Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

anyone aware of what the reading levels are for KS2

16 replies

Shhhh · 14/03/2011 16:30

Dd in yr 1, I think thats KS2. I need to know how the colour banding goes for reading..?

ie red/blue/orange etc

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
squashpie · 14/03/2011 16:36

Yr 1 is KS1. Not sure about book banding but the link below (sorry - can't make it work, you'll have to cut and paste), gives you some idea.

www.readingchest.co.uk/book-bands

However, IME some kids in DS's class are way above the expected level and others well below. HTH

Original poster
Shhhh · 14/03/2011 16:38

Blush thanks Smile.
Yes, meant ks1. (makes sense..!)

Will look at link now. I gather the class will be at different levels but just curious as to where dd is compared to others... Thanks btw x

OP posts:
Marne · 14/03/2011 16:38

Year 1 is still key stage 1 (year 2 is key satge 3).

Dd1 (is in year 2 and just turned 7), she's free reader, a few of her friends are on orange and purple, not sure if there is a level for the year as children work at different levels to their ability.

Marne · 14/03/2011 16:39

dd's in year 1 (sorry)

overmydeadbody · 14/03/2011 16:42

Why does it matter?

It doesn't matter. Unless a child is seriously behind and needs extra help, it really doesn't matter.

The important thing is that they enjoy books.

squashpie · 14/03/2011 16:45

It matters to the OP and that's what matters. The OP will only know whether or not her DC is far behind if she knows what level she's on. The OP didn't ask for opinions; she asked for pointers.

mrz · 14/03/2011 17:13

Year 2 is KS1 not KS3 ...

Children in Y1 could be anywhere from pink to lime book bands and all are perfectly fine.

Original poster
Shhhh · 14/03/2011 18:26

Thankyou for that squashpie Smile.
Overmydeadbody, squashpie is right. It doesn't bother me what level dd is on, IMO she is on a level for a reason be it ahead or behind others BUT I wanted to know how the coloured banding worked so I am familiar with where she is up to in and also in relation to her classmates.

Therfor, I able to give her the relevant support etc.

I have looked at that link SP and found it vey useful. Anyone any experience of the book scheme they offer.? Looks good idea.. I also think they are what are used in schools, im pretty sure dd has brought books home from oxford reading tree as well as the floppy books.

OP posts:
squashpie · 14/03/2011 22:17

The reading chest does look good. I also liked the fact that you can get books from other reading schemes (and know which equivalent level they are), which I thought would broaden my DC reading skills, vocab etc. In the end, though, I actually bought various reading scheme books (in packs from Amazon) because I thought my younger DS would benefit from them too eventually and then i could hand them onto my sister and her children.

lovecheese · 15/03/2011 11:54

Have used Reading Chest, squashy, highly recommended.

Original poster
Shhhh · 15/03/2011 17:43

Thats good to know lovecheese...

Have been thinking today about buying more books for dd and ds (he starts school in sept). Just been looking on amazon as well squashpie (before I read this thread!) and thought about buying the packs. They seem good as well but its the fact that you end up with the books iykwim.. our home atm is breeding books Hmm Good in the fact it means the kids always have books about to read and look at BUT I hate to think how many we will have by the time they are at secondary level!

lovecheese,the reading chest books.. could you exchange/swap for a lower level or do they automatically exchange for the level you are on or higher..?

Just though I could start it for dd now and then as ds starts school I could then swap some of dd's books for lower ones iykwim..

Also, are the books used or are they new each time.?

OP posts:
mrz · 15/03/2011 17:50

I've just bought some complete packs of Songbirds from the bookpeople (rep in school box) for £16 instead if the normal £128.85 to top up our school home readers (replacing lost and damaged books)

Highlander · 15/03/2011 18:28

we do Reading Chest, as DS1's teacher won't move him up beyond the KS1 band (orange).

Zettelbox · 15/03/2011 18:31

Shhhh The way reading chest works is that they send you 6 reading books and two envelopes to post back the books when you've finished. You choose which reading schemes you want and the level, and whether you want fiction or non-fiction. You can join for two children and be sent half your books at one level and half at another.

When you've read the books, you return them in the pre-paid envelope. They then send you some more (as many as you returned). The books aren't brand new as they're used by all the members, but they're in lovely condition and make a good contrast to the condition of school books.

I am a big fan of reading chest - I have a child in reception who started using the books over Christmas and a child starting reception next year who's just started to get books. They're very efficient in terms of quality of books, availability of the schemes we want and turn-around time. It's made a huge difference to DS1's reading ability and confidence that he has access to a whole load of phonic schemes.

mrz unfortunately it looks like the songbirds offer isn't available online :(

lovecheese · 15/03/2011 22:08

Shhh - they are very flexible, you can alter the book band as often as you like just by logging on (Once you are subscribed) and clicking.

Original poster
Shhhh · 17/03/2011 16:02

ohh very interesting.. Just trying to explain it to dh and to tell him its a good scheme!
Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page