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Original poster

I'm sorry, I have to have another rant about school - please feel free to ignore (it's ridiculously long).

143 replies

marthamoo · 07/11/2005 22:11

Ds1 is in Year 4 (I am so mad....) He loves reading, reads anything, everything, has read Harry Potter, lots of quite difficult books etc. (I am bl*dyseething....) I love that he loves reading, I consider it one of my prime roles as a parent to instil in him a love of books - it's a gift for life (I hate that bl**dy school...)
OK, deep breath...phooooooooooooo.
The reading books he gets from school are a) too easy b) exceedingly dull. This galls me a little but as he has a diet of the good stuff at home I haven't worried about it too much. Since he started in Year 4 he has been bringing home a series of books called Boys Rule here (have just seen that they are for "less able" or "reluctant" readers....BOOOOM! - that was my head exploding) They are crap, anyway. They are aimed squarely at boys. He finished those and now he is reading the "Girls Rock!" series (see link, left hand side). These - surprisingly enough - are aimed at girls. So far we have had sneaky brothers reading diaries, lost ankle bracelets...
Tonight, he brought home "Girls Rock! School Play Stars" and, in among such gems of literature as

OP posts:
Original poster
marthamoo · 07/11/2005 23:53

That's OK, I'm LOLing at mine on the 4x4 thread

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unicorn · 07/11/2005 23:53

mm... quite right you are

Who is the literacy coordinator? You need to make an appointment with that person.

Alternatively, get some other(similar minded)parents on board and highlight the problem collectively (meet head - together)

(Does school have an ofsted inspection due at all?... they may listen then.)

Original poster
marthamoo · 07/11/2005 23:56

They were ofstedded last year. Hey, I like the literacy co-ordinator much better than his teacher - it would be a bit out of order to see her in the first instance though, wouldn't it?

I don't think there are many similarly minded parents They had a maths evening tonight (for parents) and 6 turned up. There are around 70 kids in Year 4

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unicorn · 07/11/2005 23:59

re turnout.

well I would just query why this cr*p is on the school 'menu' literacy wise... perhaps he/she (co-ordinator) isn't aware.. either way I would looove them to justify it!!!

(and report back )

homemama · 08/11/2005 09:19

Surely the best way to encourage a reluctant reader is to allow them to choose their own reading material.

I'm surprised that the school doesn't allow able readers or his age to read from a selection of library books.

Sounds like school are having a drive on 'boys' literacy. Did this come up in their OFSTED? Are boys in the school generally doing badly? Just a thought.

There's an excellent set of biographies aimed at his age covering people like Roald Dahl, Eric The Red and Stanley Matthews. Do school have a set of these? I'd be reluctant to read at school too if I was given such drivel!

3princesses · 08/11/2005 09:48

Did you get the chance to speak to the teacher this morning MM? Eagerly awaiting an update... (although hiding face in shame at the mention of M&B... Would like to think crappy 'literature' is not so sinful when it is available by free choice to adults, rather than being pushed onto impressionable children...)

grumpyfrumpy · 08/11/2005 10:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotQuiteCockney · 08/11/2005 10:28

Oh, I hope things are looking better MM. That sort of tripe would annoy me greatly.

(OT: I actually like Captain Underpants. It's purile, but fun.)

Marina · 08/11/2005 10:34

I'd be fuming if ds came home with books that I think any of us would call knobby and shite, they sound appalling, Moo.
I don't mind ds reading Captain Underpants for fun (like you NQC, I rather shamefacely like these titles, although I think Horrid Henry is awful) but would not be happy if this was set as bedtime reading.
All this and dodgy racial stereotyping in the Christmas show too MM, this is not good
Go straight to the Literacy Coordinator, I would.

Original poster
marthamoo · 08/11/2005 12:41

I can't see her in the mornings (have ds2 to get to pre-school after I drop ds1 off) plus she's always busy in the morning so I wrote a pithy (or should that be pissy?) comment on his reading card and I will go and see her when I read her response.

