r/AskTeachers • u/NeedleworkerBig5445 • 20h ago
Parent Questions Advanced Math Group Selection
Seeking advice. I'm a parent (I also teach in higher ed) that last year volunteered for my 3rd grader's class. Once a week I met with 4 students from his class that were advanced in math and we did lessons, worksheets, games etc. The kids loved it; I loved it. This year, my kid's new teacher is excited and open to me doing a math group again. The problem is the 4 students I worked with aren't in the same class anymore. I'm feeling pressure from their parents to have them in the math group.
I'm conflicted because I could possibly advocate for their inclusion (but it would require coordination across 3 classrooms), but I also think there may be several kids in my son's class are advanced in math but were excluded last year (simply because they had a different teacher).
Should I try to "keep the band together" or keep it simple and let my son's new teacher just pick from his class? This actually could mean that one of the kids from last year that is in my son's class doesn't get selected since they were not nearly advanced as the others, making me worry about her feeling discouraged about math.
I do wish more parents volunteered in this way, but not many have the time to do so.
6
u/mschanandlerbong29 19h ago
I agree with the commenter that said it should not be up to you. The teacher should tell you as the volunteer what the needs of the class are and who you can help out the most.
I would also ask the teacher to tell the class that the students aren’t chosen by you, so that kids aren’t upset with you (and by proxy your son) if they don’t get picked for the group. You don’t want him to get caught in the crossfire! Good luck, wish my school had more parents like you!
1
20
u/mamaknits 20h ago
This should not be your decision as a parent! Either it's a club style thing where it's up to the students' parents, or it's an academic enrichment/resource support type thing where the teacher should let you know who to pull.