Reading in primary school

[catrion]

I've been working for several years now in primary school with year 5 and 6 children whoare having difficulties picking up reading. anyone got problems with this?

I'm not sure what you're trying to ask, do you seek people with similar experience? I know someone whose dc started yr5 & yr6 well below-average for reading, even now the y6 child is not "getting it", I think. The children aren't SN, but I don't know why they've been so delayed. Their mother is very annoyed with the school about it.

Catrion have these children been assessed for any SEN?

there are some structured things a parent can do to help children who are struggling. Quite often I find there has been a huge loss of confidence somewhere along the line and going back to the basics with phonics can really help. Some of the children I work with do have SEN but quite often they don't. No-one in school quite knows what the problem is and by years 5/6 the teacher has no time. I find a bit of quiet 1:1 with no classmates sniggering in the background can help quite a bit. I hesitate to put myself forward as some sort of guru here - but could maybe advise if someone wanted to contact me.

catrion - my DS1 is in year 5 and in the remedial group for reading, writing, maths...well lets face it everything. if there is anything you can do to help i would be all ears. cheers.

stillenacht - if you want to email me on [email protected] we could put our heads together. Can you tell me what sort of thing he can read and what you think the problem is?

Catrion - how do you know they aren't SEN but haven't been picked up?
Toe by toe is a good scheme that parents, teachers and TA's can use to help chn who are struggling. About £25 a copy I think.

cornsilk - I don't think it matters whether they are identified as having SEN or not. To read they still have to get to grips with the phonics and a strcutured approach can help. Some children do not get it the first time but manage second time round. Some need more help than that. Of course a severely dyslexic child might well have difficulty with the sounds, but that really needs specialist help. I'll look into the scheme you mention. I have several schemes and dip in to them as needed. Have not yet found one scheme that suits all!