I know, Marina The school actually did very well in the Ofsted report - results-wise it's one of the best (possibly the best) in the area. But it's a huge school and I think they are so results driven that they sometimes don't see the wood for the trees, if that makes sense. I've been pretty happy with it (and have always liked, and had good relationships with, his teachers) up 'til now but I am becoming increasingly disillusioned this year.

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binkie · 08/11/2005 12:50

What did you write??

Marina · 08/11/2005 12:51

And we can tell you if we feel it is pissy or pithy, or ideally, both!

Blu · 08/11/2005 13:00

Have just seen this thread. Have already started twitching in case DS comes home with urine-pineapple-book.
It's enough to make me think of Home-Ed.

motherinferior · 08/11/2005 13:02

I'm twitching too. And to think we are living in a Renaissance of Children's Lit according to my mate who is academic about these things and should know.

(Marina, I have to confess I like Horrid Henry and have addicted my five year old nephew to them. But am thinking of sending him Moomintroll, Paddington, and Hiccup Horrendous Haddock for his forthcoming sixth birthday.)

Original poster
marthamoo · 08/11/2005 13:04

I wrote:

S and I both object to the sentiment expressed in this book that "Boys R Yuk!" Does S have to continue with this series of books as he is not enjoying them at all? Neither am I.

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binkie · 08/11/2005 13:09

And what if you've got a child who is already stage-terrified? Or one, like mine, who is not at all good at getting the line on appropriate behaviour/understanding what remarks or attitudes might upset?

[waves at sense of humour receding into blue distance]

binkie · 08/11/2005 13:11

cross-posted, m'moo. Good message, not pissy at all. Looking forward to the next chapter.

katierocket · 08/11/2005 13:15

Just seen this thread moo. Very grim indeed. Let us know what the response is.
ps. if they're focused on results I can't see how reading crap like that is going to help them.

Original poster
marthamoo · 08/11/2005 13:15

I thought you'd got the wrong thread .

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pixel · 08/11/2005 13:24

My friend is currently training to be a teacher and she was given a list of childrens' literature to study. We were both appalled at the choices, very few classics, not even stories like 'The lion, the witch and the wardrobe'.

I think that might explain a lot.

Marina · 08/11/2005 13:25

MI, I agree there is a funny side to HH, but I cannot stand the way he never apologises and never, however amusingly, stands corrected.
Having Perfect Peter tendencies myself as a child I also find it hard to deal with the 100% Peter bashing that takes place.
Moo, get him onto the wonderful Just William re-workings by Martin Jarvis! Social history (ds and I love mulling over how different people's lives were when grandpa would have been William's age), charm, plenty of adult-friendly wit and a boy who is naughty and goodhearted. Horrid Henry is never kind AFAIK
I think your message to the teacher was perfect btw

princesspeahead · 08/11/2005 13:32

we love horrid henry, but my children see straight through him marina. they are horrified by how horrid he is and their sympathies are all on the side of Perfect Peter...!

Those books are CRAP marthamoo, and there is nothing that the school can say to make your son read them if you don't want him too. If you encounter any resistance whatsoever, tell them NOT to send them home, and that you will send in books of your (his) choice with his reading record from home.

ANd then start a campaign with your literacy coordinator, in the first instance by writing a letter setting out your concerns and asking for a meeting with her, and copying that letter to the Head AND the head of the GOvernors.

Good luck!

motherinferior · 08/11/2005 13:34

God, there are so many fabulous books out there. Makes me very very angry and depressed that kids are being given this pap.

Blandmum · 08/11/2005 13:37

Pixel, 'the Classics' are probably seen as being elitist. Loda crap.

Mind you I was hooked by the ever so crap Blyton and was also reading Solzhenitsyn in my early teens, in the end I think it is more of a problem if they don't like reading. I'd rather my lad read something even if it is shite. Dd will read anything so I am firmer is stearing her away from crap (jaqueline Wilson in that case)

homemama · 08/11/2005 13:43

I'm still really surprised at the fact that your DS is having his books chosen for him. An able reader of his age should not only be choosing his own books but also encouraged to make his own comments in his reading record/HW book about whether he enjoyed the book etc.
I would expect that at least once in the year, an able Y4 would fail to finish a book and would enter a comment such as 'I've changed my book because I'm not enjoying it'.