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Yr 1 reading level lime - just been told his comprehension is poor

5 replies

emmaj1045 · 14/12/2011 00:21

My DS has been doing really well with his reading and his teacher has rapidly put him up reading levels, from purple to lime this year. However, I was taken to one side this week to be told that they had had a reading test and although his decoding is good his comprehension is only average for his age. I am a bit annoyed that they were not aware of this before.
What can I do to help him with his comprehension? He is a shy boy and I am not sure if he doesn't understand or is worried about giving the wrong answers!

OP posts:

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Joyn · 14/12/2011 00:55

If his understanding is average for his age & his decoding is good, he's doing well!

The key thing to do is to talk more about the stories/texts with him as you go along. Rather than just listening to him read, stop & ask questions, like 'oh, that's exciting, what do you think is going to happen next,' or 'oh no, how do you think x feels now?'

Also point out details of what's happening in the pictures & don't be scarred to stop him mid sentence (although of course not every sentance,) to ask if he understood any tricky words/phrase. If he has books that are taking him more than 1 night to read, at the beginning of the session ask him to remind you in his own words whats going on.

Lastly, I usually finish up my reading sessions with dd(yr1,) by asking her what she enjoyed most about the story (or what she learnt if it's a factual book,) & telling her what I found interesting or surprising or whatever. Comment on the plot, language used, the descriptions & developing empathy!

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Iamnotminterested · 14/12/2011 08:13

OP I would be a bit cheesed off with school too! Have they not done reading tests before now to establish his level of comprehension? I suppose the obvious thing to happen now is to put him back a bit with the school books so be prepared for this. (I speak from experience BTW; sorted itself out)

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gabid · 14/12/2011 10:00

He is doing well for his age, fine. But the school got it wrong, I thought that's what guided reading is for, for the teacher to check reading and comprehension. In our school they read with the teacher about once a week and talk about the book. I don't think he should have been moved on if he doesn't understand what he is reading.

I think they will have to take a step back in order to fix that as well as what Joyn suggested. Did the school not give you suggestions on how to do it?

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Oggy · 14/12/2011 11:36

Do you feel there is a comprehension issue when you read with him? Reason I ask is that my son hates the reading scheme books and is lazy and can't be arsed to engage in any discussion about them. School believes he has a comprehension issue but having done lots of reading for pleasure with him using books he does enjoy it is clear he can engage in detailed and animated discussion about the book when the book excites him.

I have no idea what the situation is in your case, but I would (from my experience) recommend as a starting point doing some reading with him yourself with books he has selected himself and you know he enjoys and get a feel for his comprehension levels yourself because it is a possibility that he just doesn't want to talk about them rather than he isn't capable of talking about them IYSWIM.

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emmaj1045 · 14/12/2011 13:08

Thanks for your messages. I think that the school is very poor at guided reading, my DH has only ever had one comment in his book! From his reading chart at school he has been listened to maybe five times this term.
I was helping at the school and listened in overheard a TA putting every child up a level at the end of half term. 5 minutes listening and then 'I think you are ready to go up a level' to ALL of them!
Iamnotminterested I think you are right that he should at least go down one level as he didn't read any of those books at all and they might be a bit easier to grasp.
Joyn and Oggy- Thanks for all of your suggestions. I think that there is some lack of understanding and some reluctance to talk about what he is reading so I will work to make that the norm when we read at home which might make him open up a bit more at school.