Reading - please help me understand levels, bands, stages...

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Hi hope someone could help me I'm after some probably quite basis advice but feel a bit lost.

My DS started reception in September and is reading ORT books amongst others. He has been taking part in an intervention group for his literacy for the past couple of weeks along with other children and although we were told there was no great problem, he obviously could benefit from extra help. It works out at only an hour a week with the group.

This is our first child at school so it is unfamiliar ground to us but I am wanting to help him by giving him extra material at the right level. I think I need to understand the levels, bands and stages of ORT and am struggling despite looking online and buying a Read at Home and Floppy's Phonics sets from the Book People. I feel he does need a bit of guidance and encouragement from me/DH but can't seem to match up titles of books and find out which level they are. A friend (possibly competitive) asked DH how he was getting on and what stage he was at and he couldn't answer the last part. Parents eve is end of Feb but until then could anyone advise. Many thanks.

Sorry basic advice!

The back of the reading scheme books usually say something like Oxford Reading Tree level 1+ book band pink.

Have you looked at the free ebooks in MN learning section and at Oxford Owl?
You really shouldn't need to buy anything.
Use magnetic letters or cards to blend and segment words for reading and spelling. Make up your own sentences together to read and write
There is lots of advice at Phonics International, Sounds Write
phonicsplay.co.uk/Phase2Menu.htm

If she can only read 90% of the words on her own, then I would say that is challenging enough.

PS To the OP I'd beware of the ORT sets from the book people as they seem to be offloading all the "look and guess" titles which will not help your child with learning to read properly.

If it doesn't say phonics it is likely to be one of the older Look & Say books

It would help if you could say what level ORT he is bringing home and whether he is able to read them or not. But I would recommend (depending on his level):

www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-Jolly-Phonics-Read-See/dp/1903619246

Read and see Jolly Phonics books - this will practise sounds, including digraphs (like ee, oo, oa etc). I think you need to get 2 packs, I've linked to the 1st pack.

I would advise against getting read at home ORT books. I would instead subscribe to Reading Chest. You tell them what band you want and they send you books, when finished you send them back. Rather like an online library but you pay a monthly subscription and then postage/book swaps are free - google Reading Chest. They will send you not only ORT books from your chosen level, but also ones for other schemes.

My DS struggled in reception but now he's fine in Y1, in fact he's doing well - I do reading chest with him.

Here are the bands:

www.readingchest.co.uk/book-bands

HTH

Go to the library and ask the librarian to help you with choices of books. All variety of books will help and lets your child see books presented in different ways
I wouldnt buy ORT for home reading, there are more interesting books available to make your child want to read

Unless the librarian is very clued up about phonics teaching I doubt if they would be much help in advising on books for a YR child (who seems to be struggling a little) to read for themselves.

On the other hand, they should be good on books to read with and to a child..

Has he brought home a book from school yet? As that will tell you the level and then you match it up to the "read at home" books you have already purchased.

I have two boys already at school and I also read with their classes. The most important thing at this stage is a good understanding of the phonics as this is what he will use to build up his word knowledge.

My boys have taken to reading (writing is a WHOLE other issue!!) and I always try and make it fun. I have post-it notes on the youngest ds wardrobe with his latest words to learn and we lie in bed at night and "spot" the word. Maybe you could do that with the phonics?

I agree about knowing the phonics really well, my eldest DS knew his phonics so well by 3 yrs he could automatically read any phonetically built word which at the lower book band levels is mainly all they use plus a few frequently used words such as the, they. It was then easy to teach him the other reading rules such as the silent 'e' etc. My youngest DS is the opposite and has no interest yet in phonics or reading on his own (starting school Sep 12) so I just read with him every day and eventually he will want to start reading by himself!

The reading chest website is really good and shows you sample pages of each book band so it would be quite easy to match up the right level of books.

The librarians are really no use, I was after some reading books for my DS as he needed some very young themed books but for a higher reading age - her response was just let him read what he wants and could give no information about which books related to which levels. On amazon there are an amazing set of reading books that are about well known childrens characters such as Spiderman, Superman, Batman so great for holding the interest for boys!!!