I remember getting reprimanded by a teacher in 6th grade for working ahead. I don't remember if it was done in front of my classmates or not, but my mom and I still roll our eyes about it (my father was not quite as calm about it, and would still probably start huffing and grumbling about it over 25 years later). I don't even remember if he gave in and decided it was ok for me to work ahead, or if I just sat at my desk and ignored him during class and read a book or braided bracelets as my friends and I often did during class that year. My horrible 6th grade teachers and my utter boredom that year were the last straw that led to my parents giving in and letting me skip a grade.
I agree with following his lead on it this time, but also on keeping an eye on the situation in case it escalates and you need to step in.
DS 2/14
DD 8/17
My 11-year-old can rush through assignments to finish early, and it ends up being a hot mess. But he doesn't love school and would rather be done than have it be done right. I'm at the point where I don't know if I would care if a teacher called him out.
But given that the OP's son is in an honors type class and seems more consciousness of his work, I agree that it's strange.
Last edited by carolinacool; 02-12-2021 at 12:26 PM.
DS: Raising heck since 12/09
I haven't read any of the other responses so....anyway, I wouldn't contact the teacher for this. If my child was worried or upset, I would encourage him to email the teacher, if for no other reason to make him feel that he did something. I'd definitely help word the email if asked.
A wise teacher from our elementary school once told me that she required her kids to contact teachers twice about a matter before she got involved after elementary school. She was a true mama bear too. I've used this guideline as well and find it empowers my kids while knowing I'll always stand with them if needed. It's been very effective during virtual learning to state, "I believe xxxx emailed you last week about this assignment/issue" in my correspondence. (I'm not trying to nail the teacher or anything, but it seems to bode well for my kids with their teacher/student relationship)
Mom to Two Wild and Crazy Boys and One Sweet Baby Girl
Mama to :
DS1 (July 2011)
DD (Feb 2014-June 2015)
DS2 (Apr 2017)
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...Until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it."
--Atticus Finch (To Kill A Mockingbird)
I wouldn’t call a kid out in public, but sometimes I verbally add to the directions of an assignment, so if a kid did his work early they would be missing those steps, and have to redo the assignment.
A few weeks back I gave a math test to my students. We were doing the test over two days and I told the kids to not go ahead because certain questions asked that the problem be demonstrated a certain way. I had one kid who thinks he knows how to do everything, go ahead and race through the test and submitted it. He ended up failing the test because he did not follow any of the written or oral directions. This may not be the case with your son, but I understand where the teacher is coming from when they ask a student to not go ahead.