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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To speak to the teachers at Parents Evening tomorrow re challenging DS (5)

82 replies

PaddyMac76 · 20/10/2013 18:55

DS (5) is in Class 2 (Year 1). He flew through Reception and loves school. His Reception teacher was amazing, I really can't fault her at all.
However, since moving into Y1, the books he is being sent home with are as easy, if not easier than the end of Reception Class.
Every day he brought home a new book, every evening he read it with no trouble, and I made comments in his Reading Record stating this.

Yet he was not moved up to the next level until I wrote an note to the teacher suggesting this.

I was concerned that he is being overlooked and just has a teaching assistant read 4 pages a day with him. It's not on.
I want him racing through his level, and pushed instead of just plodding, as the teaching resources are too focused on those that can barely open a book.

Tomorrow is Parents Evening, how best should I suggest to the teacher that he needs a greater challenge?

I just want the best for my boy :)

AIBU?

OP posts:
MortifiedAdams · 20/10/2013 18:56

Do you offer more challenging reading at home?

SatinSandals · 20/10/2013 18:58

Has he got a library ticket? Lots of books for him to choose at different levels.

Justforlaughs · 20/10/2013 18:59

Do you challenge him with reading at home? I found that taking a book in that he had read at home, or putting a more suitable book in reading folders with appropriate comments worked quite well. Otherwise, just mention it tomorrow evening. No need to make a big deal about it, but something like "how do you decide when children move onto a new level? DC seems to be finding the books a bit easy and although it's great that he is reading with confidence I wondered whether something a bit more challenging might be appropriate now"

Pooka · 20/10/2013 19:01

He gets read with at school every day?!

Our school has a guided group reading session 2 times a week. One to one reading for most able possibly once a week.

headlesslambrini · 20/10/2013 19:05

it's one thing reading but another understanding. Comprehension is just as important. Make sure you ask him lots of questions after reading to ensure he has understood the book and get him to tell you what the next chapter could be as well to develop his imagination and use of vocab further. Get him to use descriptive words as much as you can.

Original poster
PaddyMac76 · 20/10/2013 19:06

No, I haven't ever taken him to the library. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

I bought him some Batman Phonics books that he hasn't really read yet, other than that I just go with what the teacher gives him.

OP posts:
kilmuir · 20/10/2013 19:07

Blimey you could always do more . Bit unkind about those who do not find reading so easy

SatinSandals · 20/10/2013 19:09

Mine had tickets as babies. Most libraries have books that are graded for difficulty. Enjoying books together, even at a harder level is good. Get them loving books is half the battle.

Pooka · 20/10/2013 19:10

When it comes to challenging reading, I just saw it as my role to have a plentiful supply of books at home, or to go to the library.

My ds1 was/is an early and very able reader. I usually send him in with what he's currently reading. He loathes reading aloud to me (apart from spontaneously when there's a funny bit). So I have an agreement with school teacher that she will cover that side. School have taught phonics. He's in a guided reading group with an older year group as well as the one in his class.

LaQueenOfTheDamned · 20/10/2013 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

jeansthatfit · 20/10/2013 19:15

Justforlaughs suggestion is a good one - no one could take offence at that, surely.

I don't know why people get huffy at the idea that more able children should be given material/support that is appropriate for them where possible. It's really no different to the notion that children who struggle need support and material that helps them.

Children that are bored and ignored in class will start to lose interest in education at best, and at worst, play up and become a problem. Yes, take your dc to a library. Some libraries offer brilliant services for children. Read with them, engage with them, encourage a love of books. And expect school to do their bit, too.

BrokenSunglasses · 20/10/2013 19:21

If he is lucky enough to have ap a TA reading one to one with him every day, then I'm sure the school knows exactly where your ds's ability is.

And what do you mean the books are easy? Does he read fluently with enough understanding that he can resell the full story accurately and answer questions? If so, maybe they are too easy and you should ask why the teacher thinks he's on the appropriate level.

I find it unbelieveabe though that you barely provide any books yourself and you think the school are the ones that should be doing more.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 20/10/2013 20:27

In my experience, DC1 now in Yr2, it seems to take each new Teacher few weeks to get the measure of the child (even with their reading history). I have sometimes been a bit Hmm at some of the books brought home, but I know they can't skip every level. It is worth finding out if the Class Teacher does hear him read (as opposed to the TA or a Parent) so she is aware of his level.

Of course you should mention any concerns you have to the Teacher (that is part of the point of the Parents' Evenings!). However, as stated above, it is quite reasonable to augment his reading with things fron libraries, etc.. The Bookpeople sometimes do discounted bundles for "early readers", which I have bought on occasion, and our local Oxfam Bookshop is a great source of not too expensive books so she can try different genres without us committing a lot of money to it.

LaQueenOfTheDamned · 20/10/2013 20:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos · 20/10/2013 20:29

Oh, and it doesn't hurt to note the books he is reading at home in the Reading Diary comments so the Teacher is aware. Our DCs are heard once a week in school.

TrueStory · 20/10/2013 20:31

You want him "racing through this level" OP. Why? He's only 5. Reading is not for racing through, but enjoying and savouring, surely?

Maybe your son is gifted and that's great an' all and agree with other suggestions, you can keep books at home.

But FGS he's only 5!

You sound on the pushy side, to be honest. Also, reference to the other children "who can barely open a book" sounds quite disparaging. The school has to cater for them too, most of whom are quite normal and happy in their development by the way Hmm.

UptheChimney · 20/10/2013 20:34

No, I haven't ever taken him to the library. I hadn't thought of that

YABVVU

You are expecting a teacher with another 20 or so children to teach to do what you HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT OF for your PFB. Words almost fail me ...

Do you own any books at home?

LaQueenOfTheDamned · 20/10/2013 20:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FoodieToo · 20/10/2013 20:42

Horrible comment re kids who can barely open a book.

Can't believe you haven't even brought your child to the library . You have loads of one on one time with your child.

You are the primary educator. It's up to you to challenge him.

TrueStory · 20/10/2013 20:43

p.s. hate to call mums "pushy", but it just sounded a bit OTT to me. My son has never had reading "homework" every night and he's 11! I would be upset if he did, as I think there is a real chance it could put him off altogether. Reading is a pleasure as well as a discipline, no?

I'm sure you mean well for your son, but you did ask!

Coffeenowplease · 20/10/2013 20:45

To be fair LAqueen I read a lot of books as a child where my reading level was advanced but only understood a limited level of plot - its not a bad thing. Although obviously I did have some understanding of the plot or it would have been pointless.

I would often re read them growing up and appreciated them on a new level then. Made them firmer favorites IYSWIM ?

Coffeenowplease · 20/10/2013 20:47

But yes OP should also be encouraging her child to read as much as or more so than the school.

Nanny0gg · 20/10/2013 20:50

I want him racing through his level, and pushed instead of just plodding,

There is more, much more to reading, than racing through levels. And a good way to kill off the joy of books is to push.

Ask the teacher the reading policy and discuss the best way you can help. By all means explain that your DS seems to be coping easily with the books brought home (does he understand them? Can he discuss the story? Can he predict what will happen? Can he read if the pictures are covered up? Or is he just 'barking' at print?) and ask what can be done to help.

And read loads of other books at home. School reading schemes can be a bit deadly anyway.

Coldlightofday · 20/10/2013 20:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PervCat · 20/10/2013 20:57

have YOU not got books at home?