My four oldest children are doing their SATs this week. Sats are exams that children do from the age of seven, every year. They are tests done under exam conditions that last for a school week.
The atmosphere in the house has been "tense" to say the least. My oldest has been absolutely exhausted and very stroppy. Lloyd has managed to stay on the bright side, as he had a birthday to look forward to today. Bless him; he did not moan once about Sats on his birthday, I would have moaned if it were me!
Jordan seems unbothered by the experience, it is my oldest daughter that has been affected the worst. She is a very bright child but this seems not to make a difference to her, in fact it seems it is to her detriment. She was really distressed today as she apparently "messed up" and was concerned about how today's mistake would relate to tomorrow's tests. It was terrible to see her sob on the sofa earlier. I could not console her. Nanny cheered her up for a while by telling her about the time she was on holiday and a gust of wind blew up her skirt, in front of a crowd of people. But, by bedtime she was emotional again and tearful and I knew we were in for a rough night.
At this point, I decided to take her to see "The Wise One" my neighbour and adopted sis, this is where I go when I can not solve one of my baby’s problems. If I can't make them feel better with my words of comfort, she echoes them and her reassurance always does the trick :) How about that for fab neighbour!
So I took her to see "The Wise One" and we talked. Amy cried and then we stumbled across the subject of Bebo. Amy loves doing little quizzes online and so the idea came! Treat your sats like it is a fun quiz on bebo! So Amy went to bed tonight chatting the mantra "Sats = bebo quiz!" Well, whatever works right?
In all honestly I think Sats suck and I think they should be banned. Kids should not be put under this kind of pressure. Ok, test them from 11+ if you must, but no exams for seven year olds! Sats suck!
N.B I am editing this blog as "The Wise One" thinks that her name makes her sound old. "The Wise One" is actually young, talented and beautiful!
We have 2 doing SAT's this week and they can be a source of tension for sure. Our 11 year old has been quite cool about the whole thing but then not much ever upsets her. Our son has been a different story, he takes everything to heart.
Children should be tested at early ages but only to get them ready for the more important tests they will have to face later in their school lives.
I remember having to sit the 11+ and that was scary. (I grew up in Watford where they still have Grammar Schools), I was lucky enough to fail the test so was able to go to the TEC with my friends.
We have 2 doing SAT's this week and they can be a source of tension for sure. Our 11 year old has been quite cool about the whole thing but then not much ever upsets her. Our son has been a different story, he takes everything to heart.
Children should be tested at early ages but only to get them ready for the more important tests they will have to face later in their school lives.
I remember having to sit the 11+ and that was scary. (I grew up in Watford where they still have Grammar Schools), I was lucky enough to fail the test so was able to go to the TEC with my friends.
I found it hard watching the yr 2's I taught for my first yr teaching practice struggle through their SATs its heart breaking because where you would normally give them a spelling or explain to them the question (while normally giving them the answer) during these tests you can't (unless the child has specific special needs that means they need the extra help). I have never in my whole life wanted to hug 30 children all at once and tell them everything will be ok and that these silly tests don't actually achieve anything other than league tables and huge amounts of stress. *BIG HIGS* for all your children MTW
I found it hard watching the yr 2's I taught for my first yr teaching practice struggle through their SATs its heart breaking because where you would normally give them a spelling or explain to them the question (while normally giving them the answer) during these tests you can't (unless the child has specific special needs that means they need the extra help). I have never in my whole life wanted to hug 30 children all at once and tell them everything will be ok and that these silly tests don't actually achieve anything other than league tables and huge amounts of stress. *BIG HIGS* for all your children MTW
Well they are over today THANK GOODNESS! That's it until next year, then I will have five doing them instead of four OUCH!
Emmy, I really hope you go back into teaching, we need more teachers like you :)
Well they are over today THANK GOODNESS! That's it until next year, then I will have five doing them instead of four OUCH!
