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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think schools should send reading books home over the holidays?

166 replies

DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 11:49

My kids school hasnt sent any reading book or library book home at all for the holidays. AIBU to think this is daft because
a) it sends the message that reading is hard/not enjoyable and one needs a "break" from it
b) its likely to widen the gaps between children with engaged parents who'll ensure their kids keep reading/enjoying books any way, and the kids for whom the reading book from school was the only book in the house.
c) it's a shame for a keen reader who'd happily get stuck into a book over the winter holidays when the weather is crap outside.

OP posts:
Letsallscreamatthesistene · 20/12/2021 11:52

Im sure some schools do.

Are you miffed that your DC hasnt been sent home with a book?

CallmeHendricksGingleBells · 20/12/2021 11:53

Yeah, coz this thread is just what schools/teachers need to read at the moment.
How about you do you? If you want your child to read during the holidays, provide them with some books. No need for you to worry about other people.

PlanktonsComputerWife · 20/12/2021 11:54

Mine was. Awful crap, diary of a prepubsecent fairy who is obsessed with boys and make-up. Count yourself lucky!

Original poster
DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 11:54

I wouldn't say miffed. I've got a house full of books so my DC can read whenever. That's not true for some of the children in their school.

Surprised, I would say.

OP posts:
Original poster
DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 11:54

No need for you to worry about other people.

Wouldn't society be a fine thing if we all took this attitude

OP posts:
DreamerSeven · 20/12/2021 11:55

Ours did, as they always do.

PotteringAlong · 20/12/2021 11:55

They haven’t sent them home because they’re not convinced that we will be back in January and they cannot afford to loose lots of reading books that don’t return post lockdown.

RAOK · 20/12/2021 11:55

I think most schools do. Ask for some next time or raise it with the Headteacher if you wish them to reconsider their stance for all children.

fourminutestosavetheworld · 20/12/2021 11:55

Our school did.

PlanktonsComputerWife · 20/12/2021 11:55

tbh OP given how behind the y6s are, and the test looming in spring, I'm a bit surprised there were no reading comprehension or maths worksheets sent home. I don't think a bit of proper homework would have hurt.

cauliflowersqueeze · 20/12/2021 11:57

Library

fourminutestosavetheworld · 20/12/2021 11:57

If it was school policy, it's a bit rubbish.

If it was a stressed teacher who forgot, I'd cut him/her some slack.

CallmeHendricksGingleBells · 20/12/2021 11:58

You think that primary schools should have sent homework home over Christmas?
Just what proportion of kids do you think would have complied with that?

inmyslippers · 20/12/2021 11:58

We've just got the one. Trips to library

BlossomValley · 20/12/2021 11:58

@PotteringAlong

They haven’t sent them home because they’re not convinced that we will be back in January and they cannot afford to loose lots of reading books that don’t return post lockdown.
This is exactly why my school doesn’t send home books during the holidays. It’s hard enough getting them back when the children are at school!
Original poster
DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 11:58

It's a school policy. No books/homework over the holiday. They make a bit of a thing of what a lovely break it is.

OP posts:
Original poster
DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 12:00

library

I'm mindful of the kids in homes where no one will take them.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 20/12/2021 12:01

No need for you to worry about other people.

Ahh the true spirit of Christmas.

NuffSaidSam · 20/12/2021 12:02

I think most schools do send books home.

But I agree, the ones that don't send books home, should do.

DelphiniumBlue · 20/12/2021 12:02

I think in most school children take a new book from the class shelves when they've finished the old one, and that book travels with them until they've finished it.Some schools have a library and children can borrow from that too. Those children who want something to read over the holidays will almost certainly have had the opportunity to take a book, often quite informally. Children are encouraged to be independent, and to say when they need another book. It's likely that those who wanted to, did so .
I'm not aware of any schools where a child asking for a book would be told that they couldn't have one. Reading is a priority in every school I have worked in.

Awalkintime · 20/12/2021 12:03

I don't know a school who doesn't send them home. However, if your child's school does this then consider what other things are in place.

Those without books in their house are often signed up to a scheme called Book in a Box which sends books and activities once a month to children who live in such circumstances and the extra funding in schools for these children is used for this scheme.

Those with parents who encourage reading can use their own books, new books at Christmas or the library or little libraries.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 20/12/2021 12:05

The reason we don't is that we often don't get them back or they stay in the book bag unread. We do give links to ebooks and if specifically asked we will send home. You would be surprised how many books we don't get back in a school year. We do give books during half term but not Christmas and Easter holidays.

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 20/12/2021 12:11

@CallmeHendricksGingleBells

Yeah, coz this thread is just what schools/teachers need to read at the moment. How about you do you? If you want your child to read during the holidays, provide them with some books. No need for you to worry about other people.
That didn’t take long Grin
PrincessNutella · 20/12/2021 12:12

I remember winter vacation reading--Boswell's Life of Johnson was a particular joy. Oh so many hours of gravy running down Dr. Johnson's greasy waistcoat, or was it weskit (damn it's been a long time) as he held forth.

Original poster
DeepaBeesKit · 20/12/2021 12:29

Those without books in their house are often signed up to a scheme called Book in a Box which sends books and activities once a month to children who live in such circumstances and the extra funding in schools for these children is used for this scheme.

Good to hear.

I think in most school children take a new book from the class shelves when they've finished the old one
My child's school don't let them choose (don't get me started on this...). The teacher simply replaces what's in the book back 3 times a week.

OP posts: