Disappointed by the choice of books in my son’s reception class

My dd would have headed STRAIGHT for the purple llama. And read it with delight-ignoring the shelves of carefully created books in her room. She has a 1st in an arts subject. My do would have chosen anything with a digger or a football on it. The key is to make reading a pleasure for them.

I hope you didn’t show your distaste - your DC would have chosen the book because, at that age, it excited them!

I had a year 2 class, it wasn't until I left and took all my belongings with me I realised how many of the books in our class library actually belonged to me. It's sad that not every classroom has access to a range of books. Though equally I have been in homes where there is not one book to read. I love books and you are right there are so many great books out there and lots of absolute rubbish. My gripe is with celebrity authors - not all but many.

In over 20 years as a primary class teacher, I never got to choose the books that were in my classrooms.

Surely you know the TEACHER doesn’t pick the books?

Sadly, the DfE and OFSTED push reading schemes. They don't trust teachers to use their own judgement/skill/training/ experience to teach children to read without them. A fellow ranter, who.is also a retired teacher.

What books do you think they should have ?
You could buy some and donate them.
Schools don't have a lot of money and many of the books they have in the library will have been donated

You have a treat in store when your DC gets up into the main school and is subjected to reading scheme books so dull that they put my previously bookish DS off reading for years. We did manage to bring it round eventually at home but I really don't think it's too much to ask for schools not to actively put kids off reading

I would hazard a guess that in the first month they are using whichever books best assess their ability.

mine did the school ones, and I always assumed reception teachers know what they are doing and why, far better than I did.

then I bought loads for at home and donated the whole lot to the school once they were finished with.

Sorry not a fellow “ venter” but a retired teacher.
Funding is extremely limited in schools. Resources including books are supplemented by donations.

Basic resources including glue sticks and crayons are often bought by teachers.
Books that go home often aren’t returned or are damaged. Some classes will have books that children can choose to take home to share.

Budget will be spent on reading scheme books and phonics resources. The classics and favourites will no doubt stay in the classroom.
Some schools are lucky to have good, well stocked libraries and others don’t even have room for one or enough funding.

Just read it’s lighthearted but wanted to clarify with the emphasis on blaming the TEACHER.

Are these scheme books or books for you to read?

Scheme books are dull. They are designed to concentrate on phonics.

Library books... well they are usually donated. They need replacing regularly. Tge onlyvway to improve is to donate better books.

nothing stopping you from buying some books for the school.

Have you been in to see the range of books? Maybe this is what your dd is choosing from lots of lovely books they have. I wouldn't be to concerned though, it's great they get to choose the books they want to read and bring home. It is really important for children to enjoy reading and maybe you don't have these types of books at home for them to enjoy. What we see as bad they might really like!

I felt the same when my dd preferred the Rainbow Magic Fairies to the Ladybird Classics I'd lovingly bought for her and was so looking forward to read. I thought, why would anyone rather read this naff and predictable rubbish than something like The Secret Garden that pulls you through the spectrum of human experiences like grief and fear and retribution.

But then I remembered (tbf DH reminded me), she's 5. She doesn't want high literature. She wants Rainbow Magic Fairies. At least it's a book.

Let it go op!

Any harm done to the child?
Read your favorites from the library or buy them yourselves.