Emmy, I really hope you go back into teaching, we need more teachers like you :)
MTW I'm thinking of going back in but as things have changed so much int he 18months I've been out I'm going to apply for TA jobs to start with, get my experience back up to what it should be and then go for it in a yr or so hopefully I'll be able to do that. Keep your fingers crossed for me
MTW I'm thinking of going back in but as things have changed so much int he 18months I've been out I'm going to apply for TA jobs to start with, get my experience back up to what it should be and then go for it in a yr or so hopefully I'll be able to do that. Keep your fingers crossed for me
They are firmly crossed :)
A lot of schools have their own websites now and they are advertising any vacancies, might be worth keeping an eye on them. If I hear of anything advertised at the kid's school I shall give you a yell. Becs x
They are firmly crossed :)
A lot of schools have their own websites now and they are advertising any vacancies, might be worth keeping an eye on them. If I hear of anything advertised at the kid's school I shall give you a yell. Becs x
[quote][bold]emmylou83[/bold] wrote:
MTW I'm thinking of going back in but as things have changed so much int he 18months I've been out I'm going to apply for TA jobs to start with, get my experience back up to what it should be and then go for it in a yr or so hopefully I'll be able to do that. Keep your fingers crossed for me[/quote] I wish you luck with finding a TA post and hope that you find the confidence and opportunity to return to teaching full time. The fact that you have spent time away from academia temping should have given you the ability to empathise with the problems that parents on low wages have.
emmylou83 wrote:
MTW I'm thinking of going back in but as things have changed so much int he 18months I've been out I'm going to apply for TA jobs to start with, get my experience back up to what it should be and then go for it in a yr or so hopefully I'll be able to do that. Keep your fingers crossed for me
I wish you luck with finding a TA post and hope that you find the confidence and opportunity to return to teaching full time. The fact that you have spent time away from academia temping should have given you the ability to empathise with the problems that parents on low wages have.
As a future primary school teacher I really don't see the point of SATS tests. If a primary school teacher cannot accurately assess a 7 year old without a test then they should not be teaching. As with most of secondary the ability to properly TEACH is hindered by the need to churn out results. In my opinion this leaves many teachers with no choice but to focus on the 'middle of the road' pupils. By this I mean those that could get good marks with help instead of bad marks. The teachers 'bring them on' in order to get a more impressive overall class score. This sounds great but it means they don't have time for the bottom or top end children and that has ramifications for those children. I do not presume to know what is best before I am qualified but my instinct is that this isn't it.
I also agree with the points that have been made re how stressfull the tests are for little ones. It can really discourage bright but nervous pupils and a bad mark for a conscientious pupil is enough to stop them in their tracks. Ridiculous I think.
Goodness- what a rant. You can tell, I think, I am a future teacher against over testing primary school children!
As a future primary school teacher I really don't see the point of SATS tests. If a primary school teacher cannot accurately assess a 7 year old without a test then they should not be teaching. As with most of secondary the ability to properly TEACH is hindered by the need to churn out results. In my opinion this leaves many teachers with no choice but to focus on the 'middle of the road' pupils. By this I mean those that could get good marks with help instead of bad marks. The teachers 'bring them on' in order to get a more impressive overall class score. This sounds great but it means they don't have time for the bottom or top end children and that has ramifications for those children. I do not presume to know what is best before I am qualified but my instinct is that this isn't it.
I also agree with the points that have been made re how stressfull the tests are for little ones. It can really discourage bright but nervous pupils and a bad mark for a conscientious pupil is enough to stop them in their tracks. Ridiculous I think.
Goodness- what a rant. You can tell, I think, I am a future teacher against over testing primary school children!
I have been regularly reading it actually- I did comment using my real name a few times. I am just not keen on putting 'real' information out there.
I start training in September actually- just saving the money to go back to Uni! I'm really looking forward to it. I did some work experience a while back to make sure it was what I wanted to do and I am keen now to get started and get stuck in! How is/was work experience at the Adver?
I have been regularly reading it actually- I did comment using my real name a few times. I am just not keen on putting 'real' information out there.
