to ask ds' teacher to move him up to next stage reading books?

[mummymacbeth]

On the one hand I feel like a pushy mother, on the other he has been in the same level/ stage books for over two months. He gets one book at home reading per week. He is finding them very easy - and has been since he first started on that level. He should be being challenged surely? And progressing. Or should I just leave it and get a grip. After all, he's only six

I would say don't worry too much about levels or the school reading book.

Just make sure your ds is reading a wide range of books, go to the library regularly, buy books etc. The school reading book should be a drop in the ocean of what dc should be reading over the course of a week.

Why don't you just buy him some books? Or go to the library? Why does it matter what reading stage he happens to be on at school or what books he's sent home with?

Just get him some books to read... What's it got to do with the teacher?

DD reads once a week at school to a adult. This week she read six sentences. I hear her read every night. We had to get the head involved to get her moved up a level and she went up three levels in a week reading to the head. I always said "dont worry we will read our own books" but its very disillusioning for a child who knows they can do better and no-one listens.

Rowgtfc72 - Agree it can be disillusioning but in some situations it can be better to 'cut your losses' and try to play the whole thing down rather than having an ongoing battle with the teacher, which would obviously be counter-productive.

If the OP is are really concerned I would tentatively try to find out how the teacher is assessing the reading level before going in 'all guns blazing'. It may be that they do more challenging books at school and are given easier books to read more independently at home.

I have had this problem with my DC's reading books myself, complicated by a variety of different reading schemes. I then found out how the reading levels are calculated, an inexact science to say the least and decided to stop worrying!

My child would still like to read books higher up the scheme, I say 'Ask the teacher what you have to do to move up a level' (older child) and reassure that is able but has to to get good marks in the assessments. Allowed to read anything with age appropriate content at home.

Sometimes, it is not just that they can read the words,they need to be using the punctuation correctly,and therefore expression. This helps to show that they understand what they are reading. Monotone reading and skimming over unusual words instead of realising that it is not making sense can be another reason not to go on to the next level.

(In year 3 and 4) Guided reading groups are when we hear most children , and note any problems. It is very difficult to find time to sit and listen to all of the children reading individually, which is why we ask children to read to someone at home every day. As long as a parent writes in the reading diary, they can change their book. If a parent thinks their child is reading a level easily,and writes this in the diary, we will make the effort to listen to them,and make a decision.
For those children with parents who can't be bothered and never send them in with their book, we try to make some time for them in the week.

thanks for all the replies

I put a note in his bag and await a reply.
he does read plenty at home, with us and on his own. so no big deal if the teacher doesn't act on it.
He's still a child genius to me either way