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DS wants to read Harry Potter but teacher thinks it'not his level.

59 replies

KillBing · 04/03/2016 22:49

Just that really. DS is in Y3 and twice he tried to take the first Harry Potter book home for reading but apparently his teacher said no as 'it's not his level'. He said he was really annoyed and angry as some of his classmates could ( higher reading level?). Since we have a copy at home buried under a ton of crap I told him he could read it and that's we could look up any word he doesn't understand. Not sure if I should have, am I undermining the teacher or should I encourage DS to read it for fun?

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DonkeyOaty · 04/03/2016 22:54

Just read your family copy.

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Archduke · 04/03/2016 22:54

Let him read it, if it's too hard and he gets bored you could read a chapter each maybe?

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RuddyHellItsSoftCell · 04/03/2016 22:55

I think a school reading book to take home needs to be at a level for the child that they can very easily read independently so they can focus on consolidation and understanding rather than just decoding. Nothing to stop you and your Dec reading and enjoying hp at home together, especially if you're there to support him. I don't think it's undermining the teacher at all. Personally I think it's great for encouraging his enjoyment of books and for stretching his reading skills.

Personally I wouldn't make to much of school refusing to give it him. Read the school reading books and so your own fun reading at home too. I know where I got my love of books from! Let school deal with the technical side and you two enjoy hp at home.

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RuddyHellItsSoftCell · 04/03/2016 22:56

Apologies for so many errors in my post bloody phone

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catkind · 04/03/2016 22:57

Home reading is fair game to read what you like. To avoid undermining you could explain that he needs to be on a different level for school books to practice particular skills. Or if you're less convinced by their system just that he needs to stick to the teacher's rules for school books but he can choose his own home/library books. I'd just be pleased he's found something he really wants to read.

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Northernlurker · 04/03/2016 22:57

Give him the book and kick the teacher's arse for limiting his aspirations. My dd is a very good reader and could cope with Harry Potter in Year 3.
You're totally right btw - reading is about fun not levels.

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Haffdonga · 04/03/2016 23:03

Try reading it to him. Harry Potter was the first long book ds ever read. I started by reading it to him at bedtimes and as he didn't want to stop the story he read the rest of it himself.

I'd never ever tell a child they can't read something as it's too hard, but partly reading it to them can help them to get a bit of momentum and into the story.

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StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 04/03/2016 23:09

Let him read what he wants to.

DS2 really liked the new illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. He could have read the standard version, but he found the layout of the illustrated edition (and having pictures to break things up) much more appealing to read.

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KillBing · 04/03/2016 23:15

Thanks for the replies. Ruddy I think you've summarised it well. I'll let the school do it's job and read it at home. I like the suggestion of reading a chapter each.

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bloodyteenagers · 04/03/2016 23:16

I am on the fence with this one.
If a book is too difficult for the reader to understand, then studies have shown that this can discourage someone from reading. If there's too many words on a page that are difficult to code, again this can have negative affects.

However, I also think that a reader should be given free range. But, again contradiction, within limits as there's books that aren't suitable for children.

Maybe read the whole thing to him, and create a discussion about the book. Thus increasing vocab without possibly discouraging an able reader.

Like I said. On the fence. As also the reader needs to be pushed to learn new words.

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KillBing · 04/03/2016 23:17

Just read my OP. Not impressed with the mistakes Blush

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Samcro · 04/03/2016 23:17

go for it.

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BeaufortBelle · 04/03/2016 23:20

HP and the Philosopher's stone was the first big read for both of mine. They probably didn't read or understand every word but it was a great starting point

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NewLife4Me · 04/03/2016 23:22

Let him read it, if you just read school level books they get bored.
Ask him if he wants to read it with your help or on his own.

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dodobookends · 04/03/2016 23:29

Let me get this straight. Your DS is enthusiastic and motivated, and wants to read a book and his teacher is actively discouraging him?

Words fail me.

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KillBing · 05/03/2016 00:11

dodo this is what he said. Maybe the teacher phrased it differently? My first reaction was similar to yours, why would you discourage him? But then I thought what if he reads it, doesn't understand all of it and get discouraged and then he would never read again aaaggghhh.

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mrz · 05/03/2016 05:54

Teachers don't care what children read at home. The important thing is that they read. If you have a copy of the book he wants to read great if not perhaps you could get it from the library.
The teacher will allocate books depending on learning need. Personally I think it's wrong to say an outright no rather than try it to see his he manages. The teacher may feel he will be put off if it's too difficult. At home you can read it together so he doesn't struggle.
Why does he want to read this book in particular?

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Washediris · 05/03/2016 06:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Haffdonga · 05/03/2016 10:30

I'm sure your ds will understand HP. He just may not have the stamina to keep going if he's still at the stage of needing to focus on what the words say rather than what the sentences mean.

At this age a child's level of comprehension is usually well above their 'decoding' ability so they can understand much more than they can read on their own. That's why reading to them well after they've learnt the basics of decoding is so vital - helps to build their vocabularies, grasp more complex grammatical forms, more inference and plot development and enjoy books at a much deeper level.

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megletthesecond · 05/03/2016 10:35

Read it at home. Me and 9yo ds have got up to Goblet now.

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BertrandRussell · 05/03/2016 10:40

There is a big difference between a school reading book for learning new reading skills, which needs to be at the right level, and other stuff they can have a go at at other times.

Doesn't he have books at home? If not, get him a ton from charity shops and boot fairs and things. Fill a book case in his room with roughly age appropriate books and let him get on with it.

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lorrrycat · 05/03/2016 10:44

I bought the new illustrated edition for my 7yo at Christmas (it was as much a present for me as it was him). I read most of it to him as we are both big HP fans. He reads parts himself but my biggest aim is to encourage a want/love to read in him. It's working as when we're finished, he takes it off to bed to read some more!

DS wants to read Harry Potter but teacher thinks it'not his level.
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Muskey · 05/03/2016 10:50

I would be a bit annoyed at the teacher for limiting ambition but there is nothing stopping you reading it at home with your dc. What I would say is that if your dc finds it too difficult then be there to provide him with some support

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BrandNewAndImproved · 05/03/2016 10:55

I really doubt the teacher is wanting to limit his ambition.

It's probably a case of reading bands and until your ds can comprehend the text they don't move up. My dd read hp at home in year two and then read it again 5 times as she couldn't take it all in. Your ds can read whatever he wants at home but school reading is different.

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fuzzpig · 05/03/2016 11:01

I can see why your DS is upset to be told he was unable to read it. Just read it at home instead. If a child wants to read something I think they should be allowed to, as long as it's not inappropriate content.

My DD progressed to longer chapter books recently (she's like I was in that she is confident at the actual reading, but often struggles with comprehension) and when she worried it was too long we compromised - she would read the first 3 pages of every chapter and then I'd read the rest. That worked really well and I think we will gradually increase the proportion read by her.

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