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Primary education

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Reading problems - school not aware/helping

8 replies

WheresTheCat · 18/11/2011 21:23

DSD is really struggling with her reading (she always has done, but her progress has pretty much stopped over the last year)
She is in Year 5.
She can sight read short words, but struggles with any word over 4 letters that she's not familiar with. She doesn't know the meaning of many words, and can't summarise/explain what she's read. She reads with no expression at all - doesn't notice full stops/commas etc. She has little comprehension of what she reads
Her spelling is also not good, even for common words.

At parents' evening she was told her reading and spelling were 'OK' and that there were no problems.

She's very good at avoidance tactics (!) and because she is a quiet, polite little girl she gets overlooked. She will sometimes 'read' holding the books upside down, or stare at the same page for ages, or just turn pages - to look as though she's reading, and I don't think her teacher notices because she's quiet and doing what she's told.

Any suggestions - I'm worrying about her progress in reading, and she's starting to not want to read for pleasure.

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fivegomadindorset · 18/11/2011 21:26

You go back to the teacher and say actually they are not OK, and go from there. When was the last time the teacher heard her read?

WheresTheCat · 18/11/2011 21:31

The teacher listens to her read once a week, but according to DSD this is whilst she's doing something else so not relaly paying attention.
I can't go back to the teacher as I am not one of her parents. DH is seeing the teacher next week.

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fivegomadindorset · 18/11/2011 21:40

Tell him to tell the teacher what you have written down here, DD is 5 (Y1) and we are working on experession etc. I would be very concerned if she got to Y5 and was not able to do that. Could he take him some samples of written work that worries you. Do you think she may be dyslexic? Mention that and see what they say.

Keep at it, I have worked with children who arrive at secondary school with reading ages as low as aged 5.

Is her mother worried at all?

WheresTheCat · 18/11/2011 21:44

DH and I have been jotting down concerns - otherwise he is likely to go in and get angry - which won't help at all.
To me, it doesn't seem like dyslexia, more that she's missed out on key stuff early in literacy, and is struggling now - for example, basic spellings, basic words.

Unfortunately Mum spends very little time with her on school work, checking her books yesterday it doesn't seem as though Mum has heard her read at all this term.

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fivegomadindorset · 18/11/2011 21:45

Oh and if you are not happy with the reply, keep niggling, ask to see the SENCO and express your concerns.

WheresTheCat · 19/11/2011 20:35

Thanks Five - I want to do something now so she's not in this position in Year 6 and struggling at secondary school.

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maizieD · 19/11/2011 21:24

If the school can't offer some *good phonics based teaching to help her catch up (which she has clearly missed out on if she can't work out what unfamiliar words 'say') can you afford a private tutor?

Reading is far too vital a skill for problems to be left unaddressed.

*If they offer a programme called 'Catch Up', or ELS or ALS, look for that private tutor Wink

WheresTheCat · 19/11/2011 21:50

We wouldn't be able to afford a tutor, but I do spend time doing reading and literacy stuff with her when we have her, which is only every other weekend.
I want her to see reading as fun though, so don't want to make it a chore.

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