Re: Algebra at Primary School


"Ian Johnston" <ian.groups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-Cd1nkbJHen1I@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> On Sat, 10 Dec 2005 11:52:05 UTC, "JoL" <trinity.junk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> : It's all very well to encourage her etc, however do think of the future
> : implications. How will she behave when the rest of her class in year 7
> are
> : being taught the basics of algebra and she can already do higher GCSE
> work
> : or better?
>
> Are you seriously suggesting that she should be held back because the
> school should not be expected to meet her educational needs? If so, I
> really to think it's quite outrageous - and doomed to failure anyway.
> Much of the bad behaviour I encounter in school age children comes
> from frustrated ability.
>

No, if the school want to engage her on an extension program thats fine, as
they will know how it impacts on her normal lessons. I would hope that the
parent concerned has asked to speak to the G&T leader at the school, as
presumably this child is on the G&T register. However any parent wishing to
fast-track their own children at home, but not home-educate them fully (i.e.
they still attend normal mainstream schools that have a set curriculum) need
to be aware of the impact this will have on their child in the long-term -
I'm not saying don't do it - I'm saying think about it carefully and decide
whether upwards developing a narrow knowledge base is the right option or
whether further enrichment in a broader mathematical sense is more
appropriate to keep the enjoyment!

I've taught very able children throughout my career, just last year I had
one pupil starting to study Decision Maths in 2 out of the 3 maths lessons
in Year 8 (i.e. it doesn't impact on what we do in class which he picks up
without needing 'teaching' yet broadens his horizons mathematically and
challenges him (esp as his Upper School don't offer this as an A-Level
Option) but he still keeps up with what we are doing in the main class as he
attended these lessons once a week).

Of course NRich is an excellent starting point for parents of able
mathematicians http://www.nrich.maths.org.uk/public/index.php

Jo


.

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