Reading scheme for "better" reader

[redskyatnight]

DS is in year 2 and on the last stage of his school reading scheme (the 14th stage). Children who are beyond this stage are counted as free readers (there are 3 in DS's class). The previous level was short chapter books - DS could read them very fluently and understand the plot lines etc.

However his current stage seems like a big step up. He is now bringing home 100+ page books with 10-12 chapters, mostly with few pictures and small print. The books he has brought home have all been "old fashioned" and although he can decode the words he struggles with the language and the context of the stories. Also, the stories don't appeal - there is lots of character development and description and not enough action for DS.

DS (who chooses his own books from the appropriate coloured box) hates them with a passion. He had only recently started liking reading and he is already begging not to have to read these. All my instincts are saying that I should just let him read something of his choice so he isn't totally put off reading and try to encourage him to try things with varying complexity. But in effect that would be moving him up to the "next stage" already.

At my suggestion he's brought home quite a few different books (I thought there might be something better in the box) but they all look awful! Will I sound like a pushy parent if I suggest to his teacher that he effectively becomes a free reader now, rather than struggling with this stage of the reading scheme?

Ah, those last few books, I remember them seeming like a major hurdle with DD1. She really stalled towards the end of the reading scheme at her school (Incidentally with may more levels, so [envy) at yours) and was struggling to find the time to read her own books for pleasure because of the dratted things. At the time she must have been well into a level 4 ability-wise, so I had a word with her teacher who said yes, she could become a free reader - a joyous day! Have a word, the last thing you want is any emerging love of reading quashed by tedious scheme books. Good luck.

We use the Treetops graphic novels (up to stage 16)

Hmmmm... I'd question being a 'free reader' in Year 2, in fact, even in Year 3 or 4! There are so many other skills to reading like inferencing and not just barking at print. At our school we use the Project X (Oxford Press) and Big Cat schemes that go right up to Yr6. They are fab- lots of graphic novel style texts, as well as an exciting mixture of fiction and non-fiction.

Agree with you Lovecheese about not wanting to quash a love of reading, but to move off a reading scheme so early on means missing out on the actual teaching of reading!

does he not read any book outside of school? I'd just plow through the school ones and get to a libary/bookstore for inspiration on other titles

I let the children read anything (within reason) once they've finished lime books. Love of reading is my aim at this stage, plus an intention to extend their reading material. At the moment, the boys in my Y2 class are enjoying the Beast Quest series (out and out favourite), Captn Underpants, Horrid Henry, Roald Dahl, Jeremy Armstrong....

I don't really see the difference of reading a book from a scheme or one from a shelf in a library if they are a similar level.

For the boys who just want to read the football pages of the paper, we come to an agreement - at least one fiction book to be read and discussed each week at home.

Read Write Inc has had a phenomenal effect on reading levels this year (I was very cynical when we introduced it in October) and nearly half the class are already lime+ (all benchmarked). I'm truly amazed - and the children are all so keen to read.

riojaguzzler, i fully agree with not moving off a reading scheme TOO early but my own DD was at the end of Y4 - it was definitely the right time for her.

Also, from what you say op, there are some skills that need developing. Reading is about far more than fluency isn't it? Whilst I agree that he def needs to read books that appeal to him, in order to do well in English generally he needs to read a wide range of genres. Character development might not appeal to him, but he needs to get to grips with it. That's why I guess there needs to be a balance between what he chooses to read and what you/the school chooses. Children who only ever read their choice and when this choice is limited can struggle when reading fluency is assumed as a given and the higher order skills of reading are being developed. I speak from years of experience in the upper end of ks2, and working with good readers.

Different schools have a differing policy of when to change children to free reading. At our school, it was when children have completed stage 8 of Ginn All Aboard, so most children were be free reading by Y3. However, they would not be at a level where they could pick up any children's book at cope with it.

When dd1 was in Y2 she was one of the first to change to free reading, and was in a class of not particularly early readers. She hated the transition, and the Y2 classroom was not geared up to free readers. There were very few books, and I remember when she bought home Paddington Bear by Michael Bond. She had been so proud to be a free reader, and was then so deflated to get a book that was far too hard and old fashioned for her. In the end we used paired reading to finish the book, where she would read one page and I would finish the chapter.

Another book in Y2 was Dinosaur Trouble, a Dick King Smith book with a character in it that has a huge vocabulary. Dd1 found that book terribly difficult too. It would be fine as a read aloud book, but not really suitable for a 6 year old to read alone.

Funnily enough, in the Y3 classroom the free reading library had far more appropriate books, including a hotch potch of advanced reading scheme titles such as TreeTops, and she much preferred reading these appropriate books.

By the time dd2 had joined the school, the Y2 library had been sorted out, and there were age appropriate books there.

The move to tighter text, smaller font, smaller pictures is a tricky one I think, and it comes again when they move from the shorter paper back to fatter, dense ones.
For my son the Astrosaurs series and then Beastquest series were really helpful - he became utterly engrossed. Jack Stalwart can also be a good bridge. Early Dick Kings Smiths also have a reasonable number of pictures, and non-scary fonts.

Thanks for all the responses. Some food for thought. I guess the point I didn't make clear was that the books at his level are not reading scheme books - they are "real" books - but just not ones that engage him at all. And because the books are so long (even with me getting him to read 3 pages and then finishing the chapter) we are stuck with them for a couple of weeks before we can finish them - which seems too long to be reading something you hate!! I do accept the point that he does needs to be exposed to a variety of genre but was thinking (I guess) that he would get some of that in guided reading at school plus he is only in Y2 so it was as important at this stage to be enjoying reading and building up his confidence slowly.

I think I need to have a chat with his teacher (if I can get hold of her- which is another story ...).