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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get annoyed at the level of book dd sent home with

47 replies

Leena49 · 09/09/2012 23:57

Dd has gone into year 2 and her first book to read this week was so easy and most of all boring it was laughable. Afterwards dd said check some difficult words with me mum and I couldn't find one word that would have been challenging.
Can teachers not send kids home with books that match their reading ability? I'm not a tiger mummy but I just think its a pretty basic thing to get right.

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 10/09/2012 00:00

If she's just gone into year 2, she probably won't have had a reading assessment yet.

Reading books are not about challenging or difficult words necessarily, they're about comprehension. Many kids can read the words on the page, but would not be able to tell you accurately what the story was about.

I'm quite sure once she's settled in, she'll be given reading books that suit her.

In the meantime, it makes no odds as I'm sure she has many books to read at home.

Chill out - no need to get annoyed.

toobreathless · 10/09/2012 00:58

You come across as quite pushy.

Give the teacher a chance, they've only been back at school a week or two, they need to assess 30 children.

If they're that easy read them once & then read your own book. Enid Blyton, Ronald Dahl etc

But really, you need to relax.

Kayano · 10/09/2012 02:46

Second. She's been in year 2 what... A week? Teacher and teaching assistant will be getting a feel and an idea of their level over the next few weeks I reckon.

You could always read other books with her at home too

dysfunctionalme · 10/09/2012 03:37

I think you are being silly actually. Give the teacher a moment to get to know the children etc.

Iteotwawki · 10/09/2012 03:38

DS1 went into year 2 in February (our school year runs Feb - Dec) and for the first week or two we were warned that the reading book sent home would be several levels below his ability. For a few reasons - the teacher was getting to know the children and their various levels, she didn't want the children too stressed by a difficult book at the end of a tiring day having just restarted a new school year and to ease them back into the routine of homework after the long summer break (southern hemisphere!).

We didn't fuss, just read the allocated book as homework and let him read what he wanted to for fun & bedtime.

Give it a week or two for your DD to settle into her new class / teacher & let her teacher get to know her level - if after that you still think the books she's bringing home are too easy, then might be the time to discuss it.

sashh · 10/09/2012 04:32

Can teachers not send kids home with books that match their reading ability?

Of course they can. They have known 30 children for about 30 hours. They have thouroughly assessed eacha nd every child, including the shy children who don't like to read to teacher, the class clown and the G and T child.

They then select the most boring book for each child, knowing it is well within their ability and send it home to annoy the parents who can't possiby read another book with their child.

EdithWeston · 10/09/2012 06:46

I am assuming she hasn't changed school (as I would have expected you to mention it).

How does I compare to the books she had at the end of year 1? If it is the same level, then the school has correctly carried forward levels and, though YABU to expect an immediate reassessment, I'd just send it back with a straightforward note in her reading record about how she found it.

If it is way below, then I would assume error, and send it back with a note explaining how easy she'd found it, what end year1 level was and could she please try one at that level.

exoticfruits · 10/09/2012 06:56

Give the teacher a break! As sash says they have known 30 children for about 30 hours and they are not magicians!
You would moan if they didn't send a book! I'm sure that you could make more of it and surely if she is a good reader you are not relying on the school reading book - not when you can have the entire local library for free.
Once the teacher has had time they will get the right book- if not that is the time to query it.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 10/09/2012 07:06

Jesus Christ, give them break and a couple of weeks to get a good idea of their reading level

You'd be pissed off if she hadn't sent a book home at all wouldn't you!

Original poster

Leena49 · 10/09/2012 07:07

Yes you are probably right. I used to be laid back when dd1 started primary school. Then I realised I wasn't doing her any favours. So now yes I'm a little pushy. Do I feel bad about it. Not in the least.
But I will chill about the book and see what happens over the next few weeks!

OP posts:

ScumbagCollegeDropout · 10/09/2012 07:07

Not sure if it is the same in the UK, but here home readers are at least 1 to 2 levels below what the child is actually on. They read the correct level ones at school with the teacher.

everlong · 10/09/2012 07:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Chandon · 10/09/2012 07:12

what worra said

jaynebxl · 10/09/2012 07:16

I think people get too hung up on book levels. So long as children are reading lots it doesnt matter too much what, and an easier book can be a boost to a child's confidence sometimes.

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 10/09/2012 07:20

DD has just started yr1. I spent plenty of time last year fretting about getting very easy books.

But, even I haven't started moaning yet, they have been back for 5 minutes! My school also send home easier books than they are reading at school, on purpose, for practice and to build confidence.

Give it a few weeks then see. And unclench a bit.

SizzleSazz · 10/09/2012 07:26

Dd1 ended up being given books from the easier section of the level she was on last year. I just wrote a note in her reading record asking the Ta/teacher if they could check and they moved her up a level the next day. No fuss or drama.

SizzleSazz · 10/09/2012 07:28

Oh, and at our school dc pick their own books after reception within their level. Apparently a lot of children choose biff and chip as they like them (contrary to most parents it would seem )

NameChangeGalore · 10/09/2012 07:39

Why dont you get "harder" books for her to read from the library?

exoticfruits · 10/09/2012 07:46

Books are even graded in the library- she can get a whole pile every visit. She is reading a book at school. Does it matter which one she brings home? Use your imagination - act out the parts, read with expression, make up,alternative endings etc.

exoticfruits · 10/09/2012 07:46

Books go very cheap at car boot sales.

halcyondays · 10/09/2012 07:50

They've only just started back. Our school sends home easier books for homework than what they're reading in class.

ll31 · 10/09/2012 07:51

from post it looks like u thought it boring not her .. she read book easily on first wk back at school, prob felt great unless u revealed it was -too easy'....

think yabu and bit ridiculous

Longtalljosie · 10/09/2012 07:55

Hang on though - it's not a new school! Does everything start from scratch each time you move up a year these days?

Shakirasma · 10/09/2012 07:58

It is generally accepted that children regress academically over the 6 week holiday, so it would make sense for them to issue slightly easier books until they are back in the swing of things and the kids have been reassessed. They don't want to hurt the kids confidence.

This early in the school year it is about getting back into routine rather than stretching the children, and reading should be pleasurable, not just challenging.

exoticfruits · 10/09/2012 07:59

They have 6 weeks holiday - children don't stay at the same place for the entire time! Plus teachers like to make their own assessment. Much better to give an easier book while they do it- parents would moan if they did the sensible thing and didn't send a book home until they were sorted!

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