Reading with Y2/3

[taffetacat]

I have offered to listen to the children in DS's Y2/3 class read.

I have obviously been listening to him read for a few years now, but am worried now I am on the loose as it were that I do a good job. I worry that I may have fallen into bad habits with him, and want to get it right.

Any suggestions on how I can do a good job, and what not to do, from TA's/teachers/others much appreciated.

Good for you

I read with dd's Y2 class. For many, its still a question of simple reading practice, with help over difficult new words. In addition, I help them notice punctuation (amazing how many fail to stop at .s or pause at ,s!) and have fun with expression.

For fluent readers, I tend to do a bit of comprehension as we go along - asking questions, and also asking them their opinions and feelings about what they read if approrpriate.

I would think it would depend on the school, the class, the level of readers in it - but am sure you'll learn from the children as to what they need!

Thanks Elibean, some good pointers.

I'd agree with Elibean's pointers but also I think a really important aspect is the fact that the child is getting some concentrated one-to-one attention. If they are sensing your warmth and encouragement, that would go a long way. It might be worth asking the teacher to let you know where they are up to with learning phonics so that you know which sound/letter relationships they should know and that you can remind them of.

I listen to reading with DS's yr2 class and I love it - it's the highlight of my week! Our school actually produces a booklet for parent helpers which gives quite a lot of helpful pointers. As sarahfreck said the main thing seems to be that they have some one on one attention. In my class there are quite a lot of fluent readers but we always find something in the text to talk about, or I get them to tell me the story so far, or what they think will happen next. Plus there's things like using their voice and punctuation of course. There are a couple of kids struggling a bit and the teacher has let me do some phonics work and flashcard games with them.
It's great fun and truly rewarding when you see them progress week to week.

I have thought about offering to listen to the children read when DD starts school, but it just never occurred to me to listen to the children in my DC classes. How do they feel about that?

Some schools won't let you listen in your own child's class; they fear you might be spying on other children's abilities or might gossip about their progress :(.

Some children get jealous of mom listening to the other children and not interacting with only them. Had this with DS1.

Or the child might get disruptive, over-excited and want lots of attention from mom (had this with DD & DS2!).

Most schools will require you to be CRB checked (can be intrusive).

But otherwise, when it works, parent volunteering is brill :).

I help out in dd's class once a week and she loves it (yr1). I started when she was in reception and asked her if she wanted me to carry on, which she did. I was quite happy to help in a different class, but dd's school policy is that you help in your own child's class - not sure of their reasoning behind it though.

Thanks everyone, went in this morning and I am helping out, although not with reading! The teacher has asked me to do flashcards, both reading and writing, plus some comprehension of the words with some of the Y3 children that are struggling. ( DS is one of a small number of Y2's in the class )

Most parent helpers at the DC's school listen in their own child's class. I have offered my services for listening to reading in DD's reception class, which she starts next week,
so will use all your helpful advice for that!