Reading book levels?

[Spud90]

Hi everyone!

My 6 year old is currently on level 5 for his reading books at school but I think they are way too easy for him. He was on level 2 at the beginning of year 1 and he's forgetful so doesn't always remember to put it in the basket to be swapped.

At his school they move up a level when they've read all the books in that level and teachers don't regularly read with them. Other people I've spoke to say their school move them up by their ability.

He can read four level 5 books in a row so obviously they're too easy. I started buying the books myself and we were reading level 6 books at home. I bought a book band 7 book thinking it was level 7 but realised after that it was level 9. He read it fluently and didn't need to sound many words out but he complained it was too long. I bought an actual level 7 book today and it was pretty much perfect length for him.

He will obviously have a new teacher come September and I'd really like him moving up to level 7. Does anyone know how teachers determine what level they should be on? Can I just tell them what level I want him on?

Thanks!

[TeenAndTween]

Depends on the school.
You could try lying to them and say he read levels 5 & 6 over the summer?

It isn't just reading though, it is comprehension and inference too.

[mrz]

Something to think about.
Levelled books are a throw back to a system we no longer use because it was ineffective so levels should be taken with a pinch of salt

[user789653241]

I can't believe that the school that make children read all the books in the level before moving up exists. They don't care about the actual ability of children? Seems like crap teaching.
I would list all the books he read during the summer, and speak to the teacher in new school year.
But I wouldn't stick to levelled books, I would rather let them read the books of their choice from library, etc.

[CruCru]

Does he have a reading diary? If so, write that the book was too easy for him and can he have a more difficult one whenever he gets a book that is too easy.

[Logoplanter]

I don't know but I'd like to think his new teacher will get a report from his last teacher and use that as a starting point and then read with him to determine if he's moved on over the summer.

I'd probably wait to see what book he comes back with initially and have a chat with him about how he got that book and then take it from there.

For what it's worth DS is also 6 and will be going into Y2 this September. He was moved up to level 7 in the last term. He can also read higher levels but finds the length a bit daunting. I think it's about getting a balance between challenging them but not putting them off by making them too hard.

[karinkeller]

It's not quite that the school does not care about children's actual abilities. But rather, they follow the levelled reading system as a consistent framework to guide teachers (of diverse experiences and abilities) on the appropriate reading level for the students' age group.

However, i will think for most schools, the teachers will hear from parents ( great source of input ) to adjust the appropriate reading level for the particular child. Will be good to provide this input in a diary or communications booklet.

[Ginmummy1]

How are his comprehension and inference skills?

I would suggest you wait until he gets his first book back in Y2. If it is at the previous level or he finds it very easy, I’d try to have a brief chat with the teacher and say that he’s done loads of reading over the summer and you feel he’s come on in leaps and bounds, and you wonder whether the teacher could reassess him to see if he’s still on the correct level.

There may be any number of reasons why he’s on the level he’s on. Hopefully the new teacher will be able to explain how it works in that particular school.

Meanwhile, encourage him to use the library over the summer, to choose books he’s interested, at an appropriate level of difficulty but not necessarily linked to ‘levels’.

[mrz]

"But rather, they follow the levelled reading system as a consistent framework to guide teachers " which they shouldn't be doing if they are following the English curriculum

[Imaginosity]

Does it actually matter what level he's on in school? You can just get him some books he will enjoy from the library and let him read those with you at home.

[harold81]

The intent here could be trying to align school and home's reading levels to the child's ability, in order not to confuse the child, as he spends a significant amount of hours at school.

[RHOLST39]

My little boy just finished reception on orange books, I think level 6?! Xx

[user789653241]

RHOLST39, great, and your point is?

[CruCru]

On the other hand, as long as he is reading books at the right level at home, it may not matter what sort of books he brings home from school. If he whizzes through the school books, it will give you more time to do the home books.

[RHOLST39]

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

You do know you can read some free as online versions on oxford owl.

[Tomorrowillbeachicken]

Also if he can read level nine he could try red banana books if your library has them or the Orion early readers.