Can a teacher please tell me what level this would be marked at?

[muffinflop]

This is exactly how it was written

*

The magic dragon

Once upon a time there was a magic dragon. He had 5 eyes, 3 mouths and 89 feet.

People kept running away from him! But they didnt know that he was a magic dragon.

The next day he had a thought about everything that had happened. Just then he said hmm I know I will cast a spell on them. That worked and then they all liked him.

Also, how many NC levels are children 'expected' to improve between September and July (ie a school year)?

Thanks!

How would you level this then
It was written after a drama workshop based on the funny bones stories but the child's own story not a simple retelling

On a dark, dark night two skeletons went to Buckingham Palace to scare the Queen. They crept up behind her and yelled "BOO" Then the Queen jumped out of her throne and screamed ... she turned around and when she saw the skeletons she screamed again. When she recovered they made friends so the Queen said "Come and have tea with me". So they did.
Then the little skeleton told a really funny joke. It was so funny that they laughed their heads off (so did the Queen).
Soon it was time to go "Bye" shouted the skeletons and off they went.
When they got home they decided to order pizza and chips and they ate it all up. They brushed their teeth and went to bed.
"What shall we do tomorrow?" asked the little skeleton.
"Wait and see" whispered the big skeleton and switched off the light.

or

Are you getting sick of dragons demolishing our school?
If so don't worry help is at hand. Follow these simple instructions and the dragon will be defeated.

You will need
A magic spade
A brown sheet
Some leaves and twigs
A huge piece of tasty meat

First did a deep pit.
Next cover the pit with the brown sheet.
Then gently sprinkle the cloth with leaves and twigs.
Finally carefully place the tasty meat on top.

Now tiptoe to a nearby tree to wait for the dragon.
Eventually the dragon will be unable to resist and will fall into the pit WALLOP!
In the blink of an eye the dragon is vanquished!

Oh Mrz thank you for those! I loed them! The little skeletons brushing their teeth!

What fantastic pieces of writing

I wouldn't get too hung up on boys not doing the right sort of writing at Y1 or 2 - many boys are like this, but it all falls into place as they get older. When they are little they get excited writing exciting stories and don't worry about the small details like punctuation, connectives, etc. They can be taught to do this as they get older (I have personal experience with DS )

both pieces have been externally moderated at level 2

I don't remember anything about levels when I was at school, apart from SATs in year 6. I was never told I was working at a particular level, and neither were my parents told. Reports were just about strengths and weaknesses without levels on. This was in the 1990s.

So I just wanted to ask teachers, is this a relatively new thing? Because of government pressure to drive up standards, or something?

Moreover, do you agree it's necessary, or is it more hassle/paperwork than it's worth?

Just wondering. :)

Year 2 classes are externally moderated to see if teachers are accurately levelling work

State schools have to report levels at the end of Key Stages by law but some choose to report each year

squidgy - where I work the connectives First, Then, After that, Next, Finally are taught from the start of Y1 and throughout the year.

I would expect children to use First, next, then, after that and finally taught/used in instruction writing in Y1 if not in reception

Very interesting thread. I'm very curious to see what my DD gets for her grades at the end of the year 2. I'm impressed with the level 2 work. There is no way the standards were this high from the country we came from and I really am starting to wonder about the consistency in grading across schools listening to everyone. I am told DD is heading for 2b/2a but seeing these examples she would have to be do something very very different to at home to get them (i know that could be the case but I would be surprised if it was at that level). I would be really chuffed if she could write something like the level 2's. (That's progress for me because talking to other mums level 2 sounded rather disappointing and I had taken that on board a bit )

I'm amazed that the piece about the dragon is only a level 2. What would they have had to do to get a level 3 ? Spelling is nearly perfect, vocabulary is ambitious and correctly used, punctuation is pretty accurate, logic and flow of the instructions are clear. Honestly, I'm intrigued.

His handwriting is absolutely amazing too singergirl I wish I could add pictures.

So what would she have had to do to get a level 3?

He would have needed to include more detail

First did a deep pit, large enough to contain a dragon.
Next cover the pit with the brown sheet, so that the dragon can't see it.
Then gently sprinkle the cloth with leaves and twigs to camouflage the hole .
Finally carefully place the tasty meat on top to entice the dragon into the trap.

Now tiptoe silently to a nearby tree to wait patiently for the dragon to arrive.
Eventually the dragon will be unable to resist the tasty meat and will fall into the pit WALLOP!
In the blink of an eye this annoying^ dragon is vanquished!

He will get there fairly soon no doubt

mrz - what age were the kids that wrote those 2 stories?

I'm in Scotland - so not sure what yr 1 and yr2 etc are. I'm now a bit worried about my ds (just turned 7) - there's no way he could have written all that down - though he could waffle on like that vocally!

Indigo

I agree that there seems to be complete inconsistency in the scoring and in some cases it seems to be done to prove that the child is progressing. My DS has been assessed as a level 1B for writing in preparation for his EP visit. He is in Year 1. He has no imagination in his writing. He was a P8 on starting reception and has dyspraxia and suspected ASD.

This is an example of a plan that he did in preparation for doing a drawing:

pLan
FisT puT The blak bobl on as The nose
Secy puT Two bobls as Theeyes

What would work at that level be marked as in your view ladies?

They are both in Y2 one was 7 and the other was 6 when the piece was written

Ben10 - in some cases it seems to be done to prove that the child is progressing.

Unfortunately this is my experience as well.

If a child started the year at a 1c then they must be a 1a by the end of the year - therefore this work must be a 1a :(

Which does not necessarily mean I'm blaming the teachers. Marking is not anywhere near an exact science. I think they sometimes genuinely think there must have been progress (cognitive bias) and therefore inflate the grade :(

Either way, our kids get screwed though......

OMG mrz - both boys?? I must work with ds and get him to get up to scratch!!