Should I chat to the teacher about DD's seating arrangements?

Ok, so this may seem like a lame thread title, but DD came home yesterday complaining that she is having trouble concentrating in class because of the group that she is seated with.

Bit of background info... first day of school and we arrived 'late' at 8.30am and the only seat left for DD to choose from was with a group of boys. (tables have 6 kids at them) She was a little upset, but eventually got over it.

Last term she started coming home complaining about being bored. I happened to mention it to her teacher, who was extremely concerned that it was her fault for not noticing, and said she would give DD some extra work in class if she wanted it.
I thought it might have been something she was 'going through' at the time, especially as she had just become a big sister, and i thought it might have been a bit of an adjustment issue in general.

So then last night she tells me she is having trouble concentrating because of the boys at her table.

Now, I know that she doesn't have a problem sitting with the boys, so I'm pretty sure this isn't why she wants to move. I do believe her when she says she is having trouble concentrating, but I feel like I'll be a whinging parent asking the teacher to move another child from their seat to my DD's.

How would you feel? Would you feel like a whinging troublemaker? (I hate making a fuss) or would you just get on with it because ultimately it's not about me is it?

I would have to have a quiet chat with her teacher about it though, all the kids in the class know when other parents have gone over and asked their kids be moved ( especially the parent whose child had had a tiff with one girl at her table) and I wouldn't want DD to be singled out by some girls as a result.

Nic

has DD suggested any way in which she thinks the problem would be changed? is it because the other kids mess up too much, or something like that? i would probably have a word with the teacher not so much about moving DD (if she doesn't want to be singled out) - but more about DD mentioning that the behaviour of the others is making her time at school difficult. it might encourage the teacher to come down a bit harder on them so that your DD doesn't have to move, but also doesn't have to put up with obnxious brats...

hmm.. If she's ok with being where she is I don't think I'd ask for her to be moved, there can be valuable lessons in learning to cope with circumstances rather than be given an out each time.

But I would tell the teacher that she feels she can't concentrate, perhaps she can keep an eye on the table and make sure they all get on with their work.

Aah classroom politics.. something for me to look forward to ;)

As a teacher I would much rather know! I'd hate for one of my mums to be worrying about something and me not knowing about it. Just be open and honest...that you don't want to be 'difficult' etc...ask for advice...'is there something DD could do to help the situation'...oh...make a time too so you're not catching the teacher at a bad time...it's much easier when we have time put aside to have an uninterrupted conversation! Good luck :)

I'd have a chat with the teacher it's better to be a whinging mum and DD be happy than to sit back and let it effect her schooling!
Best of Luck!!!
Snoopea

It's more me that is worried about DD being singled out. She is friends with all the girls in her class, but some are just..mmm..starting to get catty and play the "I have mobile phone and you don't" game (this is towards all the kids in the class, though DD hasn't told me of it yet)

I know the boys are a bit loud. There has been a couple of parents request their boys be moved apart, because they were just forever chatting to one another, playing and not concentrating on their work.

From what DD tells me, they all work well together on 'group' projects/brainstorming, but it's not something that happens often.

Her teacher is quite open to us talking to her about our concerns. She is THE teacher that all the parents hope their children have when the class lists go up, so I found out last year when I was congratulated on 'getting her' believe it or not.

DD mentioned to me last night that she was going to have a chat to the teacher herself! This is a little girl who is pretty confident, but I've never had her say she will do something like this, it's usually her asking me to go with her (not that she has asked for this before, just in life in general i mean)

Thanks girls, you've given me a few ideas on how I should/could approach the subject differently than the "Can she be moved"

I do know the teacher is absolutely stretched (though I'm pretty sure all teachers are) with certain kids in the class. The poor teacher has probably had a bad week this week with the national assessments being handed back and some rather unhappy parents!

Nic

Ok so maybe it is just me but when I was at school I remember the tables moving all the time. I don't think that there would have been a full term where we all sat in the one spot. Is it weird that they are still sitting in the same spots that they had the first day of school?

But if she is uncomfortable then I think that you really have to do something about it - and the girls have given you some fantastic ideas.
When I was in 5th class I had to sit between two boys for the whole year. Everyone else in the class got to move about but the three of us always sat in a line. In hindsight I know that it was so they wouldn't fight but at the time I thought I was being punished. They used to undo their flys and measure their penises with my ruler and it upset me greatly but I never told anyone (Now of course I can look back and laugh that they always came up with the same number - 5cm!) But I really wish that I had been proactive and said that I didn't like sitting there.

I tend to move my class around a bit so that the difficult kids are shared around IYKWIM? Your poor DD is probably there cause she has to have some good kids in between the noisier ones to keep them more settled.
I would casually mention it when you get a chance but if she is still dealing with the fallout from NAPLAN maybe leave it a bit!

personally, i would be speaking to the teacher - i would rather be known as the annoying parent then for my kids education to be effected, if your daughter cant concerntrate then something needs to be done - but that is my opinion

Well, I think it's excellent that DD is going to take it into her own hands. What a smart little chickie. If she's in any way dissatisfied with the outcome, I would ask DD if she wants you to speak to the teacher. I'd give her the choice and that way, you can both talk about pros and cons and maybe you'll come up with a different solution altogether.

It's a fine line isn't it between being over-protective and letting our kids down? I guess I'm a little sensitive on this because there were a few things that I told my mum about at a very young age and she did nothing and I really wanted her to save me.

I would just mention it so the teacher can be aware..

my son keeps getting moved to suit a couple other children in the class and it bugs me because it isn't for his benefit.. One child was always getting up and walking across the class to talk to Ethan so the teacher moved them to sit together and well that lasted 3 weeks before they got moved again.. It just bugs me cus instead of telling this 9 yr old sit down don't move they move him to where he wants and then he becomes a distraction to my son