Reading bands

[grumpycook]

Hi, wanted to understand more on the reading bands. DS is now in reception at 1B/Pink. How do I know what is the expected level at this stage? And also, am worried that school hasn't sent a new book since the past >4 weeks and there's not a single entry in his reading book by his teacher. Is this normal?

Different schools follow different schemes - A quick Google search will show you the range at each year for yours. Schools also seem to have different philosophies about when to advance to the next level, with some intentionally slowing things down to ensure phonics mastery and comprehension. Also kids acquire reading skills at very different paces and slower start with reading does not indicate future difficulties at this age, while early acquisition also does not confer lasting advantage- for the most part it evens out by the end of y2.

personally I wouldn’t get too hung up on bands, just focus on reading together most evenings (child reads to you and you read something more interesting to them). It is better to err on the side of too easy than too difficult. School will be teaching phonics, but most don’t have bandwidth to listen to children read on a regular basis. As for reading diaries, practices also vary - one school we attended never updated reading diaries / only entries were from parents, while at current school there are typically 2-3 updates from TA or teacher every week. Same with changing books. If you are looking for more reading material, I recommend the songbirds series which are pretty widely available and levels seem to align with sequence phonics are taught.

Thanks for the response! I will check it out. I wasn't able to find the band expectations for the school only generic expectations on google. Will probably also talk to the class teacher.

Don’t forget they will be practicing loads of reading skills throughout the day aside from reading books - reading, worksheets, the board and listening/comprehension, grammar etc.

Agree. My only concern was I don't have visibility of his progress. If teachers enter feedback in the reading book, it's easier for us to focus on areas that need work

I assume you are on the scheme that goes pink, red, yellow. Pink is sometimes split into ABC. The end of year expectations vary but often yellow is what they aim for at the end of Reception. Pink is completely fine for now, there is lots of variation.

I'd be unimpressed at no new book for that long. Personally I think you need several books a week, but at least one a week! We are asked to read 5+ times a week and once you have read the book twice, they have mostly memorised it.

Ideally someone would hear them read at school a bit more too, although I'd be less worried about that.