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Rant Alert! Y4 DS wants to be a 'free' reader...

5 replies

BogeyNights · 08/03/2012 14:36

Have spoken to his teacher and am told that he's not quite loud enough when reading and when he's got louder he can choose any book he likes to read. At the moment he has to pick colour coded level reading books from the library. Most are pretty turgid and dull, and that's his opinion (but my word, I love the word 'turgid') anyhow...

He's not a 'loud' person. He's pretty shy in a group situation but alright one to one. I listen to him read and he's great, takes a page to get 'warmed up' and then he's flowing really well. He can understand what's being said in the text, gets the gist of a story and can use expression too. He's a good reader and enjoys reading to us and to himself. His SENCo says he's got the reading age of a 10 year old.

Teacher told us at parents evening that he lacks confidence and self esteem. There are two things he is good at at school; spelling and reading. Maths he struggles with and getting creative ideas down on paper. Would I be out of place to point out that maybe by encouraging my DS in things that he doesn't struggle with it may give him more confidence elsewhere in the curriculum. Maybe this is a AIBU, but I thought I'd put this rant in education.

Thanks for reading.

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learnandsay · 08/03/2012 14:43

Do you think being loud has nothing to do with being able to read? (I do.) Sounds irrelevant to me, a bit like declaring the winner of the running race to be the first one to cross the finish line who's wearing black-soled running shoes.

I'd ask the teacher to make sure my child had more suitable books to read. And if she won't I'd ask someone more co-operative in her school to get the books.

ohmygosh123 · 08/03/2012 15:03

I would tell them that he is feeling discouraged because he can't be a free reader - agree a "goal' for him to meet with them for him to become a free reader so the teacher doesn't lose face (make them be specific - what constitutes louder ......and what's wrong with having a quiet voice anyway), talk to him about it (if you do x they will let you be a free reader), help him do it, and then hopefully his cnfidence will go up a bit. Very annoying - but if you hit a brick wall, how about asking for the senco's opinion to be taken into account?

ohmygosh123 · 08/03/2012 15:03

sorry "confidence"

Chopstheduck · 08/03/2012 15:10

My boys don't much like their school books. We just read what they want to read at home, and save school books for at school. When the teacher complained that he hadn't read for over a month, we explained that he does read, every day, and she just let us write down whatever he does read in his reading diary. It's more important that they do read, rather than follow the school scheme.

Regarding the self esteem, I'd look at something like martial arts or a drama group to help bring him out of his shell a bit. DT1 did a year of drama classes, and it helped him no end.

BogeyNights · 08/03/2012 15:50

Thanks. Yes, a definitive (but short) list of requirements is required. I shall get on to that...
And Chops, I have often thought of drama, so maybe I should take the plunge and get him signed up for something.

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