I know I need to relax and that this is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Help me to see sense! dd1 was able to read when she started school. School immediately assessed her and put her on to green band reading books. By the end of reception she was on gold band. In between we moved schools, but the new school kept her on the same band as she was on previously.
Now dd2 has started reception at the same school dd1 is now at. She is a natural reader and has been taught phase 2 and phase 3 phonics at home (I am a teacher and have some knowledge of how to teach phonics). She is as good as, if not better, as dd1 at the same age. She can read Naughty Amelia Jane books at home.
School have spotted that she can read. Yesterday, though, we had a reading meeting for new starters' parents. I was not impressed. They explained that all the children would start on wordless reading books, then move on to the pink books. Some might be on red and possibly yellow band by the end of the year. I felt as if all children were being expected to start at the same point, regardless of whether or not they could already read. I did ask about it, but didn't get a clear answer.
Now I don't want to be one of THOSE parents. I know there is much more to reading than phonetic decoding and we do work on this too. However I don't see the point of wordless reading books. I think they encourage children to look at picture cues later on, rather than using their knowledge of phonics to break down words. I particularly don't see the point of them for children who can already read. dd is also already well past the level they expect children to be on by year 1. I am worried they'll want all the children to be at the same stage.
How can I chill out and stop worrying? dd2 will be fine, the school will teach her in their own way I know. She can read - this isn't going to change anything. I do worry though!
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I need to chill out!
49 replies
dontcallmehon · 25/09/2012 09:46
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