To ask the teacher if she has ever actually heard my daughter read?

[fernie3]

My daughter is in reception and is one of the oldest, she started full time last September. The school dont use one type of book they have lots of types that they put stickers on the front to show levels. My daughter started the year on level 1/2 and is still on that level which is surprising because she cannot even read these let alone anything more difficult. I have been reading with her at home, I have bought her books at thos level to help her, I have tried going back over the letter sounds. I have spoken to her teacher who said " yes shes come on really well since September and shei s moving well up the levels" um...no shes not. She also then went on to say that my daughter is good at using letter sounds to sound out words. She cannot do this AT ALL...if you say C..A...T she will tel you it says hat or whatever random thing pops into her head. She has no idea how to read a word. According to the reading record book she hasnt had anyone read with her in school since Jan 26th - I assumed they just were not updating it but now I am starting to think it is accurate. I feel like marching int here and demanding to know why she cant read and why the teacher doesnt know this.
I may tone it down a little but up until now I have tried to go along with the teacher would I be unreasonable to question if she actually knows anything about my daugher?

[helyg]

March in and speak to her, and when you've done that come and hold my hand when I go to speak to mine (see my AIBU thread)

[choccyp1g]

The tactful approach would be to book a meeting with the teacher, indicating that you are worried about her lack of reading ability. Hopefully the teacher will read with her before the meeting and you can work together to help your DD.

[choccyp1g]

It really does sound as though the teacher is blissfully unaware.

[SethStarkaddersMum]

yes, definitely go and talk to them.

[piscesmoon]

Don't leave it-it is too important to let slide. Take the tactful approach.

[JaneS]

Er ... does the teacher know which one is your child?

Doesn't sound like it!

Btw, mistaking 'c-a-t' for 'hat' is an interesting mistake - so she's got some of the sounds right but has lost the beginning? Or is she just purely guessing?

[Oblomov]

I think you are being unrealistic. yes there are issues here. But you could be embarrassed if you march in.
many children are just 'getting' the phonetics at this stage. then suddenly they rocket and their reading improves dramatcially. ds reads to the same lady, the TA regularly. he only reads to the teacher every so often.
Mind you saying thta he zoomed up the levels.
You need to ask specific ideas to help her spell out the words.
But be careful how you phrase it. becasue your Op comes across as very very narked. and you may have reason to be. but you have to appear reasonable.

[fernie3]

she is guessing - it doesnt have to be a similar sounding word it can be something totally random - it was just me giving an example that made it similar lol.It is quite frustrating for both of us because she has no idea what Im talking about and to be honest I am worried I am making it worse by just teaching her the wrong way - I am not a teacher I am relying on what I have read about phonics to help her. I keep getting this image of her sitting alone in the back colouring flowers (she bring at least two pictures of flowers home everyday) while the others are reading - I know its probably not like this but Im starting to wonder!

[bran]

I definitely think it's worth talking to the teacher.

As an aside if you feel that your DD needs phonics based help I found that a system called headsprout was very useful with DS. It's quite expensive, $99 for 40 episodes, but it worked extremely well for DS. Somebody on MN recommended it to me.

[CirrhosisByTheSea]

at hely

Don't march in - be professional but make an appointment, so the teacher knows you are wanting a proper talk. I've found that when the teacher knows they are going to be one to one with you, that they do dig out your child's records and have a quick look!

I'd make a few notes of the things you've mentioned here, and go through them one by one

[JaneS]

fernie, I can't see how you would be teaching her wrong if you just keep going over what letters make what sounds, don't beat yourself up. (Btw, it took me ages to learn to read and I can totally remember this stage)

I bet not all of the others can read either - there must be loads of them all doing the same stuff, she won't be sitting alone.

[acebaby]

sounds like the teacher isn't fully aware. If she is doing ORT or similar, it is possible that she is 'reading' by following the pattern (probably read with her) on the first page, and then looking at the picture

eg Kipper eats a cake; Kipper eats a lollipop (with big pics of the lollipop and cake)

DS's teacher told me that this is actually what is intended, and is designed to give the children the idea of associating text with words and reading for meaning. Apparently the stage 1+ books are really reading preparation rather than actual reading.

That said, a good reception teacher will also be doing lots of phonics work and should know exactly how your DD is getting on.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on!