Y1 DS run out of books to read at school

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DS is able to read since 3 so has always been ahead at reading, but he only likes to read books with colored pictures. So now he has to read books much lower to his level, for example he has done all level 11 books in reception (also young puffin series), but now he is reading level 7 books as teachers said he should read the books he likes. i.e. books with color pictures.

Also he no longer has high frequency words homework, as he has already completed all his words last term.

BTW, he is in an independent school, and is happy at school.

I intend to discuss this with school, but hesitate:

1. English is not my native language, this is the main reason I sent him to a private school with the hope he will get the necessary attention from a fee paying school. But is he challenged enough there?

2. He is happy at school, is it necessary to force him read a black-white book? He is happy to read any book at home as long as the book has colored pictures, for instance he is even happy to read a colored math dictionary for GCSE children.

3. He already does a lot of music outside school, so he is not exactly idle after school.

I am thinking of buying some picture books myself and give them to school, will this be an option?

Should I discuss this with his teacher or headmaster directly?

Any advise will be appreciated.

This sounds like it is not entiely an issue with the school, I think you need to encourage your DS to read all different types of books to develop his reading but if he really isn't interested then it is likely due to the fact he isn't ready yet - he's only young.

My DS never really wanted to read the school books, particularly factual ones, but the school said its fine for him to read a variety of things at home but to progress he needs to read a mixture of different types of books.

He is in Y1 and he is a free reader but still reads books with pictures but they are long chapter books. The school let him choose whatever books he wants really but for guided reading will choose something appropriate

Have you tried something such as Roald Dahl books - they have black/white pictures.

Definitely speak to them again if you feel he is not being challenged.

I think as long as he is reading and enjoying it then things are fine. Much more important that he gets pleasure from reading than is forced to do it. He is only young and picture books are enjoyable for children of his age so I would not worry about it. There are so many books out there (eg library books) with colour photos etc - does he like non-fiction or only story books? If he likes non-fiction maybe go to the library and let him choose from there. I really wouldn't worry about forcing him to read black and white - let him simply enjoy reading.

I agree with lou2321 about Roald Dahl (and similar types of books) - my DD was a little reluctant to steer away from picture books but found them very funny and wasn't so bothered about the lack of colour.

Could you also introduce him to magazines? Again, these will be in colour but offer a more challenging read. First News is a newspaper created for children aged 7-14 in full colour (published weekly) which may also interest him.

If you're concerned about him not learning new words, I'd recommend this site which provides Fry words lists: www.k12reader.com/fry-word-list-1000-high-frequency-words/

Assuming DD has worked through the first 100, you could introduce him to the second or third and work from there.

In any case, I would have a talk with his teacher (or perhaps the headmaster) about challenging him in school, particularly as you chose a fee paying school. IMHO teachers should be able to differentiate according to a child's needs. Sometimes I've found particular teachers perhaps don't want (or feel the need) to challenge brighter kids, though this can have an effect on children's enthusiasm for learning. If you can show that you are trying to support your son at home (and that he's making progress outside of school) this may help your case.

At some stage he'll need to move on from books with coloured pictures, unless he bypasses novels and goes straight on to manga via Tintin etc. I don't think buying lots of picture books for school is really a good solution, because they will run out pretty soon as well, and by year 1 (so age 6?) it's probably time to get more adventurous.

I never had to deal with an insistence on coloured pictures, but my DCs were a little reluctant to start reading books with no pictures at all, or with smallish print, but I found that if you start reading really good (longer, unillustrated) books to them, they will realise that actually boring-looking books don't have boring contents. DS got it at 6, DD more like 7.

My Y1 DD is just like Lou's! Hates to read the factual books, though adores reading fiction, and will read for hours at home not a bit like me oh no.
I have begun to gently insist, primarily because that is what school is sending home now more frequently, and she has to learn to read a variety of texts. She is very resistant though, so I try and make light of it wherever possible.

Is it possible to find him books that you can read the start to him, then he'll be so hooked on the story, he'll carry on reading anyway because he wants to know what happens?

Dd likes the Moomins, Pippi Longstocking, Mrs Pepperpot, Roald Dahl, Horrid Henry etc. Would the library be able to help- there's usually a children's librarian around at ours with recomendations which is fantastic.

1 other suggestion - the Rupert annuals from the 70s (via ebay?) - they have delightful (and quite quaint now) illustrations in full colour, that have a rhyming couplet beneath each picture, and then more detailed text at the bottom of each page. My children adore them, but be warned- they have several anachronistic stereotypes in, which I vet and adapt when reading to my youngest... but they have provided a springboard for healthy discussion around sterotyping, and outmoded attitudes with my children.
Rupert's adventures are all very gentle though, with mild peril and suspense in each- my 3yo is obsessed with them at the moment tbh... we have about 10 books, each has 3 or 4 stories,and a little quiz or puzzle in.

Oh just remembered Marcia Williams' books- book people do a set of 10 for £10... greek myths, arthurian legends, shakespeare tales, chaucer, robin hood etc. Full colour, lots of detail in the pictures, but plenty of learning to be done when reading, and language that will stretch him.

I would get some illustrated gift versions of books, I have a beautiful wind I. The willows and before Christmas they had lo lovely classic books with colour pictures. If he enjoys I tires as he is only little I would let it go for now, especially of his peers are reading books with pictures

Try the Beano comic or annuals- my DS adored them, they are funny , age appropriate and very colourful.

School hasn't run out of books. Ds is refusing to read the ones they have. Completely different thing.

This is not a problem with the school, but with Ds. Rather than buying yet more picture books and ingraining ds's issue further, you need to take on board other people's suggestions as to how to get him to move on to other sorts of books and reading material (for school. It matters not what he reads at home, tbh. Kids who read, read.)

Don't buy books for the school.

Take him to the library and encourage him to explore. There are lots of beautiful books around.

I believe there are some colour versions of Horrid Henry, possibly called 'easy readers'. It may be a way into moving onto b/w picture books. Also the Animal Crackers have colour pictures but slightly harder content than normal picture books, probably around level 10-12.

We have had problems with our DD (also in Y1) always wanting colour pictures. I think it stemmed from wanting to read certain b/w books early, found they were too hard and then associated b/w books with being out of her league! Only now that she is getting more confident in her own ability is she starting to think about trying again, but it has been a long struggle!

My DS also is quite interested in Asterix which are in colour. Plus I have noticed in the library some books by Marcia Williams which are higher level/colour and which may appeal, books about Shakespeare's plays, Robin Hood, King Arthur!

But I do think it is important that you encourage him to try b/w books, perhaps make a deal that he has one colour and one b/w and that he tries both!!

I agree taking in books won't necessarily help. But taking in books that your DC has found particularly useful and no longer wants to read is helpful. We took in a pile of books around levels 9-12 which DD had read and so was happy to part with, mostly to boost the school's short supply of higher level books and because being an infant school of 360 kids they wear through books particularly quickly and never have the funds to replace them!!!!

Many thanks for everyone's kind advise. Will continue to encourage DS reading and gradually introduce b/w books.

I'd go down the comics route, especially Calvin+Hobbes, Asterix, maybe Tintin.

Make sure he goes to the library every week - he will never have a wider choice! Plus the school will be more than happy for him to read anything he wishes to if he is a free reader.