Rollercoaster reading schemes

[cakeandcustard]

My DS is getting towards the end of his reception year and I have no idea how well he is doing with his reading.

He gets 1 or 2 reading books home a week along with a reading record notebook for comments. These books are taken from the Biff and Chip scheme or newer 'Read Write Inc' Phonics books. However the level can range from a level 1+ on Biff and Chip to a level 4C on Read Write Inc. Last week we had a level 3 and this week a level 1B?

He always has new books each week, I know if they struggle then the same book gets sent home repeatedly until they can read it fluently. I've only had comments such as 'well read' or 'excellent use of expression' in his notebook.

Am I to assume if they have lowered the level of book they've sent home then he has struggled somehow - but he doesn't seem to have a problem at home? Surely in order to progress then he should have a book aimed at a suitable level for his ability?

I have tried to raise this with his teacher and this results in a hard book being sent home the following week and then back to the normal ups and downs. Is this just the school being crap - should I just carry on regardless and read what we like at home?

He sounds like hes doing well and the levels sound about right for this stage, my little girl is at the end of year one and only just on stage 2 of oxford reading tree (biff chip etc)

Im not sure why they are sending home level 3 and then changing to a 1b perhaps they are just trying him to see how he gets on

My DD is in reception and her school don't use ORT. Instead, they have something called "reading recovery levels". She is on level 7/8. Can anyone advise how this compares to the average attainment expected at the the end of YR?

Also, how do reading recovery levels compare to the ORT levels? It's frustrating not being able to compare.

I think they were trying him out madmum but then wrote in his book that he read it really well - so I don't know why they don't give him some more at that level?

I find it frustrating not to be able to compare the different schemes either - I'm not sure what level is expected at his age?

cakeandcustard They sound like the really old ORT books before book bands were introduced I really don't think that the two systems are comparable. but if you want to gauage where he is currently it may be worth access sites such as:
www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Library/Index or
www.mumsnet.com/learning/ebooks

Both of these offer book banded free ebooks.

Campaspe My DD's school uses reading recovery levels and she is also in reception. According to her teacher that is a good level of achievement in reading. The link below may help

www.school-portal.co.uk/GroupDownloadFile.asp?GroupId=976642&ResourceId=4032623