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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wonder why my Year 8 DS has to spend a whole hour reading his book in class

70 replies

thelandslidebroughtmedown · 05/02/2018 11:12

Does your DC's secondary school do this?

Four English lessons a week - each lasting 60 mins. One of these lessons is devoted to quietly reading a book brought in from home. Apparently, the teacher listens to a few of them read individually to her but doesn't ask any questions or discuss the text.

They're top set so shouldn't have any problems reading. Is this common in secondary schools or a waste of time?

OP posts:
Rockandrollwithit · 05/02/2018 12:18

Reading for pleasure can never be a waste of time.

We do this in the primary school I teach in but for shorter intervals depending on their age. I also read a book. We talk about it after and make recommendations to each other. Totally not a waste of time.

flumposie · 05/02/2018 12:19

We do this at the school I teach at. Year 7 follow an accelerated reading programme which tests them after each book they read. Year 8 also do literacy skills. No marking ever takes place by me during the lesson as I am expected to also read to set an example or am setting up the tests/ literacy activities. You would be surprised at how many children no longer read for pleasure or just stick to the same genre. Depressing.

Yorkshirebetty · 05/02/2018 12:21

Would you begrudge a teacher that, false priest?

Yorkshirebetty · 05/02/2018 12:23

An hour in a quiet environment is very important, apart from the reading aspect. Some children never experience that. I also think it's a good idea to encourage reading for pleasure.

theEagleIsLost · 05/02/2018 12:25

yes - and she is yr8.

I was a bit taken back as well.

They also do reading an set book in class and working around that - which is what DH and I remember doing in English lessons.

According to DD1 the teacher is making in the lesson and there is no discussion or talking just reading any book from home they bring in.

KalaLaka · 05/02/2018 12:26

Learning can be done on their own. Reading increases vocabulary, develops an appreciation of different writing styles, etc. I think it must be a blissful hour of relaxation.

FluffyWuffy100 · 05/02/2018 12:29

We used to have this back in the 1990s! It was only a single lesson tho so 40 mins. I loved it!

falsepriest · 05/02/2018 12:29

Yorkshirebetty

Oh lord no, sounds a brilliant idea!

OneOfTheGrundys · 05/02/2018 12:30

It seems like a lot of time to devote to reading (English teacher here) but each school has its context. And each department has its reasons for a decision like this.

On another note: not all secondary schools have libraries these days. We lost our librarian 2 years ago and it’s just a small room of books now. Budget constraints etc. School based opportunities and resources for indepentent reading are woefully thin on the ground where I work.

Jammycustard · 05/02/2018 12:30

When I was still teaching year 6 I had my class read to themselves for at least 20 minutes a day after lunch. It didn’t have to be a book, I brought in free newspapers everyday. It was a nice wind down after the stresses of a playtime (rows about football etc) and I would sometimes hear children read or set up the next lesson. Children were free to change books or complete an activity in their reading journal (i.e. a review). I have a feeling that wouldn’t be allowed now. I think it sounds a great idea as these days, even bright children aren’t necessarily reading.

theEagleIsLost · 05/02/2018 12:31

It's also something mine already do at home - something I still encourage and actively facilitate.

It’s an hour less of actual teaching with a teacher they’d otherwise experience which is why I was initally a bit taken back.

Though I do get many of the other children aren’t doing so do “get” why it’s being done.

TheDailyMailIsADisgustingRag · 05/02/2018 12:32

I think it’s a good idea. Reading fur pleasure is something you get used to I think. If you never do it, you will probably never start.

I don’t even care if it is “a free hour of marking time”. It’s not as if secondary teachers are living the life of Riley.

Tinkerbec · 05/02/2018 12:32

Is it Accelerated reader?

It certainly is not marking time. Some classes are so shocking its hard for them to sit for an hour.

They are supposed to quiz on it ( that's on a computer) and answer questions during this hour.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2018 12:34

How are you supposed to make someone read for pleasure?

