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Primary education

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

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Original poster

DS(yr2) finishing his "read at home book" before he gets home....

16 replies

simpson · 27/02/2012 22:18

DS seems to be finishing his reading book for the week before he gets home (probably while the rest of his group are doing guided reading).

So this means when I read it with him (again - which he is more than happy to do) he already knows what is going to happen etc which rather limits the discussion on the book, although we do talk about how particular characters may be feeling etc...

Is it worth having a quick word with the teacher or should I just carry on supplementing his reading with library books (which I already do)???

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mrsbaffled · 27/02/2012 22:43

I would put a small note in DS's reading record, and supplement with library books (and discuss those).

Perhaps you can get him to work on expression and fluency when reading the school book, rather than discussing what he thinks is going to happen. Also you could get him to talk about his favourite character. Would he write a few sentences about the book?..... What happens/did he like it/what is the main character like?....

Original poster

simpson · 27/02/2012 22:55

Thanks for the good ideas I think he would love to write a bit about the books.

Also, he was assessed by his teacher back in oct at 2 levels higher than he is on now (unfortunately the teacher left in dec) so I don't know if I should ask why he is not on higher ones (but not in a pushy way ).

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Iamnotminterested · 27/02/2012 23:09

Why don't you send him to school with a library/book from home to read during wet play etc and ask him to wait to read his school book with you? DD has done this since year 1 and it works well.

jicky · 27/02/2012 23:14

Is this his reading scheme book or a school library book?

If its just the library book I wouldn't say anything. Children at our school pick them and ds (also year 2) often comes back with ones he's read already or we own. Normally he reads it to himself now.

If it is the reading scheme is it really only one a week? I would be questioning that if nothing else. If you think it is too easy (& I think it must be to be able to read it all at school) talk to the teacher. Lots of children look at the pictures before reading the book which makes asking them to predict tricky (well my sons all have at times & the children I hear read at school do too)

mercibucket · 27/02/2012 23:21

we just get one a week, and they read it at school as well, so the novelty factor is well and truly gone. there are great advantages to this - you can either just pretend to have read the stupid thing together and get on with reading something more interesting, or read it quickly and get on with reading something more interesting.
if his level has dropped, it's probably just a mistake so ask why and he'll probably be moved up again

Original poster

simpson · 27/02/2012 23:31

It is the reading book not the library book.

He is on chapter books too (so has read maybe 6/8 chapters depending on the book) while the others are reading.

He does understand the plot too (as he goes on and on and on about it, you get the picture!!!)

His level has never dropped, he has never been on the correct one (which has been a battle tbvh with the school since reception).

Part of me does think "oh good, we have got that book out of the way" but tbh he is moaning that they are too easy so I think I will pluck up the courage to see the teacher...

Iamnotinterested - that's a good idea, I might suggest that, thanks

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jicky · 27/02/2012 23:41

But what is he meant to be doing while the others are reading? Or do they all read their books in school too?

I'm trying to see how my ds could or anyone else in his class would have time to read a whole book while at school.

If he thinks they are too easy at least when you go in to talk if the teacher says they are not you can ask her what it is he needs to achieve to move up levels. Then you know what to work on.

Original poster

simpson · 27/02/2012 23:53

All the top group are reading different books/on different levels.

He is the only one on chapter books.

He is like me in that he seems to read incredibly quickly but still take it all in.

So when they all read (guided reading) I guess the others read their books iyswim.

Jicky - You are right on what to ask for re moving up levels thanks

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blackeyedsusan · 28/02/2012 00:02

dd is supposed to do some "book reports" on the books she reads. (loads of guidance ther mr headteacher) they send home some comprehemnsion sheets, though I usually do something as well or do something with the books we read at home.

you do not necessarily have to do all the skills needed from the school books, you can do predictin the story with previously unread library books, this skill from this, that skill from that. does he get any non fiction books?

Original poster

simpson · 28/02/2012 00:36

no, no non fiction books unfortunately as he would probably prefer those

His reading has really taken off in the last 3mths and I do get library books for him to read/predict what is going to/might happen etc....

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feetheart · 28/02/2012 06:46

Think you are going to have to be 'pushy'.
I would go and see the teacher and say what you have said here. See what they say.
We have had to 'push' school re DD (now Yr4) who has made ridiculously slow progress through the book bands inspite of high assessed levels. She was finally moved on to 'free reading' yesterday after a struggle by both of us! I only got involved when DD started to get frustrated/upset at the progress of others including her Yr1 brother who was catching her up . His teachers/TAs are on the ball and he has been progressing at an appropriate speed!

Wish I had got stroppy on DD's behalf earlier as her, very limited, confidence has taken a knock :(

Runoutofideas · 28/02/2012 07:48

Simpson - my dd1 is similar to your ds. She has now pretty much read every chapter book in her classroom so I send her in with books from home - Famous Fives, Roald Dahls etc which she reads to herself at quiet reading time. The teacher is happy with this.

mrsbaffled · 28/02/2012 08:21

I have several times told school (in reading record) he has made a lot of progress over the holidays (for example) and would they mind reassessing his level. School has been fine about it.

Original poster

simpson · 28/02/2012 08:29

He reads The Secret 7 etc at home, not quite got the Famous 5 yet....

feetheart - that is my fear tbh. He has been relatively happy until now but has started to complain about the books and maths (sums) as being too easy.

Will tell the TA that I wish to have a word with the teacher tomorrow (cannot do it today as DS has got an after school club).

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learnandsay · 28/02/2012 10:36

The problem with sending children to school with library books is that they can get lost and then you're in trouble. I buy second hand children's books at every available opportunity. They can go to school, get torn, get lost and whatever and it doesn't matter.

I reckon you're onto a winner if your son is ahead with his reading. How about inventing a sequel to the story with him, even if it's only a short one. Write it together. If you have time send a little analysis with it explaining why you wrote it the way that you did.

Original poster

simpson · 28/02/2012 11:58

I have made an appt to talk to the teacher tomorrow (as he has an after school club today).

I am going to mention the reading the book at school before he gets home first, then mention the actual book level I think....

I also need to mention his numeracy too

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