to expect reading books to reflect ability?

[moogster1a]

right, I'll get the smugness out of the way straight off. DS has just started reception and can read almost anything. I'm not talking Herman Hesse, but he can read books which I know are way above his age.
After his first week at reception he came home with a level 1 book which was way too simple, so I commented that it was too simple in his reading diary, and the next week he got level 2, still too simple etc. etc. til last week it was level4.
I made the comment agin that it's too simple and could we have a higher level ( he read the book in the 4 minute journey home and knew every single word, he puts on different voices when there's speech marks )
Today the reading diary came back with a note from his teacher saying that after talking to the literacy coordinator they are keeping him at level 4 so he can enjoy the books.
I think the implication is I'm being too pushy, but he gets his own books at home and reads every night in bed.Is there a legitimate reason why they don't want to give him books where he might need to learn a word or two?

This is a common complaint and several things usually come out of discussions about it:

1. The reading books are about more than just reading the words easilly, therefore even if the words are being read with ease there are other elements relating to comprehensioin, story constructioin, grammar, punctuation that are still relevant;

2. There is nothing soptting you whizzing through school book and then doing your own reading books with your son

I don't think you're BU. He sounds like he's a really good reader and is getting lots of good reading opportunities at home. As his reading skills are good, the best thing to do is lots of talk about the books - favourite characters/settings/events, talk about character emotions, features of non-fiction books etc.
I think you'd be best talking to the teacher face to face about it - to try and find out why they want to keep him on level 4. But don't worry too much - it sounds like he's doing lots of reading at home!
(I am a teacher and while I want my children to enjoy reading, if they have books that are waaay to easy for them, they can sometimes switch off and not be bothered anymore!)

What Oggy said

There's always the chance that other parents, on seeing your DS with a Level 4 book, will demand their DCS get them too, when their DCs aren't up to them, and that could cause all kinds of hassles for the teacher.
We tend to just read the school book once if it's one they find really easy, then we can sign off to say we've done it, and they read their own books after that. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow a bit, the teacher has to deal with the class as a whole as well as child by child.

I agree with Oggy :)

It is not just about reading/identifying the words, it's about understanding the book.
Being able to see ahead and predict what is going to happen.

FWIW, the school books my Yr 1 gets home are a band below the level she is working on in school. The schools thoughts are that we are busy parents who shouldn't 'have' to teach our children to read.

If you are that concerned, get yourself off to the library :).

I just thought that if the teachers were differentiating for each child he would get something to actually improve his reading at school 'cos I worry he will get bored and switch off

At some point he will be assessed and given a reading age. I would wait until parents evening then see how things are. If you are reading at home you can virtually disregard the reading scheme, just sign the book. I hear what you're saying about punctuation, but I once heard a 'good reader' who read the whole book to me as one long uninterrupted stream, he had no idea at all of the meaning of what he'd read. I wouldn't discuss your concern in the playground either!

Agree with oggy

Although at one time I was also of your opinion :)

YANBU ...but don't stress it!

Good readers stay that way ...just humor the school

He might be a bit different with the teacher than with you - if he's a bit more shy with the teacher, she might not think he's very happy reading at that level. I'm sure he will be fine with it all soon, don't worry too much!

YANBU. Each child should be given work at their own level. And if other parents don't like it that's their problem, not yours.