I start training in September actually- just saving the money to go back to Uni! I'm really looking forward to it. I did some work experience a while back to make sure it was what I wanted to do and I am keen now to get started and get stuck in! How is/was work experience at the Adver?
[quote][bold]john c[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]emmylou83[/bold] wrote: MTW I'm thinking of going back in but as things have changed so much int he 18months I've been out I'm going to apply for TA jobs to start with, get my experience back up to what it should be and then go for it in a yr or so hopefully I'll be able to do that. Keep your fingers crossed for me[/quote] I wish you luck with finding a TA post and hope that you find the confidence and opportunity to return to teaching full time. The fact that you have spent time away from academia temping should have given you the ability to empathise with the problems that parents on low wages have.[/quote] Trust me I do, But I can also empathise with young single people such as myself on a rubbish wage £6ph just doesnt cover anything I'm still living at home which is ok for now but i'll be 25 soon I need my own place and I can't do that just yet,
Oooh if you hear of anything that would be fabulous hun thanks
Grad wish you all the luck in the world its a tough job but someone has to do it
john c wrote:
emmylou83 wrote: MTW I'm thinking of going back in but as things have changed so much int he 18months I've been out I'm going to apply for TA jobs to start with, get my experience back up to what it should be and then go for it in a yr or so hopefully I'll be able to do that. Keep your fingers crossed for me
I wish you luck with finding a TA post and hope that you find the confidence and opportunity to return to teaching full time. The fact that you have spent time away from academia temping should have given you the ability to empathise with the problems that parents on low wages have.
Trust me I do, But I can also empathise with young single people such as myself on a rubbish wage £6ph just doesnt cover anything I'm still living at home which is ok for now but i'll be 25 soon I need my own place and I can't do that just yet,
Oooh if you hear of anything that would be fabulous hun thanks
Grad wish you all the luck in the world its a tough job but someone has to do it
[quote]emmylou83 wrote:I'm still living at home which is ok for now but i'll be 25 soon I need my own place and I can't do that just yet,[/quote]
I have just worked out that if my youngest stays at home until that age I will be subsidising him out of my pension. Wow now I do fell old.
emmylou83 wrote:I'm still living at home which is ok for now but i'll be 25 soon I need my own place and I can't do that just yet,
I have just worked out that if my youngest stays at home until that age I will be subsidising him out of my pension. Wow now I do fell old.
[quote][bold]john c[/bold] wrote:
[quote]emmylou83 wrote:I'm still living at home which is ok for now but i'll be 25 soon I need my own place and I can't do that just yet,[/quote] I have just worked out that if my youngest stays at home until that age I will be subsidising him out of my pension. Wow now I do fell old.[/quote] Haha I pay rent which my mum at the ripe old age of 48 :) uses to go clubbing on a saturday night in Bristol, its depressing when your folks have a better social life than you!!
Thats the other perk of going back into teaching I'll be classed as a key worker which means council have to help house me hahaha
john c wrote:
emmylou83 wrote:I'm still living at home which is ok for now but i'll be 25 soon I need my own place and I can't do that just yet,
I have just worked out that if my youngest stays at home until that age I will be subsidising him out of my pension. Wow now I do fell old.
Haha I pay rent which my mum at the ripe old age of 48 :) uses to go clubbing on a saturday night in Bristol, its depressing when your folks have a better social life than you!!
Thats the other perk of going back into teaching I'll be classed as a key worker which means council have to help house me hahaha
emmylou83,
Good on you for paying rent and a very well done to your mum for having an active social life.
Once again the best of luck getting back into teaching you never know the benefits may outweigh the troubles.
emmylou83,
Good on you for paying rent and a very well done to your mum for having an active social life.
Once again the best of luck getting back into teaching you never know the benefits may outweigh the troubles.
old = wiser :), or old = more senile = don't care :)
I would like to think the first is true for me but my daughters are of the opinion that I am going senile already.
old = wiser :), or old = more senile = don't care :)
I would like to think the first is true for me but my daughters are of the opinion that I am going senile already.
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