CarefullyDrawnMap · 05/02/2018 12:37

I think it sounds like a really good thing. In the same way an hour of meditation would be good. It doesn't all have to be constant stuffing them full of facts and opinions and having them come up with endless thoughts and opinions. Just give their brains some time and space and something interesting to read. Good.

listsandbudgets · 05/02/2018 12:37

We used to do this at school. There was 20 minutes quiet time built into the timetable every day following afternoon registration during which we were expected to read. We were allowed to sit on the floor, on the desks as long as we were reading.

I remember some people saying it was the only real peace and quiet they'd get with younger siblings at home, over crowded homes etc. etc. Many of them were bright and in the top set but simply didn't ahve that time or space at home.

I think its a good idea

Tarraleaha · 05/02/2018 12:38

00100001 you don't need to be so rude when an OP asks a very valid question. You could try to answer it if you are so clever and knowledgeable yourself, instead of trying to be funny.

CarefullyDrawnMap · 05/02/2018 12:41

Gosh, yes, no one try to be funny, please. We don't want any of that.

Tarraleaha · 05/02/2018 12:41

How are you supposed to make someone read for pleasure?
that's an interesting question. I don't know anyone who doesn't read. I think when it's a very natural thing to do in a house, kids just pick it up. Even if it's just comics, if we encourage children to at least read something they enjoy, they will. Very limited tv helps as well.

TheFirstMrsDV · 05/02/2018 12:42

It sounds like a really good idea.
Its very easy to go through life without reading a book.
What happens when they get to University and are faced with loads of text?
Reading is a skill and you can lose the ability to concentrate on text, holding a book, not being distracted.

It sounds like a little oasis to me.

SoundofSilence · 05/02/2018 12:42

DS1 loves his library lesson. I get the impression that it's not just about making sure they read, it's also a little bit of peace in a pressured environment. The librarian is excellent and let him move onto more adult fare when he was finding YA fiction uninteresting.

theEagleIsLost · 05/02/2018 12:42

With DD1 there is no policing of what they are reading -and no answering of questions and according to her the teacher is there in body but unavailable for anything and is marking.

It a very mixed ability class and other classes are during this time being actively taught according to her and don’t do this at all.

Though it could be one of those activities that is moved around the classes over the year.

It isn’t hurting DD1 as she chosen something fairly challenging to read and is enjoying it and it one of the few times this class is fairly well behaved and quiet.

Obviously could be different with OP school.

HamishBamish · 05/02/2018 12:47

I don't think it's a bad thing. At least they know that a child is doing some reading, even if they aren't doing any at home.

DS1 is in the top set and it's a battle to get him to read at home unless it's for homework. He has to read a book from home alongside his set school texts and this means he always has something from home on the go.

BookishCat · 05/02/2018 12:47

There’s a lot of research showing that reading for pleasure has a bigger impact on a child’s educational outcomes than anything, including their home background. So it’s a really powerful and important thing for schools to encourage, as it does more than anything else to close the gap between rich and poor. It also has lots of emotional and psychological benefits. It’s great to see that so many schools are sending out such a strong message to their students, showing that they take reading seriously and are prepared to dedicate significant learning time to it. And it is a bit depressing to see that so many parents regard it as a waste of their children’s time.

SoupDragon · 05/02/2018 12:49

I don't know anyone who doesn't read. I think when it's a very natural thing to do in a house, kids just pick it up.

Mine didn’t. I spent my childhood with my head in a book and I still read a lot. I provided my children with lots of books, I read to them, I read around them and still none of them read for pleasure. They read because they have to. I’m gutted! Actually, DS2 (17) does go through periods of reading for pleasure but he’s absolutely not an avid reader. I think each of them have told me that “reading is boring” on occasions. I’ve tried to explain about losing yourself in a different world but apparently “it’s just a book”. Sigh.

I did not force them to read though as I don’t think that’s the best way to get someone to read for pleasure. The moment it becomes a chore I think you’ve lost them. I’m not sure whether the enforced hour of reading at school is a good or bad thing from that point of view. It will improve a child’s vocabulary but I doubt it will turn many reluctant readers into bookworms.