would you consider this progress?

[greenrock]

I can't believe I'm starting a thread about reading but thought I might get some perspective from you before going into school. My DS came up to Y1 with a 9 in maths, reading and writing from Reception. A parent who helps with reading in school told me that he was moved down reading levels when he started Y1 as he seemed to be struggling a bit - I was fine with that.

A few months ago I told his teacher that I was concerned about a lack of progress in his reading and she reassured me that he was doing well. Today he has a new book that he says he has read before so I looked through his reading record and have found that he had the book in November. It's clearly a mistake that the book has been put in but the book is the same level as the one he got last week so the level is the right one.

Shouldn't the teacher be concerned about a child who hasn't moved level since November?

Should have said that he started Y1 in Stage 6 ORT and is now on Stage 7.

It's not brilliant progress.

Do you feel like he's made any progress thus year? Has his reading at home improved?

It could be a mistake, but there may be a good reason for the level of book. Maybe your child needs a confidence boost by reading a familar book. Maybe they decode it well, but struggle with comprehension and an easier book means they can focus on that rather than the actual decoding. Or you may be right that your child has reached plateau with their reading and need a push. I would suggest a quick chat with the teacher to find out how you can help (and subtly hint to the teacher you are concerned about the level of the book).
PS I'm sure you know many children have peaks and troughs in their reading progress. 9 on FSP is high, Level 7 above "average" at this time of year. I have experience of children coming in at Stage 4 easily achieving level 3c by Spring term Y2, so maybe its a temporary stalling?

Thanks. I have put it down to temporary stalling but I now feel it has gone on a bit too long. I would have thought the school would have shown some concern too.

He is very reluctant to read his school books at home but he does read to himself every night before going to bed (at the moment he is reading the Happy Family books).

I have got a similar issue. Ds flew through reading levels in reception and now has only moved up one level all year 1, despite the fact that at home he can read and understand far harder books. I get the feeling because he is still 'ahead' no-one notices his lack of progress this year or no-one cares....

That's exactly my worry. His teacher has listened to him read five times since December. Three of those were group reading sessions. I asked DS if he does more group reading and the teacher perhaps hasn't been recording it in his record. He said the teacher only does group reading with the 'young ones'.

I have similar concerns about his writing - so little improvement since Reception.

Having said all this, he is happy at school so I'm trying not to get too anxious about it all.

is there a parents eve coming up? If not, find teacher at a good moment and ask how he's doing and let her explain - could be a lot better than you imagine. If not satisfied then explain your concerns and 'if there's anything I can be doing at home to support his learning'. Maybe press her on the policy/system for monitoring progress - hopefully there is one! They should have a target for him and be able to say where he is in relation to that for the end of year reports.