that tell you true things". Quote from his son, now aged 7. "I don't like story books, I like non-fiction."
Yes, he has fiction read to him every night, reads it for homework and is reported to be 'above average'. Favourite reading? The Guiness book of records.

Mupette

what do you do with him when he isn't doing homework?

is the internet the babysitter, or does he go out to play?

I am no means going to start having digs or having a go, but it seems a lot of parents expect the school to do everything for their child but will not do much themselves,

example MrCow has offered a great website, have you looked at this yourself before or just hoped the school would come up with something..

what have you been doing to help your son for the past 5 years that you have noticed he was having difficulties.

My ds was told he didn't write much, basically one teacher said he lacked imagination, so DS and me sat down and went through his work and we kept with it until DS understood where he was going wrong, and we both came up with plans on how to help him, he came on leaps and bounds, if left alone he wouldn't of bothered

msb5262

Boys do seem to LOVE non-fiction.
My kids have all adored the Guinness Book of Records, and moved on to be proper readers of fiction and non-fiction.
"True stories" can be ace to get boys hooked...there's a fabulous book of escape stories for instance, featuring WWII prisoners of war, which I loved and both my sons have enjoyed.
Also if you ask in your local children's library, they'll be able to give you some ideas which might catch your boy's imagination.
HTH
MsB